MVT: Ottoman Taverna To Debut Weekday Lunch Service On June 7th

Turkish-born restaurateur Hakan Ilhan is pleased to announce that Ottoman Taverna, the newly opened restaurant located at 425 I Street, NW, will launch weekday lunch service on June 7^th.  Lunch will be served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM in the spacious 136-seat main dining room, which overlooks the exhibition kitchen.  Ottoman Taverna’s a la carte menu will showcase Corbalar & Salatalar, or “Soups & Salads”, Soguk Mezeler, or “Cold Meze”, Pideler, or “Flatbread's”, Sandviçler Ve Tost Çesitleri, or “Panini and Sandwiches, as well as Ana Yemekler, or “Lunch Entrées” offering fresh, wholesome lunchtime options that are wallet and diet friendly.

 

Capturing the true flavors of Ottoman cuisine, dishes are sure to please with a selection of Soups & Salads with highlights such as Kirmizi Mercimek Çorbasi, red lentil soup with onions, tomatoes and paprika oil; Yayla Çorbasi, yogurt soup with a variety of herbs and rice; Çoban Salatasi, shepherd salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, grated feta cheese and marinated olives; Greek Salad, romaine hearts, beets, red onion, olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, lemon and oregano dressing, as well as Turkish Tabbouleh, served with fine couscous, tomato paste, fresh herbs and garden vegetables.  Soups &Salads are priced from $8 to $11.75 each.

A selection of Cold Meze will also be available and include standouts such as Çerkez Tavuğu, Carcashian chicken, walnut, garlic and paprika oil; Saksuka, crispy zucchini, eggplant and bell peppers, served over a tomato and mint yogurt sauce; Zeytinyağli Enginar, slow cooked artichoke hearts, carrots, peas and potatoes; Muhammara, red peppers, walnuts and olive oil, as well as Haydari, French labneh yogurt flavored with toasted walnuts, mint and dill oil.  Cold Mezze are priced from $7 to $12 each.

Ottoman Taverna’s mouth-watering flatbread's are sure to tempt lunch-goers during an afternoon feast.  Highlights include the Kekikli Keçi Peynirli Pide, flatbread with goat cheese, fresh thyme and oven-roasted tomato, served with arugula and marinated red onions; Sucuklu Pide, flatbread with spicy lamb sausage and cow’s milk cheese, served with arugula and marinated red onions, as well as Lahmacun, crispy thin flat dough topped with ground lamb and special spices, served with lettuce and tomatoes.  Flatbread's are priced $11.75 to $12 each.

An assortment of paninis and sandwiches will also appear on Ottoman Taverna’s lunchtime menu.  Highlights include the Kaşarlı & Sucuklu Tost, kashkaval cheese and sucuk panini; Yengen Tost, kashkaval cheese, tomato, arugula and scallion panini; Falafel Sandwich, chickpea fritters, served with pickled cabbage, lettuce, tomato, onion, yogurt & dill sauce; Döner Dürüm, thinly sliced crispy beef & lamb döner kebab, tomato, lettuce, spiced onion, yogurt sauce, served with Turkish tortilla, as well as Adana Dürüm, spiced ground lamb & beef, tomato, lettuce, onion and pepper sauce wrapped with a Turkish-style tortilla.  Paninis and sandwiches are priced between $9 and $12.25 each.

Photo: Rey Lopez

Entrées are just as enticing and include the Kasap Köfte, spiced ground beef köfte with parsley, onions and herbs; Kayseri Mantısı, Grand Moms’ ravioli stuffed with ground beef served with garlic yogurt, dill & paprika butter; Tavuk DönerKebab, thinly sliced chicken döner kebab, served with rice pilaf and onion salad; Sumaklı Salmon, sumac crusted salmon, Turkish tabbouleh and sautéed spinach, and the Karnıbahar, cauliflower stew, tomatoes, cipollini onions and parsley.  Entrées are priced from $14 to $17.25.

Ottoman Taverna is located at 425 I (Eye) Street, NW, (on 4^th Street, between K & I Streets).

Dinner is served Sunday and Monday 4 PM to 10 PM Tuesday through Thursday, from 4 PM to 10 PM, and Friday and Saturday, from 4 PM to 10 PM
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday, from 11 AM to 3 PM
Lunch will debut June 7^th and will be served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

For more information, visit http://ottomantaverna.com and for reservations, call (202) 847-0395.