MVT: Ottoman Taverna Debuts Politically Themed Cocktails, Perfect for Polling The Future President

Turkish-born restaurateur Hakan Ilhan is pleased to debut two new election-themed cocktails at his newly opened restaurant, Ottoman Taverna, located at 425 I Street, NW.

The Pant Suit

Prepared by Beverage Director Angel Cervantes, guests can opt for The Pantsuit, made from a combination of vodka, lime juice and house-made fresh peppermint shrub, topped with sparkling wine, or  The Side Sweep, made with gin, fresh muddle basil, strawberry, raspberry, lime-honey water and blue raki to help them through this tumultuous election season.Both cocktails are priced at $14 each and will be available from Tuesday, September 6^th through Election Night on Tuesday, November 8^th during both lunch and dinner service.  The restaurant will be conducting informal polling weekly to see which cocktail is outselling its lively competitor. 

The Side Sweep

 Plus, guests will also have the opportunity to learn about prediction outcomes concerning their own future as Turkish-native General Manager Nuray Karatas will offer traditional Turkish coffee readings, exclusively on Wednesdays, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. Karatas learned how to read grounds from her grandmother and carries on the tradition. Since the 17th century, inhabitants of the Levant, or the area around the Middle East and near present day Turkey, have been drinking coffee, and to this day, Turkish coffee is the most commonly served type of coffee.  "Turkish" coffee, made with finely ground, roasted Arabica beans, is strong and distinct in flavor, and its strength is often tempered by sugar. Because Turkish coffee is not filtered or strained, as the coffee is consumed, a dark, muddy sediment forms at the cup's base.  The centuries old practice of reading images in the leftover coffee grounds or in other parts of the world, the tea leaves that settle at the base of a cup is known as tasseography.  Today, the practice of reading left over coffee grounds is common throughout the Middle East, Greece, and parts of Europe and the U.S. There are several different ways to decipher and read the meaning of images in a cup of coffee. The most widely practiced traditional Turkish coffee cup reading is called fal, which literally means "fortunes."  Readings by Karatas are fun and complimentary with the purchase of a Turkish coffee, exclusively on Wednesday at dinner service.  Guests are encouraged to request a coffee reading when making a reservation.

Dinner is served Sunday and Monday, from 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 is 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.

Ottoman Taverna is located at 425 I (Eye) Street, NW

(on 4^th Street, between K & I Streets).