"Cuisine at the crossroads
January 31, 2010
As top chefs revive the dishes of empires past, Leisa Tyler tracks down Istanbul's culinary treasures.
Glasses clink as the sun slips behind a medieval stone tower. Below, groups of merry makers wind between beeping cars drivers, gridlocked in the narrow winding streets. The view, stretching over the higgledy rooftops of the ancient and chaotic city, is just as superb as the wine we are drinking - a locally grown drop from a little-known biodynamic vineyard that picked up an impressive 14 medals at Europe's wine awards last year. It is going down perfectly with a rare strain of delicately salted olives chilling on ice. Are we in Bordeaux? Reims? Florence? Welcome to Istanbul."
More:Travel guide to Istanbul restaurants and dining | Cuisine at the crossroads