Ottoman Cuisine

Ottoman Cuisine Overview

Ottoman Cuisine is located in one of the old wharf piers at Walsh Bay, Sydney's well loved theatre, dance and performance district. Slightly off the CBD restaurant track, it's an ambitous restaurant; large, quietly elegant in an understated way, comfortable and welcoming with a superb view of the harbour bridge, and the iconic Luna Park'smile' across the harbour.

The menu is extensive, offering traditional Turkish cuisine with (as the menu explains) 'a unique interpretation'. Our waiter wisely guided us towards a 'tasting experience' (otherwise called the bosphorus menu) - several entree size courses, which happily removed our anguish over too much choice. We were well guided by his recommendations (with a few of our own) and the result was a splendid offering of time old classics such as the mixed dip platter - a mouthwatering (and very moreish) selection of flavours, textures and dips made in-house, cicek - delicate goat cheese stuffed zucchini flowers (my partner's personal favourite) and ciger tava - crispy fried lambs liver (my personal favourite); to inspired dishes that underpin chef Serif Kaya's reputation for preparing traditional dishes with a light and contemporary touch. Karides - succulent king prawns served with lemon yoghurt; kulbasti - delicately chargrilled veal with chilli and lemon mustard sauce, and a house special - tender, delicious slow roasted lamb neck and shoulder with white beans (actually, this may have been a personal favourite as well) were our evening's offering.

Whether you're choosing your own courses, or either the bosphorus menu (at $60 per head) or degustation menu (at $80 per head) you'll not be disappointed with the service, excellent cuisine or extensive wine list which offers a wide range of both international and local wines at very competitive prices. And make sure you hold a little back for dessert. We chose the assiette for a decadent sampling of several desserts - baklava, chocolate slice and the most delicious house made pistacchio, and cardoman icecreams I think I've ever sampled.

On a balmy evening the walk through the Rocks district, and under the harbour bridge to the restaurant would only enhance what I think is a rather special Sydney dining experience. ( A cab ride from the city is only $10 or so.)