Tonight, Friday, May 26, marks the start of Ramadan in Turkey and the Islamic World. Thus, for the next 30 days, until Saturday, June 24, Muslims worldwide will be observing a month of fasting in commemoration of the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. Regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam, this annual observation is based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon and held in the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar. This month of fasting, in which healthy adult Muslims will abstain from food and beverages from dawn until sunset, concludes with Ramazan Bayramı, also known as Eid al-Fitr, a three-and-a-half day holiday marking the end of Ramadan. In Turkey, this holiday is known as Şeker Bayramı and will begin on Saturday, June 24, the day referred to as "arife" and will continue until Tuesday, June 27 as a national holiday.
During the holy month of Islam, able Muslims will take part in the fast, referred to as "oruç," as based on the lunar calendar. Therefore, the dates of Ramadan alter by approximately 11 days each year. While in winter, the fast may last for just 10 hours or so a day, in the summer months, such as the case this year, the devout will be fasting a good 16 hours each day. The fast is broken after sunset, often with the firing of a cannon, so don't be surprised when you hear a huge bang. After which, the breaking of the fast, or "iftar," a traditional meal and ritual intended to maintain optimum health during this trying time will start. Also do not be alarmed if you hear the pounding of a large double-headed drum, as in the wee hours of the night, the Ramadan drummers wander through neighborhoods pounding their drums to wake everyone for the coveted "sahur" meal, the final meal before embarking on the long day of fasting. In between is the "Teravih" prayer, held on Ramadan nights, while "Sadaka" and "Fitre," forms of charity and alms are also given out during the month by those able to.
While Muslims refrain from ingesting anything during the sunlit hours of this month, when the sun goes down and the family gets together over a painstakingly prepared table to enjoy a very special and traditional feast. Special flat bread, aptly referred to as "Ramadan Pidesi," comes out during this month, and the lines in front of bakers starting in late afternoon attest to the integral part certain items play during this holy month. It has become tradition to break the fast with a date, enjoy a Turkish breakfast type meal and drink soup, before having a light diner followed by compotes and the beloved "güllaç," a milky dessert made with thin layers of pastry and pomegranate.
Where to go for iftar:
During this holy month, many of Istanbul's most luxurious hotels and established restaurants host a very special menu or open buffet for "iftar" that is a wonderful opportunity to experience the cuisine and tradition in all of its glory.
The following will be some of the best iftar spreads with all of the fixings:
AsitaneIstanbul's quintessential Ottoman restaurant, Asitane, which is located in Edirnekapı next to the Kariye Museum, dishes up palatial (palace) specialties once devoured by the sultans. The recipes span back to late 18th-19th centuries at this elegant restaurant that also has a stately garden. From May 27 to June 24, they will be offering a Zadegan İftarı, which will include a full iftar breakfast, almonds and chicken soup, cold starters, including their famous stuffed grape leaves with sour cherries, and hot starters including the Ottoman twist on pierogies. Main dishes include a choice of veal marinated with apricots, roasted leg of lamb or chicken kebab and for dessert an apple "güllaç," compotes and sherbets, such as tamarind and hibiscus, will be served all for a cost of TL 115 ($32) per person.
Çırağan Palace's Tuğra, Gardens and Le Fumoir
Nothing beats the Çırağan Palace for a taste of history, tradition and style, and this Ramadan is no different. The Tuğra Restaurant, located on the ground level, provides a spectacular atmosphere and a delicious iftar menu. In addition, this year, Tuğra Restaurant will also be offering a sahur menu, which means that in the early morning hours you can enjoy the last meal of the day in this impressive and truly unparalleled environment. The cost for iftar is TL 295 per person, while their sahur menu is TL 195.
The palatial gardens, located directly adjacent to the Bosporus, will also be offering an open buffet of traditional iftar specialties for TL 195 per person. Meanwhile, the stylish Le Fumoir, set among decks and under palm trees, will not only be offering nighttime nargile (water pipe) service, but will also be dishing up a special sahur menu for TL 195.
Spago at St Regis
The legendary two-Michelin star chef Wolfgang Puck's iconic Spago restaurant located on the top floor of the St. Regis Hotel in Nişantaşı, will be offering a very unique iftar menu for the month of Ramadan, including a lavash with fresh herbs and Ramadan pide with spices. Starters include baba ghanoush, humus, the classic breakfast with "fast" breakers and lentil soup. Main dishes include a choice of homemade pasta with a basil tomato sauce, pan-fried organic chicken with caramelized cauliflower and mash, grilled lamb chops with falafel macaroons, smoked eggplant and a harissa aioli or a slow-cooked beef cheeks in Indian spices. Desserts include a date toffee cake and a cinnamon sütlaç. The cost is TL 165.
Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus
Always a favorite for special occasions, the terrace of the Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus with its spectacular views, is a wonderful location to enjoy an iftar meal. There will be the option for either an open buffet or ordering from a set menu, with the first costing TL 135 per person and the latter costing TL 95, with both offering all of the classics.
AzzuR at Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul
The AzzuR restaurant in the Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul in Levent will be hosting a very special Turkish and Ottoman buffet accompanied by live fasıl music from May 27 to June 24. The buffet, prepared by Executive Chef Giovanni Terracciano, will offer all of the Ramazan classics such as: Soups, pide, olive oil based dishes, grills, kebabs, döner, mantı and traditional desserts such as güllaç, quince, lokma, ekmek kadayıfı and fırın sütlaç. The cost is TL 130.
