D.C. is getting another Turkish option on May 2, courtesy of restaurateur Hakan Ilhan.
Ottoman Taverna is opening at 25 I Street, NW, Suite #107. The 160-seat restaurant was conceived by Atlanta-based firm Norris Design incorporating materials and other elements from Turkey. The bar features a backlit onyx top from there, fronting the copper-clad back bar. There are also blue glass pendants and honeycomb-shaped features found throughout the dining room.
The open kitchen shows off a charcoal pit and doner grill. Istanbul native Ilhan Erkek is executive chef, and his menu will focus on traditional Turkish dishes and small plates like mezze, flat breads, and kebabs.
In addition to the main dining room, there are also three private dining rooms that seat up to 40 guests or up to 90 when the rooms are combined. There's also a special "Sultan’s Table" with seating for 12 diners.
