Some
days, I cannot help but be nostalgic for my old life in Istanbul.
Mostly,
I miss my friends. I often see their friendly faces pop up on my computer’s screensaver.
This happened the other day, and I was reminded of the luxurious (good-bye) brunch
we enjoyed with our dear friends at the Çırağan
Palace Kempinski last March.
If
you want to splurge, I don’t think you could dream up any more beautiful
location along the Bosphorus than the Çırağan Palace, a former
Ottoman palace and currently a 5-star hotel in the Kempinski Hotels chain. The
palace, located between the neighborhoods
of Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, dates
back to 1863-1872, when construction was completed.
In 1910, a raging fire destroyed
the palace, leaving only the outer walls intact. Then, the palace served as a
football stadium for the Beşiktaş team for several years and finally was
restored a couple times in the last 20 years. The Kempinski chain returned the
palace to its former baroque style filled with polished marble and elegant
tapestries. We enjoyed walking around the hotel mesmerized by its grandeur.
On Sundays, from noon to 4
p.m., the palace’s Laledan Restaurant
hosts an amazing brunch featuring a breakfast buffet with more than 250 mouth-watering
items, including sushi and made-to-order risotto or omelets. The brunch costs
140tl per person (about $100USD when we went) and includes a glass of sparkling
wine as well as tea and coffee.
The brunch is served
inside a magnificent room facing the Bosphorus with high ceilings and decorative
tables and chairs. Throughout the room, you’ll see images of the Turkish lale (tulip). When the weather is warmer,
I understand you can enjoy your brunch outside on the terrace.
Now, let’s head to the
buffet! You’ll find many elements of the traditional Turkish
breakfast such as several varieties of cheese and salami, dried fruits,
nuts, jams, honey, breads and pastries. However, I opted for more the “exotic”
items such as smoked salmon, fresh mozzarella with basil, risotto, freshly
carved roast beef, curried chicken and the sushi bar. I was in sushi heaven!
I cannot even remember how
many times we all went back up to the buffet to refill our plates!
Oh, also if you have
children, like our friends did, you can simply drop them off in a nearby
playroom and enjoy your luxurious brunch in peace! After brunch, you may want
to let your child run off some of that extra sugar outside on the palace’s extensive
grounds.
 |
| A long hallway is the perfect place for 3-year-old to run! |
Of course, you must save
room for dessert! The desserts are created by the talented William McCarrick, the hotel's Executive Pastry Chef and Master Chocolatier, whom I had the pleasure to meet
in person in 2013, and his team. There’s even an entire “chocolate room”
dedicated to delicious delights dipped and covered in milk, dark and white
chocolate. I think I may have consumed a box of chocolate truffles by myself!
For
pastry enthusiasts, you’ll also find a wide variety of mini desserts and petit
fours.
More
than a year later, I still have fond memories of this beautiful brunch and of
course, our dear friends back in Istanbul!
Afiyet olsun!
 |
| Elena and me outside after brunch at the Çırağan Palace. |
 |
| Hubby and me with a Bosphorus view in the background. |
 |
| Don't you want to jump into this heated pool? |
Location:
Çırağan
Palace Kempinski
Yıldız Mah.
Çırağan Caddesi No:32
Telephone: +90 212 236 7333
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6 comments:
Great post about a great place! Love the photos. Yummy!
Thanks Elizabeth! I'd love to go back under sunnier skies!
My other half was lucky to be invited to eat at the Kepinsky in Bodrum while I was away. He was impressed!
Wow, yeah pricey but what a lovely place and a great looking brunch. Think I'd have been back for second and third helpings, too.
@Annie, even better if someone else is paying! :-)
@Julia, when you're leaving a place you love, a splurge is definitely worth it! We were quite gluttonous that day!
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