Lesser princes and dignitaries were relegated to this stunning auxiliary palace, which has been renovated and converted into a luxurious restaurant and cultural center. Summertime is definitely the season for this spot, as the tables move out to the seaside terrace, creating a spectacular dining experience little more than an arm's length from scores of jellyfish. The seafood dishes are worth mentioning, if not only for the festivity of the occasion, than for the medallions of swordfish topped with a seafood ragout. Carnivores will not be disappointed by a menu reflecting the tastes of an empire that spanned the Middle East all the way to the Asiatic Sea; try the breast of chicken stuffed with pistachios and see what I mean. Twinkling Bosphorus views and nighttime sea breezes are romance at its best, while Feriye is equally popular during its Sunday brunch service.

Feriye is spectacularly located in what were once the Ottoman sultan's palatial grounds, high above the shores of the glistening Bosphorus Strait. The co-owner and celebrity chef, Vedat Basaran, readily admits to an indecent obsession with Ottoman cooking. He's even taken pains to learn Arabic script so he can read the original Arabian recipes. The mouth-watering result is an original, innovative menu filled with dishes that appear to be traditional Turkish fare, but which are garnished with a delicate finesse that would be almost impossible to find anywhere else. In summer, there are several tables outside.