Istanbul: Eating Out
Photos & Words: Salina Christmas

The sweet pumpkin dessert, with clotted cream.

I much prefer the bread in syrup. This one is super sweet for my liking.

At the Ottoman, or fine dining, level, desserts have a deeper cultural connotations. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan is broken first by having desserts. Then you move on to the bigger meals.

The reason? Because the body, drained off energy, could do well with a sugar boost.

It is encouraged to fill one-third of the stomach with food, one-third with water, and one-third for 'the light to come through'. Meaning that those who observe the practice shouldn't pig out on food. They should eat moderately.