Who knew SEPTA went to Turkey? While I've never actually been to the land of hummus and ottomans, Konak restaurant certainly met my expectations.
Owners Melek Basaran and her daughter Aysa Atay have transformed one of Old City's many cramped buildings into a palace. Not coincidentally, Konak is the Turkish word for mansion. The nineteen-foot ceiling and soft torch lighting give the impression of a Mediterranean courtyard. Antique hookahs, silk drapes and authentic Turkish minstrels transport diners from Old City to the Old World.
Being unfamiliar with Turkish cuisine, I decided to follow the suggestions in the menu, which can only be described as playful. An eggplant dish, Imam Bayildi, roughly translates to 'Priest Fainted.' According to the menu, the dish was so decadent that a priest passed out upon tasting it. Another story says he fainted because his wife bought so much olive oil to cook it.
For my appetizer, I selected the equally whimsical Sigara Borek - cigars for non-smokers. Like a Turkish mozzarella stick, these rolled strips of philo dough are stuffed with feta and parsley. The dough is fried to perfection, though the dish as a whole is a bit salty. My companion ordered the calamari, which was delicious and presented beautifully.
For my second course, I opted for the Chicken Topkapi, an incredibly tender stuffed-chicken breast in a creamy tomato sauce. Despite the exotic name, this dish, as with all of Konak's food, is elegantly simple. Sauces and spices only serve to enhance the chicken, not mask it. The same can be said for my companion's entree, the highly recommended Hunkar Begendi. The dish consists of beef cubes piled on a mozzarella and eggplant puree. The beef was so tender that it fell apart on the plate. The puree was creamy and flavorful. Both dinners came with rice - a buttery delight.
Perhaps the best part of the meal was the baklava and Turkish coffee. Our server presented the coffee in an elaborate cup on a golden platter. The baklava can only be described as a bite of heaven. It is worth the trip to Old City for dessert alone.
While Konak is perfect for a romantic dinner, its prices are a bit steep for a casual meal. Fortunately, Kovak offers a reasonably priced tapas menu, allowing diners to sample the tastes of Turkey.
With the sound of guitars and the sweet aroma of coffee still lingering in our heads, my companion and I strolled back to Market Street Station. The short walk gave us time to digest our meals and reflect on our delightful evening.
