From Turkish Tastes to American Fare

A Turkish restaurant and a American-style craft bar won postive recommendations from NPU-B Tuesday night.

Istanblue, a Mediterranean/Turkish place already in operation under a temporary licence at 262 Pharr Road in the Eclipse Building, was approved unanimously be the Public Safety Committee and the full NPU.

Owner Okun Ozyrteri passed out menus that showed a variety of Turkish dishes, with the specialities mousakka, hunkar begendi and braised lamb shank. The restaurant also serves wood-fired pide, Turkish-style pizza. The restaurant's web site says it offers belly-dancing performances and use of the hookah.

For American tastes, Drew van Leuvan, formerly the chef at One Midtown Kitchen, won committee and NPU recommnedations for Seven Lamps, which will open in the Shops Around Lenox in August, although he said June is possible.

Van Leuvan said Seveb Lamps will be simiilar to Linton Hopkins' Holeman & Fitch, with "homemade light fare for the masses, easily understood," and craft cocktails such a a variety of gin and tonic drinks.

The spot will be "cateriing to an upscale crowd," and will probably close at midnight, although 2 a.m. is posible. The business might also have a coffee bar and open at 9 a.m., van Leuvan said.