That is the famous historic restaurant, Haci Abdullah off Istiklal avenue in Taksim in Istanbul. Now what is its connection to Sultan Abdulhamid? You hear many versions: that Sultan Abdulhamid used to eat there regularly, or that he ate there once, or that he opened the restaurant and blessed it with his presence back in 1888--when it first opened. What I have been able to verify is this: none of the claims are true, but he did sign the license for the restaurant, or somebody signed it on his behalf. The (vegetarian) stuffed eggplants dish is outstanding.
That is the famous historic restaurant, Haci Abdullah off Istiklal avenue in Taksim in Istanbul. Now what is its connection to Sultan Abdulhamid? You hear many versions: that Sultan Abdulhamid used to eat there regularly, or that he ate there once, or that he opened the restaurant and blessed it with his presence back in 1888--when it first opened. What I have been able to verify is this: none of the claims are true, but he did sign the license for the restaurant, or somebody signed it on his behalf. The (vegetarian) stuffed eggplants dish is outstanding.