This Istanbul-based mini-chain is one of the few places in town where you can find sahlep ($2.95). Prepared from the ground tubers of a mountain orchid, heated with milk (and sugar, I believe), then garnished with mellow Turkish cinnamon, sahlep is creamy, and clings slightly to the inside of the cup.
Sahlep is also a folk remedy for sore throats and (due to the appearance of the tubers) for male "lassitude"; for reasons more related to environmental conservation, the beverage now contains less root than it used to. Don't we all.
See also my dining brief on the Manhattan location in the November 25, 2009 edition of The New York Times.
Gulluoglu
Locations in Manhattan, Astoria, Brighton Beach, and Cliffside Park, New Jersey
www.gulluoglubaklava.com
Also, check out the sutlu nuriye next time you are there. It has a little milk in it and is therefore a bit different from other Turkish pasteries. I am told from a reliable source that the Turkish desserts with milk and cream in them are harder to find because they have a much shorter shelf life than those without.
Posted by: kevinyc | November 25, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I spoke to my reliable source again... the Turkish dessert of my dreamis is
KAYMAKLI
EKMEK
KADAYIFI
If anyone knows where to get this in NYC or even within 300 miles of here, please post here!
Posted by: kevinyc | December 06, 2008 at 11:11 PM