HAKAN
ILHAN
FOOD KING OF D . C .
With the recent opening of D . C .’ s newest hotspot , Mirabelle , Hakan Ilhan is what some would call , a restaurant mogul . A native of Istanbul , Turkey , Hakan got his start in the restaurant business in 1997 , opening two TCBY frozen yogurt locations , one at Reagan National Airport and the other street side . In the 20 years he ’ s been in the industry , he has owned and operated more than 35 restaurants . He currently has 20 in operation with Mirabelle being his favorite so far . Working with worldrenowned chefs , Hakan knows how to do food . A recipe of good ambiance , mixed with great service and excellent food , will keep patrons happy , referring friends and coming back for more .
No stranger to high profile guests , his most famous is Former First Lady Michelle Obama . Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sonia Sotomayor are regulars at Ottoman Taverna . You never know who you ’ ll run into at some of his trendy locations .
And what ’ s next for this king of the restaurant world ? He ’ s launching a brand new concept at Dulles International called Café Americana ( scheduled to open in late 2017 ). This new location will be the first thing visitors see when they exit the James A . Wilding International Arrivals Hall . Guests will be able to relax and enjoy a delicious dish or excellent glass of wine and be close enough to see their loved ones as soon as they exit security . Hakan ’ s mission for this new location is for customers to remember his location and visit Café Americana the next time they are at Dulles International . His goal is to be the pride of Dulles and for visitors to feel welcome when they enter the United States through Dulles International Airport .
So while you are taking in the monuments and all that history has to offer in DC , be sure to plan your next trip around these top restaurants .
MIRABELLE
Mirabelle is a contemporary celebration of the American and French table serving refined fare from James Beard Awardwinning Executive Chef Frank Ruta and Pastry Chef Aggie Chin . Influenced by modern American hospitality , Mirabelle provides an inviting and sophisticated setting perfect for dining and entertaining in the heart of D . C .’ s bustling downtown neighborhood , just two blocks north of the White House ( Patio seating offers a nice view of the White House ).
The new concept showcases Ruta and Chin ’ s approach to refined French fare and is intended to be a neighborhood gem and dining destination for any time of day . Chef Ruta played an integral role on the White House kitchen team responsible for serving the First Families , world leaders and dignitaries under the Jimmy Carter , Ronald Reagan and George H . W . Bush administrations .
900 16th Street NW , Washington , D . C . www . mirabelledc . com
Hakan Ilhan
OTTOMAN TAVERNA
Ottoman Taverna pays tribute to the empire that ruled a large swath of Eurasia for hundreds of years . Instead of forcing its way of life onto the conquered , the Ottoman Empire absorbed other ideas and practices to
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 44 SUMMER 2017