Sarnıç means 'cistern' in Turkish.The setting for this restaurant, an old Roman cistern tucked away behind the Ayasofya, is nothing less than dramatic.

The flickering light of 500 candles bounces off the iron grillwork, the lofty brick domes, and the stone pillars, while the crackling of the fire in the massive stone chimney (an inauthentic but effective addition) supplies more romance than a girl can handle.The menu marries traditional French entrees like beef bourguignon with standard Turkish grills.