After a short drive through dry hills, a stone-walled patio came into view. White tablecloth covered tables were set among olive trees and exotic shrubbery. A building stood a discreet distance away. The sweet morning air had yet to succumb to the heat of the day, and a slight breeze ruffled the trees. Moments after we were seated, steaming glass cups of black tea were poured, and a brigade of small plates began to arrive.
From traditional borek pastries to soups of all sorts, sausages and pasta, to slices of melon and rich puddings anybody who's ever been to Turkey on vacation is well acquainted with the many and varied delights of the typical breakfast buffet, particularly those found in Turkish tourist hot spots. Turkish hotels understand the allure of the buffet and will often decorate their websites with pictures of this kind of culinary offering.