Where: Turquoise Grill off  Norfolk and Kirby near Richmond, 3701 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX
When: January 11,  2013

This quaint deli style café is tucked away between office buildings on Norfolk just off of Kirby a few blocks south of Richmond; be careful as it is easy to pass on by.  I was recommended to try Turquoise from a friend of mine who is Turkish as she remarked that the food was very good.  It is hard to argue with a person knows more about the topic than myself.  I had it on to my to try list for over a year, and tonight was the night.

We started off with some Turkish tea and an order of hummus.  I’ve had Turkish tea before, and it is usually served in a traditional tulip shaped glass called a Kyrenia.  However, this was just in a tea in a cup, but like good coffee, I could drink as much as I wanted.  The pita bread and hummus was light and very well balanced, with no overpowering flavors and most importantly fresh.

For the main course, Nicole ordered the Tilapia and Shrimp in a Burrata cream sauce.  I opted for one of the many kebabs, in particular the Sultan Beyti Kebab, which consisted of beef and lamb rolled in a light bread with a spicy tomato sauce and yogurt.  I was a bit confused about the “rolled in light bread” description on the menu  thinking it could be some sort of bread crumbs, but in fact it was almost like a tortilla. With a side of rice and vegetables, my kebab was tasty to say the least.  More accurately, creamy, spicy that was gentle on the tongue, a different spice experience from eating Mexican food.  The meat was very tender and bread was soft, it would be worth ordering again.  However the menu overall had so many great selections on the menu, it was one of those times where it is tough to pick something because it all sounded good.    Prices were reasonable ranging from about $8 to $13 a plate.

 

The place has a casual atmosphere and would strike you as more of a lunch place, think Turkish restaurant meets deli,  however wine and beers were available.  We arrived and there were only about three or four tables of people, a few more trickled in during our meal.  My only criticism is it seemed a bit short staffed, with only one waitress taking care of everybody.

The food was great at Turquoise, however there is no reason why this place should not be busier on a Friday night.   I think perhaps their location is working against them or that they really cater to the lunch crowd.  Whether lunch or dinner Turquoise deserves a try.

Nicole’s Notes:
I was surprised at the casual nature, and that it was quiet on a Friday night.   A bit disappointed but understanding that they were out of Haydari (Lebanese cheese dip).  My food was creamy and delicious. Service was friendly but understaffed; an enjoyable experience overall and a fun but unlikely date spot.