Bistro Turkuaz

I saw this review last summer and finally made it up there earlier this week. We had a great meal and are now plotting other people to take back with us.

It's a little gem of a place - cozy golden walls, dark wood fixtures, and warm glowing (and locally-made) glassbaby candleholders. We had a mixed plate of hummus, baba ganoush (sp?) and yougert sauce with pita - sounds ordinary, but was extraordinarily tasty. We each had lamb, braised (excellent) and grilled/skewered (tasty but a little dry). The tomato-based sauces were great and the menu is good for carnivores but also has veggie and even vegan options.

And it does feel like a family - the head cook is Mom, our waitress was the daughter (just back from Turkey), and her brother was the dishwasher. As I said, we're adding it to our favorites!

This is pretty much my favorite restaurant. I would surely eat there 1-2 a week if only I could. The food is just totally delicious in my humble opinion.

If you've never had Turkish food, but like any or all of Greek, Persian and/or Middle Eastern food, then you will love it. And, if you haven't yet had food from this general region of the world, then check-out the menu on the Bistro Turkuaz site to get an idea. My mom is like the only person in the world who wouldn't love food like that--and I think even she'd love it.

And, Bistro Turkuaz is such a perfect way to eat this kind of food--it is easy to imagine that you are eating in the warm home of a friendly and fun Turkish family -- this is an intimate family run restaurant with mother as owner / chef and daughter as your host (and I think the son also works in back).

The appetizers are $6 and up, and the entrees are $15 and up. They also have fantastic deserts and a nice group of wines that go great with the food.

You can do extra well eating at Bistro Turkuaz if you go with a group of 4 people--that's small enough to fit at all of the tables, but big enough to order a larger sampling of the menu and save room for at least one desert.