Cherylynn N.
Yelp
How do you like your meat sticks?
Extra juicy?
Turquaz got you!
Cuz that cow or lamb doesn't need to be slaughtered a second time on the grill with dry, well-done meat.
Soft opening last week, Turquaz is new Turkish resto and dessert shop in SoMa (replaced Foccacia Market & Bakery).
Currently open for takeout and indoor dining. I appreciate that they're open 11 am - 9 pm for those who eat at off peak times.
Fast-casual service with two separate lines: food and dessert.
M E N U
Turkish cuisine with an extensive menu: soups, salads, meze (apps), döner, kebabs, stews, and more. There's also some prepared food in steam trays.
Hope they consider offering a lunch menu with more affordable options like wraps.
For desserts, they have a variety of housemade baklava, pastries, and individually portioned cakes.
Bottled drinks and self-serve water.
F O O D
* Turquaz Pistachio Kebab: Grilled minced lamb blended with pistachios, served w/ lavash, bulgur, cacık ($29): https://tinyurl.com/ys93dmj7
The adana-like kebab (2 pc) was hella juicy and well-spiced with a delicious buttery nuttiness from the pistachio. Still a bit pink (my preference) with a nice, charred flavor from the grill.
The accompanying bulgur was perfectly chewy and flavorful from the tomato/pepper paste. Served with grilled tomato + peppers, warmed lavash, crisp raw onions, and a creamy cacık (Turkish yogurt w/ cucumbers).
It's the best Turkish kebab plate I've had in recent memory where everything was well-executed, balanced, and so delicious.
D E S S E R T S
* Palace Pistachio ($3)
Like baklava filling without the crispy phyllo, chockfull of pistachios. Ran too sweet but that's true of most baklava-like pastries I've had (except for Baklavastory) so that's a me problem.
* Chocolate Pistachio Profiterole ($9): https://tinyurl.com/yc6rrv5t
No label and the staff told me it was a chocolate and pistachio cake.
It turned out to be a deconstructed profiterole - a bottom layer of crisp choux pastry topped with thicccc chocolate cream akin to pot de crème. Finished with chocolate shavings and crushed pistachios. Just two bites hit the spot - rich and chocolatey. Not overly sweet.
S E R V I C E
Friendly and prompt service. Received my order in 10 minutes.
Visited at 3 pm after work so it was very quiet.
A M B I A N C E
Cozy, casual elegance with a large open kitchen (grill and two spits), beautiful pastry case, and ornate fireplace. There's plenty of seating, some with comfy nooks and decorative throw pillows.
Free WiFi (90 minute limit).
P A R K I N G
Two parking garages on the block: SoMa Grand and Trinity Garage.
Overall, Turquaz is such a welcome addition to SoMa for office workers and those who live in the area for lunch, an afternoon pick me up, or a casual date night.