Dinner @ Turquoise, Weds, 8/15

A friend of a friend heard about the dining events we sometimes have and was hoping have an LTH experience the next time she comes through town (which is next week).

It doesn't seem like anything is scheduled at the moment, so I asked Becky if she had any preferences. She opened with "Turkish" and after a little research, we decided we'd like to give Turquoise a try.

We're going to go next Wednesday, 8/15 at 7 pm. We'd love for some LTH'ers to come out, both to help us experience more of the menu, and, of course, to give Becky the true LTH dining experience.

Reply to this thread if you're interested; I'll make some reservations early next week.

Turquoise
2147 W. Roscoe St.
773-549-3523

I'll do my best to make it.

I'm in (tentatively) for 2. Have been meaning to try Turquoise for some time.

Just a light bump -- it doesn't look like reservations will be a big deal, unless this bump unleashes a landslide... but if you'd like to come, please post here so we know who to look for and what size table to get...

I'm now definitely in for 2.

I'm in for one.

Josephine wrote:I'm now definitely in for 2.

Oops, I'm just one now, but still definite.

Joe, thanks for organizing. [insert obvious quote about the company being the best part here]

I'd never been to Turquoise before; I'm glad I had a chance to try it. Quick reaction - food was good, ambiance was kind of "slick" for what I expect from Turkish. I think Turkish Cuisine in Andersonville remains my favorite Turkish place, but it's fun to try others.

I also enjoyed dinner at Turquoise. What impressed me was the careful cooking: nothing undercooked or overcooked. Some tiny twists made the dishes for me, including the bread soaked with spiced yoghurt under the lamb, and the hint of cinnamon with the lemon-caper chicken. And how about that bread with the black and white sesame seeds? I wish I knew where to buy it, but it must be made in-house.

Best of all, Turquoise fills the need for a "nice" spot to take friends who really aren't terribly adventurous in terms of ingredients, but who want to feel that in dining with you, they have pushed the envelope of their culinary comfort zones and had an "experience." It's tricky: in this situation I tend to end up feeling dissatisfied and a bit dishonest while the friends rave or, on the other hand, vaguely guilty for choosing something too challenging for their tastes while they politely move food around their full plates. With these friends at Turquoise, I would instead be satisfied with a good meal.

And with LTH-ers, I would be grateful, as I was last night, for the company of kindred spirits. Thanks, germuska, for organizing. I enjoyed meeting your friend.

Somehow I missed everyone's responses, and besides, waited too long to add my own while my memories were fresh (as usual...)

Thanks to all who came -- it was quite fun. I don't generally find Turkish food "inspirational" to my tastes, but what we had was done well. The pide bread is really excellent -- and in fact it is made in house, as a sign over the door advises (Josephine, you were probably getting rained on too much to notice it.)

Also worth noting, the restaurant comped us a dessert apropos of nothing at all. And it was chocolatey-good.