The Dish: Turkuaz Grill

Assorted dishes from Turkuaz Grill in Riverhead. (Photograph credit score: Victoria Caruso)

Perched on the Peconic River, Turkuaz Grill affords genuine Mediterranean cooking with breezy East Finish vibes

THE GIST: Turkuaz Grill is a comfortable, family-run restaurant based in 2009 by Turkish-born Mustafa Gulsen. This Riverhead staple is understood for flavorful, fairly priced Mediterranean delicacies in a homey environment. 

THE VIBE: The restaurant, tucked away in a small white home behind downtown Riverhead’s important drag, is likely one of the North Fork’s greatest spots for informal waterfront eating. Strings of twinkling lights cling above white picnic tables, the place patrons can dine alfresco alongside the river. Inside, darkish wood beams, a fire and ivy-wrapped home windows with waterfront views provide a heat and welcoming environment. 

THE FOOD: At Turkuaz Grill, you’ll discover quite a lot of genuine Mediterranean and Western Turkish delicacies. From well-seasoned kebabs and gyros to crispy falafel, swordfish and branzino, every dish is recent, vibrant and flavorful, providing the standard and heat of a home-cooked meal. 

Blended chilly appetizers: Why accept one when you’ll be able to strive all of them? This meze platter encompasses a flavorful mosaic of house-made dips. Take pleasure in a creamy, garlicky shredded carrot salad with a mayo base, a spicy mashed vegetable dip produced from minced tomatoes, peppers, and onions, a mashed eggplant salad with pepper, parsley, garlic, and olive oil, a tangy tabbouleh, a hearty inexperienced lentil salad, and naturally, recent and creamy hummus. Excellent for sharing across the desk, it comes with heat pita bread on the facet for dipping. 

Turkish cigars: This Turkish traditional is the last word consolation meals. Crispy phyllo dough is rolled with feta cheese and parsley, pan-fried to flaky, golden perfection and served heat with a facet of yogurt sauce. 

Combo platter: Superb for indecisive diners or these craving a bit of little bit of every little thing. Take your choose from their array of kebabs, with choices like hen adana (hand chopped hen seasoned with pink bell peppers and paprika), lamb shish, doner (skinny slices of marinated lamb cooked on a vertical rotisserie), kofte, vegetable and falafel. Every dish is served with a refreshing beet salad and a facet of rice and tomato-based bulgur pilaf.

Baklava: Make sure to depart room for this standard Turkish dessert, produced from delicate layers of flaky pastry full of crushed pistachios and candy honey, served with dollops of whipped cream. Take pleasure in it with a cup of conventional Turkish espresso or tea. 

The 411: Turkuaz Grill, 40 McDermott Ave., Riverhead, 631-591-1757

Tuesday by way of Saturday: midday to 9 p.m.

WEB: turkuazgrillriverhead.com

INSTAGRAM: @turkuazgrill