Good chance you’ve missed this unassuming little spot on the Peconic riverfront in Riverhead. Don’t let it’s demure façade fool you…there’s some great stuff here.
Serving up authentic Turkish specialties, the petite Turquaz Grill is a no-frills place to chill and chow. From kebobs and falafel to a superb mixed grill and other dishes I can’t pronounce, they cover Mediterranean fare pretty well. The North Fork seems to be a cornucopia of Italian, Mexican, and a farm-to-table vibe, so this theme is a welcome slice of exotic cuisine in my book.
Since I’m a grazer and not a shoveller, and I have a really, really difficult time deciding what to have because I want a little of everything (my famous line when ordering is “go around and get me last” – I like to hear what everyone is having so I don’t have food fomo). So I get a bit giddy when the crowd agrees to some share plates for the table.
Admittedly a pain-in-the-neck non meat-eater (their lamb dishes are supposedly superb), we ordered the chicken adana which was grilled and appropriately seasoned. We rounded that out with beet salad, perfectly fried falafel, and spinach pie. A divine yogurt sauce added the finishing touch to all.
They also have short list of Turkish beer and wine that look interesting. We were there for lunch, and I usually don’t imbibe before 5:00. Next time we’ll go when the wine
whistle has blown. Apparently their Turkish coffee is mind-blowing, offering a real jolt for both your taste buds and disposition. Will have to give that a whirl next time too.
As far as the space, the interior is cozy and cheerful; the colorful and quirky accents keep it interesting. But the room is a bit tight for my liking. In my middle-age years I’m leaning into a phase of claustrophobia. If the weather permits, I prefer to sit outside at the picnic tables adjacent to the river and enjoy people and waterfowl watching. Lots of captivating folk on Riverhead’s estuary side: fishermen catching I-don’t-know-what in the stagnant murky water, families picnicking, ducks and other bird beggars trying to snatch a snack from passersby, tourists trying to take in this newfound mark on the east end map.
Next time you find yourself out east and you’re in the mood for casual and quaint, this is a stop worth trying on a sunny afternoon or warm-enough evening.
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