Yes, we know that all you ever read about Limerick is the Moyross Estate and drive-by shootings.
But elsewhere in the city, life goes on as normal, and Limerick, in fact, is a city getting it's culinary act together in many ways, not least in some good echt ethnic cooking, complete with ethnic hip-hop.
Herewith a report from our gal, Val, in Limerick, on the splendidly named Turquaz. Take it away Val:
Turquaz is a Mecca for lovers of Middle Eastern food. Though there are other players in Limerick this by far beats the competition. The interior is basic but strikingly clean, big wooden tables and chairs in a big basic white space with a huge flat screen playing Turkish hip hop, it does what it says on the tin.
The menu is kebabs, doner, chicken, shish, koftas and the like. The flat bread is made here by hand and can be seen being rolled out and cooked in their huge oven. All the meats are grilled to order so your food will take 10-15mins to prepare, that’s ok there’s a huge glass front to watch the world go by from. Being located beside the bustling Milk Market it’s the perfect place for a family feast on a Saturday.
To get a broad feel for the menu I ordered Ezzo Soup, made of lentils and warmingly mildly spiced. I was intrigued by the name Pide so I ordered a feta one of them, a boat shaped long open pie filled with cheese and tomato. Other fillings offered are minced lamb with peppers and spices and one with cheddar. Meat is cooked to order so if you want yours burnt they will do it!
All kebabs can be made into meals for an extra €2.50, this means rice or chips and the usual drinks. I got a plate of the best silky smooth hummus; they make their own and even gave me the recipe. All the meals arrived together with a huge stack of flat bread and bowls of chilli sauce and garlic sauce. The moans from the little diners put the seal of approval on the incredibly tender lamb and beef. The mixed kebab is a king size meal of lamb and chicken shish with kaftans (mince patties) served with salad and flat bread. We had so much that we had to get a doggie bag! The staff are so friendly and helpful making it a real pleasure for a family feed. It’s casual dining and great value for money and you don’t feel like you’ve eaten a bucket of lard.
For pizza lovers, they have a selection made with their flat bread as bases, plus the usual suspects of quarter pounders and chips. Deserts are baklava, organic ice cream and kadayif, but we were too full. The meal for 4 came to €50.00.
Turquaz Kebab
Unit 4 Cornmarket Row
Limerick City
Phone: +353 61 404705
www.turquaz.ie
Open: 7 days 11.30am till late
Cash only
Valerie O'Connor
