I really tried holding off on writing about this place. You see I know it's a well known and celebrated chain restaurant and most people have visited the one in Notts or Brum or somewhere big, but I've only ever been to the one that seemed to pop-up overnight in Derby, so to that is which I refer.
It was a little funny when I first laid eyes on this spicy new food hole, I was walking home from work, I took the long way home because I was chatting to my friend Dani on the phone and wasn't really paying too much attention, and just as she began to end nattering my ear off about this "unbelievably trendy" restaurant in Nottingham she went to last night (Turtle Bay) with her other friends. (I'm pretty sure they're imaginary because I'm pretty sure I have the friend thing covered, we haven't met i think she thinks i will discover her imaginary secret or I'll tell them to jog on.) Anyway, it was a place she said I would "love" and she " just kept thinking all evening Rachael would really love this place" she continued just as I turned the corner and was quite magically presented with an eye full of the brand new Turtle Bay opening soon on Victoria street. Hmm this could be my super power think of a really good resteraunt I want to try and it shall appear...nah just tried it and nothing is opening soon in my living room.
Sadly it was a few weeks before I managed to step foot in the place and trust me that wasn't for lack of trying it was lack of compatible times...
The first time I did go in it was with my town drinking buddy, Tracey (she's the cleaner where I work, she's totally useless at getting the cleaning done because we're always getting her to merchandise, make sandwiches, tea and damage sweets so we can eat them...but more about that later) We only went in for a couple of cocktails at happy hour and my god they blew me away. Strong, sour and full of rum rum RUM.
When I drunkingly described to Tracey what I like to write about on here, which took a while because she doesn't even have a mobile, she insisted on taking me out for a meal the following week.
Finally months after the grand opening I was gonna experience what this place has to offer and I''l admit after all the great reviews I'd heard I was expecting great things...
The food was spicy, rustic and bursting with Caribbean flavour. I MUST take Ben (the Mr) here or rather let him take me because I really wanted him to be happy making me happy. Throw him a bone and that.
So upon the return (I hadn't shut up about this place in between) We sat at the bar for a few pre-dinner drinks just like grown-ups in American sitcoms. The cocktails are a great mix of sweet, sour, creamy, short or downright explosive. The barman recognised my glee ridden face from the last time I gleefully sat at his bar and squealed about the cocktails. So, armed with big strong cocktails (2 for 1 of course) we were seated on the platform, surrounded by bright lights, low hanging records, what looked like a Bond villain at the next table, wired railings and the inevitable colours of the Jamaican flag. There is never not something to cast your eyes upon, which is good if your boyfriend keeps nipping out for a smoke.
Ben ordered the Chicken wings to start, he saw it as his duty in order to cast an accurate comparison, myself the deep-fried white bait. Bonus point Turtle Bay for providing a finger bowl to subtly clean your fingers after your finger-lickin' starters. Two more Coco Coladas and a pint of Red stripe please.
