Feeling like a change this weekend? Head to the newest restaurant to burst on to the up and coming Boro dining scene – Turtle Bay Middlesbrough. After a whopping £800k investment in to the restaurant, lets take a look at whats on offer.
The large, open and airy Turtle Bay Middlesbrough seats 231 at full capacity and has it’s own dedicated bar area. Perfect for those bloody lush 2 for 1 cocktails that the brand is so known for. When I’m driving, the Banana & Peanut Butter smoothie is my #1 choice! If libation is more your thing, you won’t miss out on the top scran as the bar has it’s own selection of bar snacks. Posh pork scratchings, jerk nuts and savoury popcorn are all moreish morsels to try.
Feeling fresher and more laid back than the Newcastle sister restaurant, the wrap around glass floods light in to the dining room for those summer rays to make you feel like you are kicking it back in Jamaica. Taking a local nod to the Transporter Bridge, diners are welcomed to Bridge Town with its eclectic decor and stand out murals on the wall.
With over 50 Caribbean dishes on offer at Turtle Bay Middlesbrough there is something for everyone. From mild starters to ass kicking spicy jerk chicken and everything in between. During my visit with the veggie blogging bestie, even the mushroom burger got a big thumbs up.
A fruity soft drink in hand, we set about tasting the menu. The Sweetcorn Fritters (£5.10) were my top pick from the starters. A spicy batter full of fresh sweetcorn and scotch bonnet chillies comes served with pickled onion salad. If heat isn’t your bag, the Trini Doubles (£5.10) will be right up your street. Light and floaty roti bread is topped with spiced curried chickpeas, cucumber & mango chutney with fresh shredded coconut.
As always with the Turtle Bay way, there’s a selection of hot sauces on hand to pimp up your dishes, which came in handy for me as we were sharing food. ALL THE HOT SAUCE FOR ME!
With both vegetarians and vegans well catered for in the menu choices, everything is clearly labelled to avoid confusion.
Served as part of the main meal sharing platter, I’m surprised to say this but my favourite had to be the Supervital Green Salad (£7.50). The plate was bursting with kale, avocado, wild rocket, chickpeas, sugar snap peas, baby spinach, red onion, pomegranate & toasted coconut with a citrus lime dressing. You can add protein to your salad in case you need that meat fix.
The salad choices are perfect for summer, if a curried dish is a bit too heavy.
Rounding our visit off with my absolute favourite – BBQ Pineapple (£4.95), I was happy and full up.
Having been to the Newcastle restaurant (Review HERE), I think I prefer the feel of the Turtle Bay Middlesbrough. I think the space has a different feel to it and as it isn’t as close to home, it feels like a bit of an adventure to head down the A19. Just writing this review has got my mouth watering which is perfect timing as I am already booked in for another visit with the family!