This Middle Eastern restaurant has been around since last year — and has already undergone a major renovation — but it was only recently that I finally got around to dining at Turquoise Turkish Restaurant. The first time was several days ago when two Egyptians, who now live in Davao, brought me there after a business trip. They said to me that Turquoise’s food is authentic Turkish cuisine, which made me wonder why some restaurant reviews I’d gotten sometime back weren’t very flattering…
A friend of mine suggested that it might be because Dabawenyos aren’t used to this type of cooking. Or it might be because the original state of this restaurant was not very inviting, so I heard. At any rate, as I’ve said, they’re freshly renovated now, and the interiors do look nice and comfortable.
The Turks have their own brand of kababs, shawarma, hummus and all that Mediterranean goodness. The dishes (even some of the names) are similar, but the style of cooking and, of course, the taste are different in a way that is quite pleasing. The hummus, for me, is perfect, and consistent, I must say, because both times I’ve been to Turquoise the taste was the same. If I were Turkish, the way I might describe it would be that it reminded me of the old country. And the lawash (pita bread) that they serve is simply delightful. (My only complaint: hummus just doesn’t photograph very well. 
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I went back to Turquoise with Andrew, Jaime and Chattee the other day. 
For starters we got the Turquoise All In One (₱299), an assortment of samplers of their Abagannush, Acili Ezme, Mezze Istanbul, Pilaki, hummus and yoghurt. Of these, I love the abagannush the most. It’s eggplant with tomatoes in olive oil. Wrap it with hummus in lawash for best effect! The acili ezme is a tomato dip, slightly spicy and sour. The mezze istanbul — a mix of boiled potatoes, carrot, beans, egg and mayonnaise — looks like the regular salad that we’re used to, but with a distinctly Mediterranean taste. The pilaki is a cold bean salad, also with tomatoes (this one didn’t appeal much to me, though).
For my main course, I had their Inegol Kofte (₱159 for the 8-pc order). It’s a dish of meatballs shaped like small hotdogs. While I did like it, I think I like what Andrew ordered better: the Turquoise Cheesy Kofte (₱179), which is the same but is just one big meatball (also elongated) with a filling of mozzarella cheese. The latter was tastier, you see. Chattee and Jaime both got Chicken Shawarma (₱59), which was also quite good. Next time I’m back, I’m going to have their beef shawarma.
I want to mention that their rice is really good. I like the way that it’s cooked and flavored. There’s just one thing: I wonder why they put french fries on some of the dishes (like the kofte)…
According to Turquoise’s menu, Turks always have Ayran (₱50) with their meals. So to complete the experience, I had that yoghurt drink as well. And they’re right, it does go well with the spicy food! They serve ayran either sweetened or as is (which is sour). I suggest, if you don’t like it really sour, ask them to put only half of the sugar they normally use.
The service at Turquoise (both times I was there) was prompt, and the waiters seem to know the food that they serve. When I asked them about the dishes, our waiter knew enough to be able to explain them.
Turquoise Turkish Restaurant is at the ground floor (in front of National Bookstore) of SM City Davao, Ecoland, Davao City. I believe they also have a branch in Cagayan de Oro City. In Davao, their telephone number is 282-0168.
It would be good for my Muslim readers to know that the meats served at Turquoise are certified halal.
