Restaurant Review: Turtle Bay is a Caribbean delight in the heart of Leamington

After a busy, vibrant and successful opening night and a few months in the town it is clear that the chain - which has also set up shop in Birmingham, Southampton and Leicester among other locations - is delivering on that promise.

The opening event had people talking for days after.

The venue’s stylish and authentic but down to earth décor, the reggae music - which is the sound system’s staple, and the generous samples of food and drinks on offer was the subject of many a tweet or Facebook status from those who had been invited.

So with the buzz that had been created by Turtle Bay the opportunity to experience a more intimate dining experience at the restaurant was one which could not be missed.

The aforementioned impressive presentation of the restaurant accurately suggests the quality of its overall package and in particular - and most importantly - the food and drink it serves.

Before praising Turtle Bay’s culinary offerings it’s important to draw attention to the reasonable prices on the restaurant’s menu.

It’s two for one cocktail deal, which offers 24 different drinks on a buy one get one free basis from noon to 6.30pm and 9.30pm to close every day, is a feature which suits diners and those simply dropping in for a few drinks alike while the most expensive main course will cost customers just over £15 with most dishes being less than £10.

The menu itself has an obvious West Indian spice and beach barbecue theme but offers a diverse range of choices from chilli fried squid and pulled jerk pork to curried goat and double dipped steak.

Our starters were the squid - which lived up to its billing as one of the tastiest from that section of the menu - and duck rolls which offer a subtle but escalating warmth in the mouth. This was nicely balanced by the delightful Reggae Rum Punches we had ordered to drink.

My partner, always keen to pick a seafood option, chose curry shrimp and mango for her main course. Quirkily presented in a traditional ‘one pot’ manner, this dish is a savoury and aromatic treat complimented by a handy helping of flatbread.

Jerk Ribs were my choice and one highlight of this dish was how the succulent meat fell off the bone while another was the sweet potato fries it was served with. Its a simple concept, swapping out potatoes with their ‘sweeter’ cousins but the excellence here is in the execution of the cooking and seasoning and the fact there was a large portion to enjoy.

With the spices in each dish burning pleasantly in our mouths and quenched by a couple of Limin Punches made up of Cockspur gold rum, Triple Sec, Midori, fresh mango, lime and pineapple, we moved on to puddings.

I chose the dark chocolate pie and ice cream, which offered a rich and nicely textured twist on the standard brownie or fudge cake option other establishments serve.

My partner’s choice of a spiced chocolate pot was certainly more adventurous and interesting with its spicy kick, but no less delicious.

We finished with another cocktail - this time the junkanoo which combines Blackwell rum and passion fruit along with Passoa and coconut in a ‘Martini style’.

Throughout our meal, which was enjoyed on a bustling Saturday afternoon at the resturant we were served well by a waiter named Dan who was friendly and attentive without ever being intrusive and obviously passionate about the choices of food and drink we made.

Glancing across the restaurant at this time and with that standard of food, service, atmosphere and good value to savour it’s easy to see why Leamington’s Turtle Bay has become so popular so quickly.

And in the months and years to come as more new eating establishments pop up as part of Regent Court’s transition into a ‘restaurant quarter’, this establishment could well be the area’s crown jewel.

For more about Turtle Bay in Leamington or to book a table call 01926 424282 or visit www.turtlebay.co.uk