Turks & Frogs

Almost a year ago, I moved to an apartment about four blocks from the TriBeCa Turks & Frogs. When I moved, my new roommate suggested the spot to me as a delicious restaurant, great for nearly any occasion—dads and dates alike.

It was only a few weeks ago that I got around to checking it out with a dear friend of mine leaving for San Francisco the following week.

We sat at the bar and the waiter brought us a massive tray of cold appetizers—grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, black currants, smoked eggplant, tarama salatasi, and creamy hummus to name a few. All the choices looked delicious, but we chose the imam bayildi, a baby eggplant stuffed with tomatoes, garlic, pine nuts, and onions. Between that, the bread, and delicious olive oil that we’d been poured we nearly had a meal! The eggplant was tender and easily spread; the stuffing irresistible.

I’d ordered a glass of effervescent Riesling, which seemed to be the ideal accompaniment to the creamy eggplant.

To lighten things up a bit, we ordered the cucumber salad, which came packed with chopped tomatoes, doused in a light vinaigrette, and speckled with parsley and red onion.

For the main course, the swordfish skewers beckoned to us. One long rod, loaded with chunks of white meat, charred with onions, and green and red peppers, arrived on a bed of arugula. The dish was both filling and substantial, but it didn’t weigh us down.

Nothing on the menu is too expensive. Entrees range from only $16 to $23. Even still, it would be easy to make a meal solely out of the cold appetizers.

We weren’t rushed to leave the bar after we’d finished our meal so we stayed for another glass of wine. The atmosphere was calm despite the full tables surrounding us.

After our meal, we were both sad that we’d waited so long to try out the place; now that I like it so much I don’t know if I’ll be able to wait for her first Manhattan visit to return.