It had been a while since we dined in at Turtle Bay, and our midweek return to the Milton Keynes branch of the tasty Caribbean food emporium was a fiery winner.
We were actually invited along to sample the new cocktail menu, and with the popular 2-for-1 Happy Hour in full swing, we got started with a Strawberry Daiquiri which was full and zingy and a bit too nice – my dining pal Vicky and I had to check ourselves to prevent ending up with empty glasses all too soon.
For a Wednesday evening, the restaurant was lively, bustling with couples, families and friends, the energetic vibe complemented by the Bay’s choice of music, which immediately transported us sunnier climes.
We needed to attack the food menu as well, and our server Candy was brilliant at suggestions for this pair of vegans, but we still had to take extra time to deliberate; unlike too many food hubs, Turtle Bay caters for such clientele instead of offering an obligatory dish of bland plant-based food, and making choices is a problem. A good problem.
Eventually, side orders of Sweet Plantain and fries and starters of Trini Doubles have been placed, together with one main dish of a Sweetcorn Roti Roll and one of Jerk Organic Tofu.
See, they really do have variety!
As the starters arrived, we 'paired' them with another cocktail, and despite being someone who doesn't care for rum, Vicky talked me into a glass of Passion Rum Punch which slipped down with ease.
The Trini Doubles dish was a trip into Trinidad and Tobago streetfood.
The soft bara roti is piled with the Bay's curried chick peas and a hot sauce, but cutting through the heat is the refreshing addition of cucumber chutney. On the menu, it didn't sound like a winning pairing for me, but once in the mouth the tastebuds say otherwise – am pleased we made the choice.
Plates are emptied in preparation of the main courses, which arrive in quick succession.
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We're familiar with the sweetcorn fritters, but have only previously enjoyed the corn and onion fried delights as a starter.
In the roti, they are packed in snug with a healthy lashing of smashed avocado, pink onions and mild jerk mayonaise. They are delicious, and the portion is generous.
Across the table, Vicky is singing the praises of the perfectly cooked and flavoursome tofu which is accompanied by slaw and fries. Tofu can be a real bland affair when not delivered properly – there's no fear of that happening here. Like the menu itself, the food is crafted well.
The only problem with the meal was our inability to totally clear our plates; sitting back and admitting defeat, we forego any thoughts of a desert.
On a dreary, dark autumnal night, a visit to the bright and cheery Turtle Bay provided a little sunshine, and it's been a while since many of us have enjoyed much of that, right?
We do stay a while to top up on the Caribbean brightness some more, with just one more cocktail to round things off. The Raspberry Reggae pairs dark rum with berry liquer, lime, raspberry and grapefruit. It might not be one of your five a day, but we can pretend so!
The drinks menu is not only inventive and moreish, it is also perfect - the entire cocktail menu is vegan friendly, and teetotallers have a choice of mocktails that sound just as lip-lickingly sweet and vegan. Tropical, tasty and terrific.
And that, just like the food we tucked away during our visit, was certainly worth raising a glass to!
