Turkuaz: Ambassador-approved, but is it worth the price?

Girls in Jakarta, when it comes to Turkuaz, I dare say few restaurants are as polarizing online as this one! On one hand, it has the halo of a"diplomatic restaurant" frequented by various ambassadors and dignitaries[1], and on the other, there are countless tragic stories of people complaining it's"expensive with small portions." 😅

I've been wanting to check it out for a long time, and today I finally did. To be honest, if it weren't for writing this review for you all, my wallet would probably be hurting for days. So, was this meal worth it? Sit tight, and let me break it down for you.

Great Ambiance, But Many Details to Complain About

The moment you walk in, the rich, exotic atmosphere is quite impressive. Gorgeous chandeliers, colorful tapestries, and cushions, for a moment, it really feels like you've been transported to Istanbul. It's very photogenic, the ambiance is maxed out, perfect for occasions that call for a sense of ceremony, like a date or an anniversary.

But! Here come the complaints. The restaurant's lighting is generally quite dim, and the smell of smoke from the smoking area was wafting over to the non-smoking section, I don't know what's up with their ventilation system[2]. What's worse, the air conditioning in the non-smoking area was incredibly weak, making it super hot, we were almost sweating just sitting there. I heard that the smoking area is actually cooler and has better lighting, how does that even make sense?![3]

The Food: Half God-Tier, Half a Total Pitfall

Here comes the main event. Honestly, my expectations for the food were very high, but the result... was like a roller coaster ride.

👍 Must-Order God-Tier Dish: Lamb Shank

This dish was the best of the night, no question![4] The meat was stewed until it was incredibly tender, falling off the bone with just a light touch of a fork, and it melted in your mouth. The seasoning was also just right. If there was anything about this meal that made me go"Mantap", this was it. For this lamb shank alone, I might give the place another chance.

🤔 Not Bad, Not Great: Mezze Platter

You know, the platter with the hummus[5]. The taste was okay, it was quite appetizing with the bread, but it wasn't amazing. It's one of those dishes that you won't regret ordering, but you also won't miss out if you don't.

👎 Warning—Avoid at All Costs: Desserts and"Fake" Turkish Dishes

I really have to complain about the Baklava[6], it was sickeningly sweet! And the texture was completely wrong, not at all like the crispy kind you get in Turkey. Some other dishes, like the Manti (Turkish dumplings), were also criticized by my friend for being completely inauthentic[7], it feels like it doesn't live up to its name.

A Wallet Assassin, Really Low Value for Money

Alright, let's get real. This place, in one word: expensive! A casual meal for two can easily set you back 700k to 2 million IDR. What left me speechless was the portion size—it's just way, way too small! The Sultan Platter we ordered, which was supposed to be for"four people", Anjay! I feel like it was barely enough for three people, and the bill came to almost 4 million IDR[8]. The value for money is abysmally low. It feels like the prices have gone up over the years, while the portions have shrunk.

The Editor's Heart-to-Heart Guide

To sum it up, if you're coming on a"pilgrimage for authentic Turkish cuisine," you might be disappointed. But if you're looking for a place with a special ambiance that's great for photos and showing off, then it's worth considering, provided your wallet is deep enough.

So, will you go? For those of you who have been, come and share your thoughts, is this place on your 'must-go' list or your 'blacklist'? 🤔

Must-order dish: Just order the Lamb Shank [9] with your eyes closed, it's the only safe bet.
How to get there: It gets super crowded during peak hours, so you must book in advance[10]! Parking is very limited, and they have mandatory valet parking[11], so be prepared.
Where to sit: If you can't stand the heat or the smell of smoke, make sure to clearly state your preferences to the restaurant when booking. Otherwise, your experience will be greatly diminished.
About the service: The service attitude... well, how should I put this... I've also heard rumors that the owner is very harsh with the staff[12], so you can be the judge of that.