Turquaz

If you have the willpower to enter Turquaz and leave without at least one slice of cake or a piece of baklava, you should be studied. Yes, the menu of mezes and entrees at this Turkish restaurant and bakery are great, but what we love most about this SoMa spot are the pastries and desserts.

video credit: Patrick Wong

video credit: Patrick Wong

video credit: Patrick Wong

video credit: Patrick Wong

The ideal meal here takes time. Start with a chicken kebab followed by a slice of the malaga. Kick back and digest for a bit in one of the many wicker chairs and sip some Turkish tea while admiring the Antiques Roadshow-worthy fine china, and then head to their pastry case to pick out something else that looks good to take home—we suggest the milky pistachio baklava. If your schedule doesn’t allow for that level of leisure, Turquaz runs a smooth takeout operation, too.

Food Rundown

video credit: Patrick Wong

Chicken Kebab

A fantastic entree. Every chunk of meat is juicy and barely requires chewing. Get this with the slightly spicy bulgur.

photo credit: Patrick Wong

Meze Trio

There are nine different mezes to choose from and they’re all solid. Our favorites are the eggplant yogurt and carrot tarator. The one thing preventing this from being a strong recommendation is the cold and dry pita.

Malaga

No notes on this cake. The chocolate cake base is dense and moist while the thick frosting that encases the banana doesn’t overpower the fruit’s flavor. This is something we have to order on every visit.

video credit: Patrick Wong

Sütlaç

This dessert has the consistency of melted ice cream and is filled with tender grains of rice. A close second favorite to the malaga.

photo credit: Patrick Wong

Milky Pistachio Baklava

Because this version has been soaked in milk, the bottom is creamy while the top layers are still flaky. At $4 for a bite-size square, it’s not the most cost-effective dessert here, but worth trying at least once.