TUR Kitchen :: Coral Gables, FL

TUR is an upscale, contemporary, ingredient forward restaurant, located at 259 Giralda Avenue in Coral Gables. Tur kitchen draws its inspiration from the rich and vibrant Mediterranean basin, including places like Spain, Southern France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, North Africa and Turkey. 

An industrial chic space with high ceilings, a large display cabinet with nic naks and touches of greenery everywhere. There’s a giant screen projecting breathtaking, mesmerizing images of of the spectacular Mediterranean geographical scenery. 

Here diners can order a la carte or try a tasting menu. We opted for their 8 course “Gezi” Tasting Menu. We started with the six elements, a plate representing the herbs, spices and elixirs we would be visiting on our tasting journey. Our first course was farm to table seasonal and local roots with clementine, labneh and nasturtium. Our next course was a tender roasted squid with Medjool dates, chorizo, chili, cilantro, sumac and grapefruit. I would rate this dish our favorite course. Next up, some lavash with crème fraiche and Aleppo. You could add soft butter and Maldonado salt. Then, a palate cleanser of lemon and basil sorbet. This was followed by a small portion of branzino with yellow turnip, truffle marcona almonds, endive and mint. Our next course was a delicious lamb chop with Moroccan mint tea and a carrot purée, some crispy Yukon potatoes and green peas. I would order this dish again. To end we were served a phyllo Napoleon with cardamom coffee,  smoked chantilly, strawberries and a pistachio praline. 

TUR was voted the best new restaurant in 2020 in the Miami New Times. I beg to differ… Nothing offended me, I just didn’t think it was worth the one hour drive. 

They offer a global wine list with new and old world selections. But our tasting menu included a few cocktails and for us, this was adequate. 

The place gets rave reviews and it is a different concept for Miami. I’m not saying it was terrible, but I travel and dine out a lot, and it just wasn’t that memorable of a meal. The servers were engaging, the dishes were nicely presented, but I always ask myself, is this a place I would want to return to again? I just wasn’t that inspired. The food was respectable, but it wasn’t brilliant or unforgettable and it left me disillusioned with the high expectations I arrived with. 

Happy dining,

Shanea

12/29/2022