AT PRESENT, Confidential does not have a Caribbean restaurant category in its food and drink section.
Because Manchester has perhaps one proper Caribbean restaurant, Marleys in Rusholme (reviewed here). The rest are glorified takeaways.
New Caribbean restaurant, Turtle Bay, is probably the most lavish offering the city has seen so far.
A mural of Bob Marley will look over diners as they indulge in the jerk-centred menu, which includes favourites such as jerk ribs, Blue Mountain curry goat, trini doubles, Rastafari rundown and 'buss up shut' roti.
Taking over the Alibi spot on Oxford Street, it’s an impressive £1m renovation, using reclaimed materials championing both the carnival colour rich themes of the Caribbean islands and Manchester’s industrialised heritage. Think sugar-cane cans and steel drums as light fixtures, shipping containers as party booths, a collection of old stereos as interior decoration and bus seats to lounge across in the bar area.
Inside Turtle Bay
A mural of Bob Marley will look over diners as they indulge in the jerk-centred menu, which includes favourites such as jerk ribs, Blue Mountain curry goat, trini doubles, Rastafari rundown and 'buss up shut' roti. These authentic Caribbean dishes will sit alongside now ubiquitous restaurant favourites such as pulled pork and the immortal burger, reworked to fit the island spice theme.
On first impressions, there's no immediate reason why Turtle Bay won't capture the Caribbean party atmosphere and provide a much needed flavourful addition to the city centre restaurant scene - the 70-strong rum stocked bar will help.
The attention to small detail gives Turtle Bay personality, and importantly, a fine finish that is missing in smaller Caribbean establishments. Of course, as a chain brand with restaurants across the country, there's high expectations for Turtle Bay to deliver.
Speaking before opening (May 30) and Thursday's launch party, Ajith Jayawickrema, Turtle Bay Founder, said: “We can’t wait to throw the doors open to Manchester.
"Turtle Bay is about great food and good times, simple as that. We think the people of Manchester will love what we have to offer, as it’s a city known for its no nonsense approach to high quality food and drink, and of course one that knows how to have a good time. We think we’ll fit in well in our new home.”
Turtle Bay Manchester 33-35 Oxford Street. M14 BH.
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