Press Release

Adding to Jakarta’s repertoire of dining destinations, comes Turkuaz Restaurant, a purveyor of authentic Turkish cuisine that focuses on preserving and introducing Ottoman Turkish cuisine to Jakarta’s buzzing culinary world. Ottoman cuisine refers to Turkish food of the Ottoman Empire and its continuation in the cuisines of Turkey, Greece, the Balkans, and parts of the Caucasus, and the Middle East.

Opened in July 2011, the restaurant is helmed by visionary chef Sezai Zorlu, Jakarta’s only expert of Ottoman Turkish cuisine that has single-handedly reshaped Jakarta’s definition of authentic Turkish food, Turkuaz has received much acclaim as one the best restaurants in Jakarta.

Situated in one of the most vibrant street of Gunawarman that is home to some of Jakarta’s most sought after and hippest restaurants, you will soon be transported away from the hectic Jakarta streets as you step in to Turkuaz’ lobby. A custom-made chandelier shaped like the iconic Turkish tulip-shaped tea glasses will draw your attention to the ceiling, and to the large picture of Kemal Pasha Attaturk, which proprietor and Chef Sezai Zorlu puts up as his homage to the great father of Turkey.

Each of Turkuaz’ corner has been well thought, from the colour (to reflect the name Turkuaz, which was inspired by the color of the Mediterranean Sea), the custom made furniture, to the decorative pieces that some have historic properties.

On the walls and from the ceiling, artistic and sometimes rare pieces that Sezai and his family hand-carried from Turkey are displayed to not only decorate, but also to inform the guests about Turkey, with also the case with the black and white photos of legendary public figures, celebrities, and famous places in Turkey. “I want my guests feel like they are dining in the middle of a museum,” Sezai said.

The Private Rooms

1. Sultan Room

Turkuaz has some of the most exclusive private rooms you can find in Jakarta. First, there is the impressive Sultan Room, from which walls are actual pieces of history from the empire that can inspire conversations during your meal such as a 300 years old Ottoman carpet, 19th Century Persian Armor, and actual bank bonds from the early years of Turkey. Painted in royal purple and inspired by the blue mosque, guests are invited to truly experience the exclusive way of Ottoman dining in this room. This room can accommodate up to 14 people.

2. Tulip Room

On the second floor, more dining tables can be found, as well as the Tulip Private Room that overlooks the floor below. Tulip, a native to Central Asia and Turkey, was chosen and used as the inspiration for the room’s design. Unlike the sultan room that has been painted with the sultan’s color of regal red, Tulip Room sports a much cooler color of pastel blue that matches the playful blue chandelier that decorates the ceiling. This room can accommodate up to 10 people.

3. Pera Room

No less interesting is Pera Room, which boasts the aesthetic beauty of cultural collections that speak of the rich culture of Turkey. This multifunctional room can be used for various events to make your celebration merrier while your eyes are pampered with astonishing historic objects. This room can accommodate up to 10 people.

The Cuisine

Menus at Turkuaz include the vast culinary influences of the Ottoman times, prepared with Ingredients are specially imported from Turkey and Middle East and are chosen with the utmost care, to ensure that the healthiest, freshest and finest produce are used in the preparation of enticing cuisine served with a stylish presentation.

Nowhere else in Jakarta, or even Asia, where you can find a professionally run Turkish restaurant that relies on wood-fire oven for nearly all of its cooking processes. Chef Sezai is determined to preserve cooking method as authentic as possible; just it has been done in his home country for centuries. As he is currently the only Ottoman Turkish Chef in Asia, it is definitely not an exaggeration to say that he’s the best at it too.

His experience working for different chefs, including his time in the army as well as working side by side with his father, who was the personal chef of a royal family for 15 years, gave him deep knowledge of the regional cuisine.

Turkish food lovers will relish on the signature dishes such as Lamb Shank, overnight wood oven baked fork tender shank of lamb, and Adana Kebabs freshly minced beef, lamb or chicken with chili paste spices char grilled on skewers served with icli pilav. Other favorites that will whet the appetite include Yayla Kebab, Kofte’s on sautéed lavas bread, dry chili & homemade yoghurt garlic sauce, and Sis Kebabs, overnight marinated fillets of beef, lamb or chicken cubes char grilled on skewers served with icli pilav.

Guests may round-off the meal with a selection of sweet Turkish desserts as the must-try is the popular Baklava, baked layers of fillo pastry with butter and pistachio sweetened with original homemade syrup and Rice Pudding, wood oven baked creamy cold rice pudding as well as Turkish tea or coffee to conclude the culinary journey. In addition, a variety of flavored Nargile (Sheesha) is available to enjoy for a complete Turkish experience.

The Lighting House & Gallery

A section of restaurant is also dedicated to the Turkuaz Gallery, a gallery that focuses on bringing and educating guests on the ancient art of carpets from all over the world. Founder of Turkuaz Gallery, Mr. Özgür Zorlu, has extensive experience in carpets from all over the world having being a director for international carpet galleries and auction houses. For more information please refer to www.turkuazgallery.com.

FACT SHEET

Address:

Turkuaz – Authentic Turkish & Ottoman Cuisine

Jalan Gunawarman No. 32 Jakarta Selatan 12110

Phone:

+6285133004561

Social Media:

Instagram: @turkuazrst

Opening Hours:

Sunday-Thursday: 11:30AM – 23.00 PM

Friday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 23.30 PM