Dining a la Carteret
Tortugas in
Emerald Isle
by Amy Guthrie
One step through the double
wooden doors, and Tortugas’ catch phrase of “fine dining with a casual
attitude” was understood — you could walk in wearing jeans and be just as
comfortable and in place as the folks beside you decked out in cocktail
dresses and suits.
Tortugas’ relaxed
atmosphere, which is supported by the wonderful, outgoing staff, is certainly
“fine dining” that caters to you and me, but as nice as the ambience was,
I’m here to eat. One look at the specials and I was ready to start tasting.
The menu offers a wide
variety of dishes that are sure to please the discerning palate.
In fact, it was so enticing, most of my time was spent deciding what to
try next!
I am always apprehensive
about eating out at new places. I
never like anything I get; or, I know I could have fixed it better at home for
less money. Do you know what I
mean? Well, not at Tortugas.
You have a choice of
anything from pizza to pasta to steak, and let’s not forget the seafood
dishes. A 12” pizza starts at $8.99, working it’s way up with topping
selection, a price that is very competitive.
Appetizers start at $6.99
for a very healthy portion and main entrees start at $10.99 and spread to
$22.99.
I loved the pasta
selection. They have it broken
down on their menu so you can build your own. For example, I am a fan of penne
and sun dried tomato, but you may be a fettuccini with fresh garlic white wine
butter sauce topped with lump crabmeat — at Tortugas you get to decide!
I started off with crème
de crab, and spinach and artichoke dip with red tortillas.
We’re not talking about the red tortillas you buy in the store
—this was more like cheddar baked pita chips.
Absolutely
delicious, but I had to go slow and pace myself for what was to follow, the
Thai Tiger Shrimp – Tempura battered and lightly fried Tiger shrimp in a
Thai chili glaze – very sweet, very good.
I also had the peppercorn
crusted seared (to perfection) Ahi tuna, served with ginger soy reduction and
wasabi. Believe it or not, we’re
still just on appetizers!
I decided to take a risk
and order the house dressing on my salad. Tortugas’ Gorgonzola vinaigrette
is so tasty that I dipped my bread in it.
(Forget trying to impress anyone with manners, this stuff was good!)
I hate to tell you about a
special that is not always on the menu, but it was so unique (and so good)
that I have to. The entrée is
called Black-Tip Shark. I have
never had this before, but it was fabulous with a taste along the lines of
mahi-mahi.
For the next decision, we
asked the waitress, “What’s your favorite?”
You can’t go in tasting without trying the server’s favorite.
In this case it was Costa Rican pork tenderloin — Ginger-hoison
marinated, grilled and served with roasted sweet corn and peach habanera
beurre blanc served with rice.
Once again, I was served
something that I could not fix at home; pork tenderloin that is actually
tender and a chutney-like topping that covered all the basics.
It had a perfect blend of sweet, sour, and a little “spicy” bite.
By now, I was getting full,
but then they brought us coconut shrimp and, well, full or not, I had to have
a little taste. Of course, it was also good.
Just when I thought it was
over and I told the waitress I could not take one more bite, out comes the crème
brulee with a candle — the candle celebrating my husband’s birthday. The
table of 12 across from us (the Mayor of Emerald Isle and friends as it turns
out) belts out “Happy Birthday.”
Tortugas was a wonderful
dining experience. I cannot wait
to partake of Tortugas’ Valentine Special!
The menu will consist of duck breast with a strawberry coulis, filet
and lobster tail, tilapia oscar and lobster ravioli in a rosemary alfredo.
(I am leaning toward the filet and lobster tail, but the choice is all
yours.)
It is no wonder that
Tortugas has been named “The Jewel of the Emerald Isle” by the Greensboro
News & Record and “Best Restaurant to Take a Date” by Coaster
Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award. The
entire menu, as well as the ambiance, is sophisticated and fine-tuned.
The price is modest in proportion to quality and the wait staff is
friendly, on point and considerate.
Quick
Bites
Address:
Phone: (252) 354-9397
Hours:
Open Wednesday-Saturday at
Reservations:
Accepted, but not necessary for small groups.
Other: All ABC permits and smoking welcomed at Granite & Mahogany Bar.
2/10/06
See the previously reviewed restaurants on the Restaurant Archive page
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