It’s been very wet lately. Summer is nearly here, but the weather hasn’t got the message, and it had me craving proper, warming home cooking. Troy, a local spot that never misses, was the answer.
It’s a small place. Walking through the doors felt like stepping into a taverna on a Mediterranean holiday: warm colours, low romantic lighting and a relaxed, welcoming feel. Around the room there are imported pieces for sale, from lovely serving bowls to handmade cushion covers. They make a nice memento if you’d like to take a little of the night home.
I was greeted by an attentive host. The kitchen has an open hatch where you can watch the action, with just one chef cooking what I can only describe as wonderful home food. The menu is a blend of Georgian and Turkish. It’s a select menu, not an overwhelming one, and everything on it feels done well.
I went for the Chakapuli, a Georgian lamb stew ($41), and it was stunning. The lamb was succulent, slow cooked for hours, then finished in the oven in its sauce so the pieces above the sauce charred slightly. That gave wonderful flavour and texture against a rich, sweet sauce with real layers. Tarragon, plum, white wine and fresh herbs all come through. I mopped it up with fresh toasted Turkish bread. A real stunner.
That’s why Troy earns the Quiet Corner Table Great Restaurant seal. It’s reserved for places that deliver something special, and this one did.
A real North Shore gem.
Details
Troy
4/1056 Beach Rd, Torbay
Cuisine: Georgian and Turkish
Tried: Chakapuli, $41
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