Turmeric Kitchen: Indian Restaurant With American Offerings Too

'J.G. Dining Reviews'

The Turmeric Kitchen is located on U.S. Highway 17, across the street from the entrance to Russell Road.

The Turmeric Kitchen, Green Cove Springs’ first Indian restaurant, offers a variety of Indian food as well as a breakfast and lunch menu for the traditional brunch crew. The owners only recently added breakfast to their line-up, and menu items are mostly American fare at reasonable prices.

I visited The Turmeric Kitchen on a late morning Saturday. The outside restaurant looks pleasant and unassuming. It is a stand alone restaurant with ample parking. The inside seating is smaller, with approximately 15 tables. The decor is lovely-stylish, and modern with earthy tones. There was background music, first Indian and later Italian. It was subtle, making conversation with companions easy. There was an understated aroma of spices wafting from the kitchen that was pleasant.

I was greeted promptly and asked if I wanted a breakfast or lunch menu. I soon found the breakfast menu was the aforementioned breakfast and lunch (sandwiches and hamburgers), while the lunch menu offered Indian dishes as well.

For breakfast, there are a full selection of conventional breakfast dishes.

I started with a complimentary carafe of still water and ordered a sweet tea. I found most of the sugar had settled at the bottom of the glass. I'll be sure to stir before I drink on subsequent visits.

I found the server to be polite and friendly. He was helpful when I asked for his advice regarding menu items. He also checked to ensure the food was to my liking throughout the meal.

To suggest a restaurant you would like to see reviewed, email J.G. Dining Reviews at jguthrie_@hotmail.com.

I ordered the Philly cheesesteak which comes with an order of fries or coleslaw. As they were out of coleslaw, I went with fries. As I waited, I noticed the restaurant was half full. I was seated next to a young family who had never experienced Indian food. They started with the garlic naan, a traditional Indian bread, with a dipping sauce. The family (including a preteen) enjoyed it. When their traditional Indian lunch arrived, they raved about their meal, expressing delight with the mixture of spices. I have to admit, I was a little envious.

Our reviewer had a Philly cheesteak sandwich and fries ($14) and a baked apple dessert.

My meal arrived soon after theirs. I was treated to a cheesesteak with small chunks of onion, slices of peppers, and a nice portion of cheese sauce. The sandwich was tasty The meat and cheese complimented each other and the hoagie roll was firm enough to handle the ingredients without being too hard. The fries were fine, unsalted so I made use of the salt shaker. For dessert, I tried the baked apple. The menu said the spices included cinnamon, walnut, cashew, almond and coconut oil but I did not taste any spices, just hot apple.

Overall, I found The Turmeric Kitchen to be a welcome change to the traditional offerings of Green Cove. I look forward to coming back for more.

The author is a long-time resident of Clay County with a passion for traveling and exploring new restaurants and stores In the local area. She is the the proud mother of three young-ish adults. She works as a procurement supervisor and global commodity buyer for an international company with an office at Orange Park. Her hobbies include reading and trying to garden. (It's a process, she says.)

The restaurant recently added an outdoor seating section in time for next month’s “Florida spring.”