TUR KITCHEN, along with Chef Nelson Fernández, the brilliant mind behind the operation.
TUR Kitchen on Giralda Street between Salzedo and Ponce de León specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. They’ve only just opened their doors to the public and are ready to serve the most demanding of palates.
Chef Fernandez arrived in Coral Gables after a fruitful career across the globe.
He studied in London, and at 22, he graduated with honors at Cordon Bleu. He began working with Michelin Star Chef Nic Watt at the Hyatt in London. Then spent five years at Monty’s under the celebrity’s tutelage, “The Naked Chef” Jamie Oliver. He will always remain grateful for the experience of having worked with this circle of important masters of their craft. But Chef Fernandez left the United Kingdom to take his next career step in Toronto, Canada, where he worked for ten years as the Executive Chef at Sassafraz, one of the city’s most prestigious restaurants in Toronto. During this time, Chef Fernandez also worked with one of the culinary world’s giants, chef Massimo Capra. Later, Chef Fernandez met restaurateur Hanif Harji and Executive Chef Roger Mooking during his time as Head Chef of their Nyood Restaurant & Lounge, which placed a heavy emphasis on the finest-grade ingredients.
Now he’s set up TUR Kitchen, a gastronomic jewel in the heart of Coral Gables. TUR Kitchen aims for fine dining in a very cozy atmosphere. Customers can see Chef Nelson Fernández in the kitchen from any positing in the restaurant. They will see him decorating and making sure the experience is complete.
I can assure you that it is a delight to see those dishes leave the kitchen in your visual palate, but tasting them is a real pleasure. The ingredients are of the best selection, and all picked out with an awareness of our focus on offering high-level and healthy food. Chef Nelson dominates the kitchen and is passionate about Mediterranean cuisine, mainly from Lebanon, Greece, and Turkey.
“Our open concept kitchen will allow our diners to be part of the process and enjoy the beauty of putting each plate together.”
· Chef N. Fernandez ·
The way Chef Nelson pairs produce is extraordinary; his culinary wisdom seeps through every bite. He lives among spices and vegetables, and his proposals are lovely. For example, with the Seared Eggplant with Feta, San Marzano Tomato, and Sourdough or the Cauliflower with Corn, Mustard, and Russet Potatoes, you enjoy not only the beautiful plating but also the quality of the vegetable. Chef Fernandez respects its flavor and enriches it with its very few but well-balanced companions.
A must Try?
We tried two exquisite dishes from the sea that I advise and will be among your favorites; Squid with Medjool Dates, Chorizo, Chili and Coriander, and the Tuna with Zucchini, Hazelnut, Cucumber, and Golden Beet. Their freshness and flavor accompanied by the ingredients selected by Chef Fernandez take them to a level at which even the most inexperienced palate might understand the concept of haute cuisine. The menu’s protein selection is excellent. Throughout a reading (or tasting!) of the plates, you will find yourself on a fantastic journey within the finest pastures of the Mediterranean. TUR Kitchen hosts what’s truly an excellent selection from lamb leg to branzino to pork loin to tuna.
And to close with a platinum brooch, the desserts, you will imprint themselves a mental photograph for you to remember for many weeks on end. Not only for their beauty, but their flavor will keep you craving more. I recommend you try the delicious Kunafa accompanied by Rose Water, Walnut, Pistachio, or the extraordinary Mille Feuille with Cereal Cream, Strawberries, Berry Dust Sumac. Simply delicious.
There is nothing more to say. We face a restaurant that will undoubtedly be the talk for a long time among locals and tourists who come to Miami. It will be one of the great restaurants in the city, I assure you.
Enjoy TUR Kitchen, call to make a reservation, and greet Chef Nelson Fernández personally.
By Claudia Portillo
CLAUDIA PORTILLO-DEL VALLE
Claudia Portillo With a love of a healthy lifestyle, learning, and laughter, Claudia celebrates the world of creation and creativity. Guess that’s what you’d expect from a major in design and a passion in written and health. Her drive is to make a living creating, writing, reading, communicating, and interacting. Life really is about determining your passion, surrounding yourself with greatness, and getting after it with a lot of heart.