Southampton's Turtle Bay

Last week, I went out to eat at Turtle Bay with a few friends. Turtle Bay is in central Southampton, so next to the civic centre and Solent University. It was around 7ish when we got there and as per usual it was p a c k e d. When it first opened I was sceptical as to how well it would do in the still sluggish economic climate. However, it has shocked everyone with its success. When I ask myself why, it’s not that Soton lacks nice restaurants; I mean take a stroll down Oxford Street, so maybe then it’s the type of food. For those of you who don’t know, it serves Caribbean food & drink. The music there is pretty perfect and for perhaps those few hours you’re there, you are transported away from Southampton and can almost….almost envision sunshine as you look out of the huge glass windows.

Turtle Bay is bringing a little bit of Caribbean culture to the Southampton and we seem to love it, this is a clear example of when cultures mix well. Although it’s obviously different to say The Empire Windrush that came to Britain’s shores in 1948, the first large group of Caribbean’s to come to the UK after World War II. People are more accepting to say an Indian restaurant than to whole group of Indians moving in next door, I’d like to think however we- the UK are past this stage of intolerance. To a certain degree I think there will always be prejudices, I just hope it’s insufficient enough to allow us all to get on and live together peacefully. I love the food here, today I ordered Curry Goat, Jerk fries and a Raspberry Reggae cocktail. Even my Jamaican housemate approves of the food; I enjoy it so much, because it’s so different to the standard Chinese, Indian, Italian, etc.

The clientele here in Turtle Bay are diverse, there are parents coming down to see  their kids for the day, old couples, young couples and like us groups of friends. It’s telling that everyone in here looks as if they can afford it. I wouldn’t say Turtle Bay is high-end; you can get great food for around £15. But that is a price many people aren’t willing or can’t afford to pay.  I remember an earlier conversation with a friend where we discussed that the people who frequent places like this, aren’t like those in our local area of Portswood. No homeless looking people or young mothers dragging pushchairs, why is this? It is because people tend to stick to where they are most comfortable, where they won’t stick out. Its location probably adds to its popularity, central of any city is a prime spot. Do I fit in? I look around at everyone eating; well we are here at the same time eating, so for that reason yes, I feel comfortable.