Weekly Specials
Ask the Chef
"How do you come up with each week's specials?"
“Over the years, I have done literally thousands of specials. People often think that ‘specials’ are something that a restaurant kitchen wants to get rid of, something that was leftover, or over-purchased, items that servers are told to sell to customers. Well here, that’s just not true. My specials at Tropicale are items that my team and I prepare from scratch and are spawned from diverse sources of inspiration, from seasonal dishes, like sweet heirloom tomatoes in the summer, roasted pumpkin soup in the fall, or a bright pasta tossed with asparagus and basil in the spring to a journey across India, Morocco, or southeast Asia. Nothing provides inspiration for me like travel and when I come home to my kitchen after a life-changing eating adventure, I humbly attempt to re-create some of these magical dishes for our customers. The specials at Tropicale take on a great global feel and keep our cuisine fresh, exciting and ever-changing.”
-Chef Tony Di Lembo
CHEF’S SPECIALS
Pomegranate & Orange Vodka Cocktail
Muddled Mint & Orange, Ketel One Vodka, Pomegranate Juice & Honey 24
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars “Aveta” Sauvignon Blanc
Flavors of “...grapefruit, Meyer lemon, white peach and guava.” 2023 (Napa) 25/98
Hess Family Vineyards “Allomi” Cabernet
“...hints of cherry, pepper, chocolate, vanilla and oak.” 2023 (Napa) 27/110
Crispy Turkish Flatbread
Lamb Meatballs, Crushed Tomato, Peppers & Spices
Turkish Dil Cheese • Parsley, Sweet Onion & Pine Nut Salad 26
Red Lentil & Potato Soup
Tomato & Cumin • Olive Oil, Aleppo Pepper & Mint (cup) 18
Egyptian Fava Bean Falafel Pita
Crispy Fava Bean Falafel with Cilantro, Parsley & Garlic • Sesame Tahini
Pickled Red Onions & Dill • Cucumber & Beefsteak Tomato • Arugula Salad 28
Turkish Seven Salad “Meze” Platter
Roasted Eggplant Salad • Grape Leaf Dolmas • Red Pepper Hummus • Tabbouleh Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad • Pickled Turnips • Marinated Olives • Housemade Turkish Pide Bread 30
Pan-Roasted White Baquetta Sea Bass, Egyptian-Style
Saffron, Pomegranates, Celery, Dill, Cilantro & Parsley • Garlicky Spinach
Sweet Onion & Rice Pilaf with White Raisins & Spices • 47
Turkish-Style Lamb & Chicken Mixed Grill
Minced Lamb Kebab with Sweet Peppers & Onion • Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Legs with Cumin • Charred Green Chilies • Parsley Tomato Salad • Grilled Pita & Lemon 45
Egyptian Honey Dessert Trio
Pistachio Baklava • Rose Semolina Cake • Spiced Olive Oil Walnut Cookies 24
