Tasting the Caribbean from Kingston to Port of Spain
This week, the culinary footprints of The Observer Table Talk Food Awards extends across the region as our judges enjoy an eclectic range of menus; from digging into street eats to dining at chic locations, Thursday Food brings you the juicy details of our restaurant crawl.
Of Fried Chicken and Fromage
It’s a sweltering Wednesday afternoon as Thursday Food accompanies judge Jodi Stewart Henriques on her search for the Holy Grail of Kingston lunchtime fare — the box lunch.
“Finding food on the road is not hard; on every corner, every lane, every street, you can find a cookshop,” said Stewart Henriques. We certainly concur, but the rarity of finding one that is worthy enough for a mention on our pages is another matter.
“After a way-too-early trip to the dentist, I decided to ‘look a food’,” the judge shares as we happen upon the Small Business Association building on the corner of Trafalgar and Lady Musgrave, which we learn is the home of a relatively new eatery called Dastros Restaurant & Catering. On entering the compound, patrons are greeted by a small bar, which we’re told comes alive post-5:00 pm — perhaps supported by those seeking a respite from the rush-hour traffic. Opposite the bar, the cookshop features a walk-up window separated by a covered seating area.
The local eats are fairly good and the prices competitive, ranging from $300-$500. Chef Kemar is selftaught and offers a different menu each day. Elements of the service were inconsistent, but our checks with patrons reveal that the fried chicken and oxtail were among the foods Dastros usually gets right.
Monday
Chicken in Pineapple Sauce/ Curried Goat/ Bar-B-Fried Chicken/ Fried chicken and fish done to order
Tuesday
Pepper Steak/ Sweet and Sour Chicken/ Cow Foot and Beans/ Coconut Curried Chicken
Wednesday
Jerk Chicken/ Stewed peas with Pig’s Tail/ Oxtail/ Ackee and Saltfish
Thursday
Fried Chicken/ Chicken Chop Suey/ Brown Stew Mutton/ Chicken in Pineapple Sauce
Friday
Jerk pork/ Bar-B-Fried Chicken/ Jerk Chicken/ Escoveitched Fish
*All orders are served with rice and peas or white rice, ground provisions and vegetables
Fromage Gourmet Market
For those desirous of lunch with a more international appeal, the newly opened Fromage Gourmet Market on Hillcrest Avenue offers interesting menu ideas.
Easy, delectable and light are adjectives that come to mind as we enjoy the lunchtime offerings. For starters, there’s the Chowder Du Jour in Bread Boule, which is followed by the refreshing Power Salad comprising chicken, sunflower seeds, tomato and feta cheese. For something a bit more filling, try one of several tasty panini options including Roma (tomato basil pesto and mozzarella), Marlin Milan and the Turkey Bijou, to name a few. Most items on the menu are below $1000.
There is also the much-lauded vegan eatery — 7 Basiks & More on Deanery Road — and Café Fusion on Ruthven Road with lots more interesting options to entice the palate… and at affordable prices, too!
Pushpa’s
Tucked away in the corner of Liguanea’s Northside Plaza, the newly renovated Pushpa’s offers adventurous eaters a chance to explore Indian cuisine.
Food judges, attorney-at-law Matthew Hogarth and financier Toni Spence hosted friends Francis Poole, and Nicole and Lisa Hogarth at the restaurant recently.
Amidst great friends and scintillating conversation, guests enjoyed a variety of dishes.
“The food is generally delicious and enjoyable,” Matthew told Thursday Food, describing the Shrimp Kurma and Chicken Chutniywala, which were not previously in their culinary repertoire.
“The new dishes were found to be delightfully tasty, with the Chutniywala being particularly herbaceous, and the cilantro particularly prominent, as appeared to be the intention,” he said.
Naturally, there were some old favourites such as the Butter Chicken, Mutton Vindaloo and Mushroom Chili, which he described as comparatively good when stacked against similar dishes found in competitive Indian restaurants.
Chaud’s oh so Chic
Chef Khalid d Mohammed is celebrated among Trinidad’s greatest culinary masters, with the likes of former US President Bill Clinton, business tycoon Donald Trump and Beyoncé praising his skills.
It was our turn, last week, to dine at this master chef’s Chaud in the twinisle republic, and what an experience that was!
Trinidad and Jamaican-based Food Awards judges Chris Reckord, Patrick Smith, Gracia Whyte, Rhys Campbell, and NMW were treated to a veritable feast of colours, an expert commingling of flavours, and service excellence that would perhaps rival the dining experiences at any of the world’s choicest restaurants.
Tasting the East down South
The Orient served as inspiration for Joel Castillo, sushi chef at the Hyatt, Hyatt Regency whose beautiful rolls stood as if they were art.
Luckily enough, these things of beauty tasted as good as they looked. There was, too, a farewell lyme for Sparrow, hosted by acclaimed Trini design doyenne Meiling Esau. And what’s a good party without some Trini favourites, right!?
Unwind at Uncorked
Light fare, the promise of easy conversation, and excellent wines are among the pleasures to be had when one visits Uncorked located in the just-opened Sovereign North shopping complex.
Now boasting an expanded menu, including but not limited to fabulous wines, cheeses, soups and salads, Uncorked is doing its part in rejuvenating the interests of foodies, locally.
Food Awards judge Nevada Powe recently sat down to enjoy the delectable offerings.
Stone Cold Ice Cream
Emma Dalton-Brown also visited Stone Cold ice cream parlour where she had a vanilla cone — $250 and a 5 oz cup of Seaside Caramel ($300) — delicious chunks of dark chocolate and sea salt gave texture to the ice cream, with caramel sauce entwined… an absolute delight! Baby Shay looked on enviously, but mum wouldn’t let him have his first bite of ice cream just yet!
One of Stone Cold’s signature treats — Chocolate Brownin’ — bursts of chocolate brownie and caramel sauce mixed in with maple walnut ice cream and rocky road brownie ice cream, complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top! The cost is $700 for a very handsome helping. You need 3-4 people to eat this, really!