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| - Great first impressions---welcoming cantaloupe-orange and vanilla exterior surrounded by many colorful, healthy-looking, well-maintained outdoor plants and flowers. (If neglected, would have been a bad sign.) Inside, an inviting, up-beat, spacious, expected tropical-theme, with dimly lit and bright areas, and a variety of green plants clumped into groupings throughout. Other servers may be fine, but we lucked out with ASHLEY. Friendly, smiling, knowledgeable, and very likeable. Ask for her section, and see for yourself. (When we were ready to leave, she said she hoped we'd be back. "But only if YOU'LL be here." I answered. She giggled, then said to please ask for her.)
If not famliar with Caribbean dishes, I'd suggest viewing their menu online before stopping in---unless you'll have time to take time. Many photos, too. We aren't familiar with "authentic"---except for the couple of times my husband brought wonderful Cuban sandwiches home from Puerto Rican business trips---so that's what we did. Their site also has a very helpful "All about Caribbean Cuisine" tab.
Being new to this style---and looking forward to trying---unfortunately, we weren't transported to Nassau or Montego Bay. We were still in Beachwood, sitting in a booth. ... UNTIL tasting their luscious portobello sandwich. We were still here, but I think Bob Marley's ghost walked past our table. And the disappointments could have been our choices---some dishes might not be our "thing". You just might love it here---as many reviewers attest.
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JAMAICAN CHICKEN WINGS 1 star
First time trying jerk. Whatever Jerk seasonings were used---apparently there are several variations per their website---the results didn't taste good. Very large, too. More like turkey wings. These are older, big chickens, which I feel are best used for slower stewing/braising along with other ingredients, which helps flavor elderly birds. Smaller, buffalo style, remain our preference.
CONCH FRITTERS 1 star
First time trying conch. Nice mild flavor, but if conch pieces were mixed into the batter, they weren't visible. Still don't know what conch tastes like---or maybe they taste like dough. Looked just like dough. Good dipping sauce.
FISH TACOS 2.5 stars
First time trying ANY fish taco. The flavor of the delicate mahi-mahi and other ingredients, were lost to the aggressive cilantro. The flour tortillas may have been just warmed up in preparation for filling, but had then cooled and firmed up. This method---inevitably---and anywhere, not just this restaurant---can end up chewing like cardboard, and tasting like it, too. When I prepare any dish using tortillas I either bake them along with the other ingredients, or fry them separately. Even though I'd expect these tacos to be much better with less cilantro and quickly deep-fried tortillas---for that crunchy/tender/blistered combination---we'll never become fans of fish tacos. We love fish and tortillas---just not together.
SUN-DRENCHED PORTOBELLO
& VEGETABLE SANDWICH, grilled 8 stars
Excellent. Caramelized onions and slices of portobello, soft pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce, with a wonderful sauciness and flavor---probably the melted Manchego cheese. Heard of it, but never tasted Manchego until now---WOW. (I'm going to buy this cheese. Wish I knew the brand they use.) It also had asparagus spears, which weren't listed as an ingredient online. Cooked---but woody---so I removed them. The bread---hoagie-shaped and generously-sized---was perfectly pressed, having a crispy, toasted exterior. I definitely recommend it. And If meat or chicken is your preference, I'd ask for it on this sandwich, it was THAT good. If we ever return, I'd order it again. Until then, I plan to try making it myself, since I'm a lot closer to my kitchen than Beachwood.
BEAN AND RICE BOWL SIDE 2.5 stars
One of the choices offered with sandwiches. Basic beans and rice---which I like and have prepared myself, but with other ingredients added. Theirs had no discernible seasoning.
BANANA NUT BREAD SUPREME 2.5 stars
Nicely-flavored dessert. With a banana sliced in half lengthwise, vanilla ice cream, warm banana-nut bread, whipped cream, and hot butterscotch-brandy sauce. Bananas were too firm---hard to cut into with a spoon. Ask for a knife and
fork---or it might land in your lap. Better yet, ask if they could saute the bananas to soften them. That would make it 3.5 stars.
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