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| Jamaican All Spice |
One of the largest storms of
the century has come ashore on the East Coast. Full moon and howling wind
rustles through dried fallen leaves. It is a perfect condition for Halloween
and witches brews. With cold tropical rain, my body craves for the flavor of
warm, savory spices...Allspice to be exact. No other cuisine uses and grows
allspice like Jamaicans do. This peppercorn looks like spice but has a flavor
combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and pepper all in one. In addition to
allspice, Jamaican cuisine has a combination of tropical ingredients and world
influences from Africa, Spain, India, England and China.
Jamaican goat curry and jerk chicken are some of the uniquely Jamaican dishes that I crave for.
There are about a dozen or so restaurants in the Triangle area that serve Caribbean food. For authentic Jamaican, I narrowed my choices down to 2 restaurants-Lee's Kitchen and Jamaican Grille.
Jamaican goat curry and jerk chicken are some of the uniquely Jamaican dishes that I crave for.
There are about a dozen or so restaurants in the Triangle area that serve Caribbean food. For authentic Jamaican, I narrowed my choices down to 2 restaurants-Lee's Kitchen and Jamaican Grille.
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| Jamaican Grille |
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| Jerk Chicken, Goat Curry and Oxtail at Jamaican Grille |
Jamaican Grille is located in a non-descript office park. There are 10 tables
with a counter to order the food. I had jerk chicken, goat curry, oxtail stew
and meat patties there. The best thing there was the jerk chicken. The goat
curry lacked the spice and the oxtail stew was a bit barnyard tasting. Weekend
service is pretty quiet.
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| Lee's Kitchen |
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| Goat Curry and Jerk Chicken at Lee's Kitchen |
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| Lee's Kitchen Curry Shrimp |
Lee's Kitchen was a very different experience. The only seating the restaurant
has to offer was the seating to sit and wait for the food. The line is constant
here during mid-week lunch hours. This place is Jamaican with a southern
accent. They serve Mac & cheese, fried chicken and collard greens in
addition to Jamaican food. The made to order popular items are curry shrimp and
fried chicken. I had goat curry, jerk chicken, shrimp curry, rice and peas and
plantains here and finally understood the flavor. Rice and peas (red bean and
rice...similar to dirty rice in texture) has a subtle sweetness that
compliments the spicy curry. The goat curry was tender with the level of heat
that warms you right up. It has a much lighter consistency in comparison to
Indian goat curry. The jerk chicken though was on the disappointing side. It
had been sitting on the warming bar for too long. The shrimp curry was juicy
and nicely spiced. You can't beat the freshly made food. Wash it all down with
ginger beer. I was simply happy...humming reggae with a mouthful.
If Jamaican food is not your thing, try allspice in your pumpkin pie or sprinkle it on warm apple cider. It will comfort you and get you through the storm. Happy Halloween.
Cheers!
Teera
If Jamaican food is not your thing, try allspice in your pumpkin pie or sprinkle it on warm apple cider. It will comfort you and get you through the storm. Happy Halloween.
Cheers!
Teera
