Venturing Out: A Trip to Island Spice Bar & Grill and Jamaican Market
- cindyvattathil
- Nov 19, 2014
- 3 min read
One of our favorite things, with regard to this food challenge, has always been the times that we venture out and try new restaurants. Whether they are hole-in-the-wall joints or big fancy eateries, we love seeing how different folks present their culinary offerings.
This month, with Jamaica as our destination of choice, we thought we would venture out and try Island Spice Bar & Grill and their adjoining Caribbean market. Both Yelp and Urban Spoon had given this location upwards of four stars for their food and this place seemed to have the most favorable reviews of any spot in town. So, we prepared ourselves for the big journey out!
Visions of laid back spicy goodness and soft Reggae tunes filled my fantasies. I was certain it would be a mini-vacation, taking us away from our normalcy and allowing us to bask in the brevity of something new. It's important to note, however, that not all dreams become realities and not all vacations come without work.
When we entered, we weren't even sure if the place was open. The lights were off. And there were only two people sitting at a table toward the front.
My family and I stood there in the darkness for what seemed to be about five minutes before a young, unenthusiastic waitress greeted us with the least possible effort imaginable. This was not the "laid back" mentality I was hoping for; but, like the true foodies we are, we stayed. We were hungry, after all, and quickly approaching the end of my son's Cheerios stash.
When given a table, our first question is always to ask for a high chair. At this spot, with lights still off and the smell of food scarcely in the air, it was clear that we were asking for too much. They had neither high chair nor booster seat, so our lovely little monster-boy had to be restrained by our arms in a grown man-sized chair. It started off as an adventure, indeed, and the rest of our time didn’t stray from this awkward path.
When ordering, we requested to start off with a Coco Bun and Beef Patty, to which the waitress asked if we wanted both “to go.” As if she were a child playing pretend, it seemed as though she had never experienced the concept of an appetizer being served before dinner. We continued with our order. We wanted oxtails. Chicken curry. Jerk Chicken. Beans and rice. And a side order of plantains. This was our intended feast.
When she brought out our appetizers, our greatest hopes were brought further back to the ground. The coco bun, which was had heard was really soft and lush-tasting, seemed like nothing more than a Mrs. Baird’s hamburger bun lightly buttered and toasted. And the beef patty tasted oddly similar to the frozen ones we buy at the grocery store.
With an already sour taste in my mouth because of the service and the disappointment over our appetizers, I felt like I started off the meal on several bad notes. Despite all of that, though, when the food arrived, I tasted it in earnest, allowing the bitterness I felt to slip away from my thoughts.
To their credit, the oxtails were tender. The jerk chicken had just the right amount of spice. The chicken curry was the right blend of creamy and savory. And, despite the odd seating situation for my son, the meal was enjoyed by all of us…for the most part. But, I don’t think I’ve had any food so great that it would afford the server such disregard for my family’s care. No matter the taste, my heart and wallet are driven by the emotional connection I make with a spot. Treat me well and you will earn a good tip along with my loyal patronage. However, treat me poorly and I will pay my bill, sans tip, and never return again. And the latter is exactly how we ended our stay at Island Spice Bar & Grill!
**Side note about the attached market: It was small but authentic. They do have fresh seafood, rare canned products and a small bakery case. Worth a look…that is, if their lights stay on!
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