Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Comfort Food - Tastes of Home

You're tired of your own cooking.
You're tired of Island Food.
Nothing Tastes Right.

You may be experiencing a bit of Culinary Homesickness.

The American franchises in St Kitts just didn't taste like what I was used to at home.
There was always something different. No satisfaction there.

KFC used the world's smallest chicken. I'm talking Cornish Game Hen small. And the fastest I even got through the line was 35 minutes. Their shake machine was always disassembled or "not workin'".
Domino's wasn't my favorite at home and the St Kitts version was better but not what I considered a great pizza. 
Subway was almost an empty bun at best and the bread tasted funny.

There are some places serving good North American type foods

I call them Secret Foods

I'm a bit of a pizza snob. I was lucky enough to live in the Franklin Ave. neighborhood in Hartford, CT. It's an all Italian neighborhood and the pizza there is wonderful. In fact the whole Central CT area (including New Haven) offers Great pizza.
So I was looking for the good stuff  while on St Kitts. Crust, sauce, spices, cheese and toppings. It all has to work together.
Spratnet earned a solid B. The Marriott gets a B to B+ .
For the A go to The Pizza Place in Downtown Basseterre!
A Tasty crust which the sauce compliments with plenty of cheese and toppings. Baked right!
A Good Value. Short on Atmosphere, Big on YUM! 

A Surprise Awaits You!
I heard about Redi-Fried Chicken on Bay Road, in Downtown Basseterre during orientation. It was just a passing comment, so I didn't get around to going there for about a year. My Loss!
To say I was pleased was a major understatement! Crisp on the outside, Juicy on the inside. Well seasoned. Greasy factor well within established parameters. And BIG pieces! Gigantic by Island standards! Bigger than any I have ever bought from any restaurant, fast food place, or Deli-counter in the USA! Good fries!
$22 EC Gets you 4 HUGE Chicken Breasts and a Sub Box Full of Fries. (called Chjps in St Kitts) Split it and have leftovers.

Kittian cooking takes time. A long time. When your blood sugar is plummeting, there is a place for you.  
The Bar at Rock Lobster in Frigate Bay serves Fish and Chips on record fast time. There's a big piece of Tilapia and plenty of Fries.There is not much of a crowd in the bar even when the restaurant is full. BAR MENU ONLY! About $15 USD.
Diabetics keep this one in mind.

I was raised on a big Sunday Dinner after church every week. The good plates and the good silverware came out. It was the one day a week that we had a roast. On summer days, that meant the house was hot from the oven being on. But it was great! A Juicy Roast, Gravy and Mashed Potatoes, 2-3 Vegetables, and Dessert.  
You can get this at Ackee Cafe in Frigate Bay. Sunday starting at 1130, they serve up a Roast Dinner Special. Roast Pork, Roast Lamb, or Roast Beef (one each week) served with 3-5 veg., gravy, mashed taters, and Yorkshire pudding. This is so Yummo! Comes in Large or Small size. My wife and I split a Large and have left overs. 
Skittish about Lamb? Gary serves New Zealand Lamb with Mint Sauce, and It is Incredible! Don't be shy! 

For breakfast, my nod goes to Ackee Cafe. Eggs and omelets done right, and gotten to the table hot. Inexpensive by St Kitts standards. For those liking a bit a "Man vs. Food" challenge in the morning, there is the "Full Monty" a Full English Breakfast of eggs, taters, sausage, bacon, toast, fried bread, and baked beans. It'll fill you up. Mimosas are available, too! Bring 'Em!

I love HAMBURGERS! 
Sorry! There are no good Hamburgers served on St Kitts. The beef is different and no amount of condiments and/or beer can fix that. There are some places that come close, Shipwreck Beach Bar & Grill and Ackee Cafe, but it's still just not the same. 
Sorry! You'll just have to get used to it.

Go Banish Your Blues!
B.

Redi-Fried Chicken
Bay Road, Basseterre
(Across from the Pelican Mall)
869-465-1301

Pizza Place Restaurant & Bar 
Central St, Basseterre
869-465-2546

Ackee Cafe
Sugars Complex, Frigate Bay
869-762-3616
Or: 869-762-0580

The Bar at Rock Lobster 
  
Ad
St Christopher Club, Frigate Bay
869-466-1092

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