A Moveable Feast

One of the things I appreciate most about restaurants that serve ethnic fare is that they can, in a sense, emulate international travel, if only for a meal. 

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to experience this psuedo-travel at Negril Village, a Jamaican restaurant located in New York City's Greenwich Village. I'd been craving Jamaican cuisine since returning from my trip to the island less than two years ago, but it's not a particularly easy type of food to find. The line of people waiting to be seated served as a good indication that Negril Village would be a good place to finally sate my appetite.

Everything about my dining experience was incredible. The first thing I noticed was the restaurant's warm ambience, one that with its dim lighting and golden hues, paralleled the warmth of Jamaica's climate. The only thing I missed was the actual sunshine, although the restaurant did provide a reprieve from the unseasonably cold temperature outside. 

The style of the restaurant was admittedly more modern than anything I ever experienced in Jamaica. The table at which my friend and I sat at was small, dwarfed by chairs that reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. Reggae music played in the background, and I have since had the urge to spend my time listening to irie.fm, rather than my usual Pandora stations. Take a look:

I perused the menu at a leisurely pace; deciding what meal to order in a timely fashion has never been a strong suit of mine. After much deliberation, I ordered the Jerk Rubbed Chicken.

To call this meal fantastic does not do it justice. My plate consisted of a sizable portion of jerk chicken, as well as a healthy serving of rice and beans, and some steamed vegetables. And every last bite was incredible. I'd once eaten a similar meal on the shores of the very beach from which the restaurant gets its name, and while nothing compares to the experience of eating alongside the ocean, this came somewhat close.

I've since been encouraging people to venture out to this restaurant, particularly if like me, they enjoy ethnic food. Beyond the calming ambience, the restaurant boasted one of the friendlier wait staffs I've encountered in some time. Our waiter was affable, answered all of our questions with a smile on his face, and engaged in conversation about my favorite side dish, festival.

Days later, I am still thinking back to this meal. Perhaps it's because I adore food so much. But more likely, it's because for a night, this restaurant took me back to the sunshine, relaxation, and friendliness that I associate with Jamaica. I cannot wait to go back.