Plantain chips and Johnny Cakes. That’s how we start our lunch, soaking up the colours and scents of the Caribbean. A dear friend and I are at The Reef on Main Street to celebrate our parents – three West Indian by birth, one in spirit.

The green plantain chips are crunchy and curled, perfect for dipping into the jerk mayo. The crisp Johnny Cakes break open to reveal bready innards – the ideal receptacle for Miss Kitty’s Hot Sauce. The homemade ginger beer has that spicy, fresh zing you just don’t get in a bottle. Or you might fancy a Ting.

The extensive menu features foods that will be familiar to those who visit the Caribbean or grew up in a West Indian household  – oxtail, jerk chicken, roti, rice n’ peas, ackee and saltfish. But, The Reef also offers delicious twists – crispy jerk tofu, jerk tacos, buttermilk fried chicken with Carib seasoning, the Kingston Quesadilla.

If it’s 5 o’clock in your somewhere, you’ll find a long list of rums, and an extensive bar menu featuring cocktails like Reef Rum Punch, Jack Sparrow, Mr. Gee’s Rude Bwoy, and the ever popular Dark n’ Stormy brewed from black rum, house made ginger beer and lime.

Mi soon come back.

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Written by Elizabeth Newton
www.creatorsvancouver.com

Header Photo: Gregory Culmer