As soon as you walk in your hips want to sway to the beat of steel drum that is being played. The lights are dim, people are smiling and it's Friday night. The mood is set. Immediately the hustle and bustle of the city streets right outside the door seem to be light years away because now your on an island. As you look around and continue to intake the rush of placidity you feel you are astonished by the art work on the walls. Around the restaurant there are carefully chosen pictures of the island life; the beach, the sand, and the dark smooth chocolate people of the Caribbean.
"You may be seated," the women says as she motions us to our seats. "I am sorry about the wait."
The ambiance continued to be most fulfilling, a cute petite table for two and a candle set off the final mood of serenity. The restaurant did a absolutely great job of emerging us into another world, but the now the food was in question.
Our first dish was Caribbean styled cornbread. At first glance the yellow 'bready' substance looked like nothing special. Then there was the first bite. The cornbread was fresh out the oven and contained ingredients that normal cornbread does not. The moment the cornbread hits your tongue your taste buds scream as the honey, butter, and coconut pieces raid your mouth. Words can not describe the sensation of the warm nearly crumbling cornbread descending down our throats.
"Are you are guys ready to order, can I get you anything else besides water?"
The waiters questions took us out of our trance as we devoured the cornbread in front us. The cornbread created a deep hunger within us so we quickly glanced over the menu and order the Jerk Chicken, and the Sweet Mango Fried Chicken.
Waiting for the food was the worse part, we constantly sipped on our water, while nodding to the beat of the drum and creating small talk, reminding each other that the wait for the food was only an assurance of the restaurants home-style cooking.
"Enjoy, let me know if there is anything else I can get you."
Our eyes were big, yet disappointed at how small the plates were for what we paid. However, what was done was done and we began to eat. Making sure to eat critically was hard because there was the urge to plummet the delicious food down our stomachs. Yet, in the end we were glad we savoured each bite.
The Jerk Chicken was complimented with a fluffy white rice and beans. Draped over the chicken was a brown sauce that had a real spicy kick to it. Even though the chicken was spicy we continued to eat it letting our noses run as we licked the residue sauce off our fingers. The small talk became little to none as we enjoyed the interaction of the man on the steel drum and the food that was placed before us.
The sweet mango chicken made definitley caused our taste buds to dance. The chicken was fried and tenderly crisy. It was soaked a sweet fruit magno sauce giving the chicken a glossy orange attractive look. The sweet mango chicken was served with a type of jambalaya which was kind of spicy with beans and sausage. The coleslaw was very sweet mixed with carrots and sweet onions.
The restaurant experience at Island Soul was fantastic. While it took a little longer to get seated and the wait for the food was also on the longer side it was all worth it. The atmosphere was relaxing and definitely inviting for a clear Friday night. The soul of the Caribbean was in every aspect of the restaurant. The waiters, fellow eaters, music and food. Compliments go to Island Soul, even if their food is on the expensive side, but then again we are poor college students.
