Chef Barrington Douglas describes his fare as "Caribbean cooking with a twist". I think he is being modest. More like "FANTASTIC Caribbean cooking with a twist". Imagine the exciting flavours and spiced dishes of the West Indies, but cooked to a Michelin Star standard.
This restaurant doesn't have a Michelin Star yet, but I'm sure it will have one soon. The photos that cover the wall of the bar, showing Barrington with a host of famous chefs, like Gordon Ramset and Gary Rhodes, are a testament to his skill and popularity. He is obviously highly regarded by his more famous peers.
We visited on Friday night and the next night too. We had to book a long way in advance, because it is very popular.
I had "Spicy beef rings" as a starter, which were substantial and delicious. In fact so substantial, so that I didn't have enough room for my main course of "Sweet Beef". My wife had macaroni cheese starter: beautifully presented and lightly spiced, with garnish of mango chutney. Her main course of the chefs signature dish "Rum pork" was lovely. A tower of succulent pork, interleaved with sweet potato that was "melt-in-the-mouth" delicious.
On Saturday night my wife had the Jamaican classic "Ackee and Salt-fish" as a starter which was presented with style and flair, and Roasted red snapper as main. I enjoyed escovish (lightly pickled fish) on a flat, dumpling. The fish was a firmer than I have had before,, but still tasty. The flat dumpling was light an fluffy and pefect for mopping up the sauce. I had two starters as my main course: Macaroni cheese and spicy prawns. Both were delicious.
They also offer a takeaway service. You can phone up and collect hot food. Or do as we did, phone in advance, and take away cold food at the end of the evening, so it can be warmed up for lunch the next day.
The bar is well stocked, with a good selection of wines and beers for such a small venue. My rum punch cocktail was well made and the service in the bar and in the restaurant was warm and friendly.
The staff were so welcoming and the cosy intimacy of the restaurant made us feel like were we personally invited into Barrington's front room for dinner with his friends.
With prices that make this excellent value for money, I predict more people will be discovering "Discovery Bay". read more