Hi Everyone, Welcome to part 3 of a 4-part series about a gathering of Tastes Like Home friends who met for the first time in July this year. The event was coined the Fort Lauderdale Soirée. It brought together regular readers of my column: Al, CAG, and Observer, along with their wives, Mar, Desi and Pat. I was there too, but the event drew together even more of the Tastes Like Home family when I received the following email.
Beverly: I was lurking today and read a thread that seems to suggest you will be in South Florida. Is that so? Because if you are, maybe I may make some Black Pudding. Maybe???
Cynthia: Yes, I am meeting up with
some folks this coming weekend.
Beverly: I’d love to meet you. Do you think you would have time to come to my restaurant in Delray Beach, Bamboo Fire Café? You can bring your friends… there will be Banks Beer; I will make some Black Pudding… I’m thinking I’ll make some cowfoot souse too.
Without consulting the other Food-ins I readily accepted Beverly’s invitation to her restaurant, Bamboo Fire Café (named after the very popular Guyanese folk song, Bamboo Fiah). I just could not say no to eating Black Pudding and Souse.
A little background
Bamboo Fire Café is a Pan Caribbean restaurant located in Delray Beach that was opened 6 years ago. The menu comprises dishes from various parts of the region. Guyanese chef and co-owner, Beverly Jacobs puts her distinctly Guyanese influence and touch to all the dishes. What I found particularly interesting is that her clientele is very wide ranging. By that I mean that her customers are not only of West Indian origin or heritage but she a large percentage of Americans of all races and ethnicities. I believe that she has successfully found a way to provide an adaptation of Caribbean food that makes it appealing to non-Caribbean pallettes. This adaptation is what keeps her restaurant filled 4 nights a week (Wednesday to Saturday).
The restaurant is owned and run by a Guyanese husband and wife couple – Donald and Beverly Jacobs who hail from Berbice – Rosignol and New Amsterdam. Beverly is a paralegal by day and chef on the 4 evenings the restaurant is opened. Donald runs the front of the house.
We arrived on the Friday evening sometime after 6 pm. The sun was setting. We were ushered to a table that had been reserved for us. It was prime seating – a clear view of the entire restaurant and right next to the bay window. The orange-red glow of the setting sun pouring through the window bounced off of the silver zinc-sheet-lined walls creating a cozy atmosphere of warmth and comfort. We thought that we were there for Black Pudding and Souse but Beverly had much more in store for us. The Black Pudding and Souse were just 2 of the dishes on a 9-item tasting menu.
It started with the jerk meatballs along with cold Banks Beer (imported from Barbados) and freshly made lemonade. Immediately following was a platter of tostones (twice fried green plantains) with a spicy aïoli (garlic mayonnaise), smoky, creamy eggplant choka with small slices of bread toasted and brushed with garlic-herb butter. The pièce de résistance – Black Pudding – arrived on a large oblong-shaped platter. A bowl of sour at one end and thick cut pieces of freshly cooked black pudding glistening in the light. Oooos and ahhs erupted from the table then silence ensued as we savoured a taste of home. Garlic Shrimp and Souse came next. This was the first time that Al had eaten Souse and actually enjoyed it! His eldest sister had forced him many times to eat it while he was a child but he never liked it. He said the Bamboo Fire Café Souse made him think of Jamaica’s goat belly soup, but less spicy and a thinner sauce/broth.
“Since I am a connoisseur of that delicacy, I can say unreservedly that the souse at the Bamboo Fire Café is among the very best. I just had to control my urge to request a second serving.” Observer.
The other dishes followed quickly and soon our table looked like a family holiday meal or Sunday dinner – there was fluffy paratha roti, Curried Chicken, Okra Fried Rice with bacon, thick-cut Fried Ripe Plantains and Macaroni and Cheese Pie. We ate and ate and ate. With our bellies full there was no room for dessert.
“All the dishes served at the café were exquisite. My favourite was the tostones.” Desi.
“Our visit to Bamboo Fire Café was a great treat. I enjoyed the shrimp, souse and other delicacies prepared by Beverly. They were all delicious and well-presented.” Pat.
“My favourite was the Black Pudding and I would go back there (to Bamboo Fire Café).” Al.
CAG’s praise for our hosts, Beverly and Donald Jacobs, as well as the food, would take up more space than that allotted for this column. According to him, “All Caribbean residents in South Florida should patronize Bev’s eatery.”
Some West Indians might want more spice and heat and I believe that that can be arranged.
Next week, we finish the series with Mar’s recipe for Jamaican Hard-dough bread.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Cynthia
