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Message |
    
GinaNiko
Citizen
Username: Ginaniko
Post Number: 18
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 2:19 pm: |     |
We moved here last Fall and tried out the Caribbean Cuisine. It has since become a regular spot for us. We eat-in or take out and every meal has been delicious. The portions are very generous and everything is made fresh with only natural ingredients. They are kid friendly and our toddler loves the rice, beans and plaintains. It's nice to have some other place to go with our daughter other then pizza. I highly recommend it. |
John Beltsos
Citizen
Username: Belts_boy
Post Number: 146
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 3:10 pm: | |
Where is it?
Do they offer curried goat? |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 577
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 3:52 pm: | |
Dave can I get a commission for every person I send to this page? 
http://www.maplewoodonline.com/restaurant/
Carribbean Cuisine is my favorite. LOVE IT! |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1076
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 4:03 pm: | |
I'm a big fan of their pumpkin-potato-spinach combo. And their various rices are all fantastic. |
musicme
Citizen
Username: Musicme
Post Number: 1336
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 4:49 pm: | |
Went there last night for the Ox-Tails, rice and peas.
mmm, Peanut butter Punch!
Go, Go, Go, |
lah
Citizen
Username: Lah
Post Number: 351
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 15, 2005 - 8:02 pm: | |
Yes, they have curried goat. Had it tonight. Mmm mmm good. |
GinaNiko
Citizen
Username: Ginaniko
Post Number: 19
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 16, 2005 - 12:48 am: | |
It's on 1st st. between Academy and Valley in S.O. They have curried goat and all types of other curried dishes as well as jerk chicken. They are from Trinidad, very friendly, layed back people. |
Dr Matt
Citizen
Username: Dr_matt
Post Number: 21
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, July 17, 2005 - 8:35 pm: | |
Tried Carribean Cuisine on a whim one night and was really impressed. Very good quality food and extremely fresh and I was back to sample other dishes within a week. It looks very unassuming, but the food is really high quality. Also, if you walk in for take-out, your walking out with you food in 5 minutes and the service is very friendly. Give it a try if you are having one of those, "I just can't think what to eat" nights. Don't forget to pick-up your Red Stripe to have with it. |
mimi
Citizen
Username: Mimi
Post Number: 100
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 18, 2005 - 6:48 pm: | |
we just moved out here a couple months ago and it quickly became our favorite local restaurant. they are open for dinner and lunch. the homemade ginger beer (nonalcoholic) rocks! |
Beans
Citizen
Username: Nalini
Post Number: 103
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 11:57 am: | |
I guess Caribbean cuisine is doing well. I have not heard one bad comment about this place. |
davel
Citizen
Username: Davel
Post Number: 120
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 4:54 pm: | |
Every dish I've had there has been enjoyable. Yummm. |
Arnomation
Citizen
Username: Arnomation
Post Number: 297
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 1, 2005 - 8:08 pm: | |
My favorite is the Jerk Chicken Roti with pumpkin spread all wrapped up together. Deee-lish!!! |
Blue Skies
Citizen
Username: Blueskies
Post Number: 19
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 4:15 pm: | |
We tried this place after reading this thread and were VERY pleased with the food. We've really enjoyed the rotis (the boneless chicken curry and veggie rotis are fab!) - large portions! The pumpkin and rice with lentils were very good also. They even spice dishes up at your request. |
Klg
Citizen
Username: Klg
Post Number: 31
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 5:51 pm: | |
They're good but the food at J&J is still better if your experience is limited to take-out. |
GinaNiko
Citizen
Username: Ginaniko
Post Number: 21
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 8, 2005 - 10:29 pm: | |
What is J&J and where is it? BTW, the Carribbean Cuisine is a restaurant where you can sit down to eat too. The decor isn't much but with our 2 year old, going there is a nite out on the town. |
Klg
Citizen
Username: Klg
Post Number: 32
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - 12:39 am: | |
J&J is on Valley St., near Pathmark and the liquor store. It's take-out only and looks sort of run down. They close around 9pm (or earlier, as they often run out of food) and it's wise to preorder but they have the best oxtail. I like the Carribean Cuisine too, they have a larger menu than J&J. |
cwalk
Citizen
Username: Cwalk
Post Number: 14
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 - 12:40 pm: | |
I used to go to J&J before I found Carribean Cuisine. It seemed everytime we went they didn't have the majority of the things advertised on the menu. Also, I happen to like the Trinidad/Guianese version of carribean food. I have to say that I take anyone who visits me to eat there and they are simply in heaven! The beef patties are so authentic and flaky (not full of grissel like some). The portions are very good sized and I always get the curried goat roti. Their curried goat is always so tender and not just a pile of bones and fat you have to pick through (like J&J whenever they actually do have curried goat). I'm so impressed with the quality of the food, I am ordering some catered items for a party I'm having. And they are so pleasant to boot! A really nice find in the neighborhood!!! |
poughkiemon
Citizen
Username: Poughkiemon
Post Number: 13
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2005 - 5:33 pm: | |
Another thumb's up for Caribbean cuisine. Everything we've tried there has been excellent. They're also quite vegetarian friendly, and usually have a few veg dishes available in addition to what's on the menu. |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 911
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 10:40 am: | |
As a vegetarian, I find myself CONSTANTLY tinkering with their Rotis. Here is what I usually ask them to do for me.
I ask them to make my roti with extra chickpea curry. It's really flavorful and it comes with chunks of potato so it makes for a very good base IMO. Then I ask them to go light on the pumpkin and the spinach. The pumpkin is delicious but I find it is a bit too sweet for my dinner (less is more here). I'm not a HUGE spinach fan, and I am pretty sure that it is frozen anyway. But here is the kicker, ask them to add a good dose of the shredded cabbage. It is a side dish that they seem to always have, and it matches the roti REALLY well. My only last comment is that while I LOVE the owners of this place, I find that the woman is much more helpful when it comes to customizing your roti. The man sometimes lacks helpfulness and enthusiasm. Next time, I'm just telling him I would like his wife to prepare my dish.
Oh yeah, and hot sauce is optional, but watch out it packs a wallop!
One last aside, I have asked and I know that the rice and beans and the rice and peas are vegetarian and very flavorful. I get a side of plaintains to go with them and they are SOOOOOOOO good. I sometimes add in some of the rice into my roti too. :-) |
Two Senses
Citizen
Username: Twosense
Post Number: 376
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 5:44 pm: | |
Enjoyed a good meal, which unfortunately ended on a slightly sour note. We each ordered an entree with the only soup available (entrees come with soup or salad for $3 extra). Our check arrived with our soups listed at the full, a la carte price. When I questioned this, rather than apologize for the error, the waitress (owner/manager?) said that I hadn't asked for the entree and soup TOGETHER. I handed her my credit card, and she agreed to adjust the bill. When the card receipt came back, only my soup and entree were repriced correctly. Caveat emptor: make sure each person says clearly, "I'll take the soup with my entree to take advantage of your posted, special pricing." |
angel
Citizen
Username: Angelia
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 2:14 am: | |
the food is great my favorite is curry goat with the split pea roti |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3277
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 3, 2005 - 7:47 pm: | |
Alley, thanks for the tips on customizing the veggie roti. We tried it last week with less pumpkin and spicy (because I agree, it can be too sweet) and it was great, I also got a side of the cabbage and had it on top.
Tonight we decided to get it again. My husband likes the beef and chicken patties but they were out, so we're trying a double (chickpea spread) for the first time and a homemade beef pie. Plus an order of shrimp wonton which we haven't had in awhile.
We'll have plenty left over for lunch tomorrow. I swear, I think the roti are just as good, if not better, cold the next day!
I am so happy to have this place as a takeout option. The kids get mac and cheese...we get Caribbean Cuisine! |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3278
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, October 3, 2005 - 8:53 pm: | |
Ok, the "doubles" was SO good. It was a spicy chikpea spread filled wrap. Spicy, but in a different way, a bit reminiscent of Indian spices. One or two of these would be a perfect vegetarian lunch.
Beef pie was a tiny beef filled flaky biscuit. Hubby preferred the beef pattie.
Shrimp wontons were wondeful. Each fried dumpling is filled with a medium sized whole shrimp and spices. Comes with a sweet & spicy sauce for dipping. Two of us shared an order. For an appetizer, 3 or 4 could share because it came with about 10 per order. YUM!
Veggie roti was good as usual. Had to stop ourselves from eating it all!
|
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 1004
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 - 8:49 am: | |
I had the "Drunken Pig" special on Saturday. Grilled pork that must have been marinated for a couple of days. God it was good. |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 609
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 9:55 am: | |
VIG - if the kids like mac n' cheese, then you have to join my crusade to get it on the menu at CC REGULARLY!!! I had it there a couple of weeks ago and it was, hands down, the best mac n' cheese I've had outside of NYC. So be sure to ask for it next time, and maybe we'll see it on the menu more often.
Joe - yeah, I heard about the Drunken Pig when I went to CC on Monday. Man was I bummed out about that!!! It was my birthday Saturday, too, and I opted for a take out and a movie - should have gotten CC instead of Chinese!!! Darn!
But on Monday I wanted something easy on my stomach so I tried their lentil soup. Good Lord that stuff was delicious!!
Why do we eat anywhere else? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3282
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 10:02 am: | |
Diva, I think they told my husband they have a mac and cheese special but we've never had it. Generally, my kids don't like baked mac and cheese. Monday I made them their basic mac and cheese and they had fruit and raw carrots and we got CC.
Yesterday I had my roti leftovers. I am still thinking about the doubles. Mmmm. |
fredsmom
Citizen
Username: Fredsmom
Post Number: 47
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 6:45 am: | |
We loved this place too! We were kind of scared to go because it always looked empty when driving by. What you don't really realize from the street is that the one table you see in the window is just "window dressing." (They don't normally seat people at that table in the summer because it's too warm.) All the chowing-down diners are down below street level in a large room that's not visible from the street or sidewalk. Waitress was fabulous, sort of "Have you been here before? Don't worry! I'll help!" And so she did! The menu is wild and the food is delicious. Can we back tonight? |
I'm Only Sleeping
Citizen
Username: Imonlysleeping
Post Number: 81
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 10:42 am: | |
I'm reasonably certain that I could eat there five nights a week and be totally happy. Every time I've tried something new (which is hard because I love the rotis so much), it's been fantastic. Great staff, great food. I can't honestly think of a single thing to complain about, and I can always find SOMETHING to complain about. In an area where all of the non-high-end restaurants are pretty mediocre, this place is a real treasure. |
Strings
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 663
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 12:14 pm: | |
Is the food prepared with a lot of oil or butter? I'm considering it for tonight (as per Tom Kerns' suggestion in the Virtual Cafe). The veggie roti sounds delicious! |
Dego Diva
Citizen
Username: Fmingione
Post Number: 612
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 1:08 pm: | |
No, I don't find the food greasy in the least bit. In fact, I usually feel pretty darn good about stuffing myself at this place because I don't feel like I've had anything "bad" for me. I have the fried platain some times, but even those aren't greasy, and I even wonder if they actually bake them.
Strings - give it a try. It's really a delicious, unique, healthy meal, and I think you'll like it. |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 814
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 1:27 pm: | |
I had the Curry Beef Roti last night. Ate the whole thing. Could not get it in my mouth fast enough (I still feel full today). My parents had the Stewed Chicken with Red Bean special. Raved about it. The wife had Curry Chicken which my daughter ate most of (amazing). And the spinach special was a bit salty but no one minded as it was scarfed down. $46 for dinner for 5! I love this place. We've been going there since they opened up. Vidia and Mario the owners are the kindest people. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3294
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 2:30 pm: | |
Ahh man! We just might have to do a drive by for dinner.
NOW I'M HUNGRY!
|
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 230
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 4:00 pm: | |
I'm hungry too - we might stop by also |
angel
Citizen
Username: Angelia
Post Number: 9
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, October 8, 2005 - 11:30 pm: | |
I'm not sure if cc in south Orange has the curry duck. But I sometimes go to the one in East Orange and it's very good it goes well with roti or rice with split pea(dhall) |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1000
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 3:59 pm: | |
OK, I've been talking to the owners about what day the Macaroni and Cheese is served. They tell me that Saturday night is the Wild Card night where they try out new and different dishes. Since the Mac and Cheese is not a regular dish, I will only get it randomly on Saturday Nights.
You guys HAVE TO TRY THE MAC AND CHEESE at Carribean Cusine. I don't know what they put in it (maybe crack or something cause I'm addicted to the stuff). Now I fancy myself a M&C connesseur and I've tried it at all of the local restaurants and this stuff it superior. I will admit I was a bit scared off by the strange blocky presentation, but all it took was one bite for me to be converted.
I've been nagging and nudging the owners to make the M&C a regular item on the menu, but they say that it's not been a big seller for them. THAT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND AT ALL. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??? The only explanation I can think of is that no one has tried it. So keep your eyes open next time your in CC for this stuff and you tell me if it's NOT AMAZING. I dare you. |
Spare_o
Supporter
Username: Spare_o
Post Number: 313
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 5:30 pm: | |
I had the curry chicken with rice and dhal last night and it was delicious as always. |
js
Citizen
Username: Js33
Post Number: 82
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 10:20 pm: | |
we had it tonight & loved it. we had the oxtail w/ rice & the pumpkin-potato-spinach veggie roti, callaloo soup & the double.
we already can't wait to try it again! |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 1002
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 6, 2005 - 9:55 am: | |
JS, when you say you had "it" and loved it, do you mean CC or their Mac and Cheese? |
js
Citizen
Username: Js33
Post Number: 83
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, November 6, 2005 - 11:27 am: | |
I actually tried to order the mac & cheese, but they didn't have it last night. I just meant I loved CC. I can't wait to try their m&c! |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 1374
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, November 7, 2005 - 1:37 pm: | |
I am going to give another plug to J&J on Valley Street.
I was anxious to see if CC had the mac & cheese as raved about above.Saturday night, I lost the dinner battle...I really like Caribbean Cuisine, but my husband doesn't like their Jerk Chicken as much as he really LOVES J&J's Jerk Chicken. We ordered in from J&J. They have a much more limited menu than CC, but their Jerk Chicken is superior. Their stewed chicken is awesome, too, although I've never had it at CC, so I have no basis for comparison.
The people who own J&J are very very nice, sweet people and they remember us even when we don't come in for 6 months.
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