Nicolita

To my glee, I was treated to an impromptu lunch at Rumba Island Bar and Grill in Clearwater.  Yes, it’s a chain restaurant and everybody knows how I abhor chains. However, it was a pleasant surprise.  Specializing in Caribbean fare, I ordered the Mahi Mahi Ocho Rios stuffed with blue crab and topped with Hollandaise sauce.  The sides were Jamaican greens and coconut rice.  I was told the greens were collards which I knew had to be wrong, being Jamaican-American and all I knew Jamaicans eat callaloo which is less bitter.  The chef sent me an impromptu amuse-bouche of the greens.  To my horrible delight it was “collard greens”!  It melted in my mouth with the salty taste of pork and butter.  I sent the waiter with a message to the chef saying “Irie mon”.  The Jamaican chef (wow how authentic) said I made his day.  Cool place to chill out, Bob Marley playing in the background is always good for the soul.