Throw the word “diet,” “waist trainer” and the phrase “summer body” out the window.
The second annual Caribbean Restaurant Week is upon us, from June 22 – 29. Fourteen different locations are prepared to satisfy your taste buds, stomach and most importantly your wallet with discounts prices.
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADACA) in partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (BCC) collaborated to bring Caribbean Restaurant Week back for its second year. According to Carlo Scissura, president and CEO at the BCC, Caribbean Restaurant Week is important to support the dynamic Caribbean community in Brooklyn particularly.
“Brooklyn is the capital of the Caribbean in the USA,” Scissura said. “We are where Caribbean’s work, where they raise their families, where they own businesses and our job at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is to expose incredible places like Suede. Not just to the Caribbean community but to non-Caribbean.”
“Caribbean Restaurant Week, this is the way to go. Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and WIADACA are delighted to get together and display the type of food we are used to,” Thomas Bailey, president of WIADACA, added.
Through a submission process, restaurants offer either discounts or prix-fixe menu deals to encourage any hungry customer to enjoy selections of their menu.
Fairly new to the scene, Suede Restaurant — located on Clarendon Road between East 56th and East 57th streets — served as the location for the official launch featuring samples of dishes such as their Oxtail Pizza and Salmon Balls. Manny Mensah, marketing manager at Suede, encourages anyone stopping in to see the location as an extension of their community to host events, enjoy great service and most importantly delicious food.
“We are a neighborhood restaurant and we want to be all about the community,” Mensah said. “We want to be able to give you great Caribbean food and great service with that.”
Also offering small bites to all in attendance were last year’s launch host D’Savannah Bar and Lounge as well as Vivid Café.
For Natalie Lamming-Scott, president at D’Savannah Bar and Lounge, Caribbean Restaurant Week allows for restaurants to show that there is more to Caribbean food than the typical rice and chicken dishes.
“I think this is a great way to help the community embrace our culture through the food. A lot of people think Caribbean food is just jerk chicken, rice and peas, plantain and there’s so much more to Caribbean food,” Lamming-Scott said.
To the sounds of steel pan soloists and a hip-hop violinist, the vibe was set for a Caribbean affair equipped with beautiful Masqueraders.
Caribbean Restaurant Week is not just about food. This weeklong celebration reaffirms Brooklyn as a prime destination for fine dining experiences we once believed we had to cross the Brooklyn Bridge for.
“We want everyone to know that the Caribbean culture is alive in Brooklyn. We no longer have to cross the bridge for dining,” Scissura said.
Take advantage of lunch and dinner specials including $15 to $35 prix-fixe menus while available. See below for a full list of the participating restaurants.
Melissa’s Gourmet Deli
$8 Lunch Special, Manhattan Restaurants
62 W 62nd St, New York, NY 10023, United States
(212) 265-9393
Milk River
15% off entire bill, Brooklyn Restaurants, Special Menu
960 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, New York, NY 11238, United States
718- 636-8600
*** Special Milk River Prix-Fixe Menu***
D’Savannah Bar and Lounge
$20 Lunch / $35 Dinner Brooklyn Restaurants
1460a Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, New York, NY 11210, United States
646-401-5250
Puerto Viejo Dominican Bistro
$8 Lunch Special, Brooklyn Restaurants
564 Grand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238, United States
718-398-3758
Island Cz Cafe LLC
$15 Lunch / $25 Dinner, Brooklyn Restaurants
743 Franklin Ave., Brooklyn, New York, 11226
718-576-6700
Kombit Bar & Restaurant
15% off entire bill, Brooklyn Restaurants
279 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
718-399-2000
Vivid Cafe
$20 Lunch / $35 Dinner, Brooklyn Restaurants
4617 Avenue D, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11203, United States
718-451-0735
Flamingo Restaurant & Mantra Lounge
15% off lunch, Queens Restaurants
120-04 Rockaway Blvd., South Ozone Park, NY 11420, United States
718-835-1000
https://plus.googl
Delroy’s Jamaica Grill Bar and Lounge
15% off entire bill, Brooklyn Restaurants
14 Duryea Place, Brooklyn, NY 11226, United States
347-770-9300
Negril Village Restaurant
$20 Lunch / $35 Dinner, Manhattan Restaurants
70 W 3rd St., New York, NY 10012, United States
212-477-2804
Sugarcane Restaurant
$20 Lunch / $35 Dinner, Brooklyn Restaurants
238 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, New York, NY 11217, United States
718-230-3954
Suede
$15 Lunch / $25 Dinner, Brooklyn Restaurants
5610 Clarendon Rd., Brooklyn, NY 11203, United States
347-4747-328
Meat, Veggies, and Pasta Restaurant
15% off entire bill, Queens Restaurants
118-16 Rockaway Blvd, South Ozone Park, NY 11420, United States
646-927-0916
www.yelp.com/
Jamaica Grill
15% off entire bill Offers, Brooklyn Restaurants
321 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, New York, NY 11216, United States
718-398-3375