The Place
Caribbean cuisine isn’t something I’ve delved into much (which I’m now kicking myself for), so I was pretty excited to broaden my tastebud horizons when I heard about Blues in Broomhill. Anton Smith and his family opened the lounge, bar and grill in June last year after it’s predecessor South Sea closed down. Walking in to the venue we enjoyed a warm greeting from Anton and his mother who showed us to the spacious seating area, the room bathed in some serious mood lighting going and vibrant street art courtesy of Trik09.
The Food
Feeling a little bunged up, I was planning on just getting a hot drink but Anton tempted me into getting the homemade fruit punch – full of tropical beach fruits like pineapple, apple, orange and guava. My partner opted for the Grape Delight cocktail featuring Old Jamaica grape soda which added a lovely creamy element to the texture. We were having a hard time choosing what to order from the exotic menu of Caribbean treats, so Anton said he would bring us a little bit of everything – winner. After a short while of bopping our heads to some smooth reggae tunes, our food arrived… and plenty of it too.
First up, succulent Negril prime lamb chops slow-grilled to lock in the flavours and served with Blues’ seasoned gravy and rice. Delicious and soulful food. Curried mutton next, a traditional Jamaican dish with beautifully tender meat and scotch bonnet peppers providing a fiery kick. And what’s a Caribbean feast without juicy jerk chicken? Our serving was seasoned and grilled to perfection. However, the highlight for me were the ‘rude bwoy’ chicken wings, which are a big hit here at Blues – and for good reason too! The crispy exterior encasing and well-marinated chicken knocks your standard KFC fare out of the park. Another high recommendation are the patties which come in a variety of spiced fillings – beef, jerk chicken, saltfish, lamb or veg – similar to empanadas and just as moreish, if not more! Shoutout to the vegan balls too; these were so good I was almost inclined to get the wrap version to take home, but alas, we were just too stuffed.
That said, when there are homemade desserts on the menu, it’d be rude to not get a slice of the action. My plate of ginger cake with warm custard arrived, beautifully decorated with thin white chocolate straws. This only took a couple minutes to devour, thanks to my partner who suddenly decided to get in on my pudding after not ordering one for himself – ain’t it annoying when they do that?
The Verdict
‘Bringing the Caribbean to Broomhill’ is their motto. And not just the food – the stage and dancefloor shows show they have more than one string to their bow including DJ events, salsa classes, karaoke, open mic and comedy nights, There’s plenty more to get your teeth stuck into here, not just amazing food.
To check out the full menu visit Blues Bar & Grill’s website. To book a table call 0114 327 9858.
