Island Delights

On July 5, 2013 I had lunch at the new location of Island Delights, a Caribbean Restaurant that had moved in early June to 805 North Loudoun Street, Suite 102, after being at 821 North Loudoun for several years. It's in a small strip shopping center just north of Jackson Street. A smoker was fired up out on the parking lot, and the cook told me that she was preparing Jerk Chicken.

The menu included Jerk Chicken, Curried Chicken, Curried Goat, Curried Oxtail, Curried Shrimp, Brown Stew; Lunch Specials, Appetizers, Sandwiches, Wraps, Jamaican Patties, Seafood Delights, Chicken Entrées, Pork Entrées, Beef Entrées, Goat Entrées. Cook's Specials, Kid's Meals, Beverages, and Desserts.

The menu was actually the old one used at 821 North Loudoun. The waitress said that a new one was being printed that would show the correct address and incorporate additional items. I asked about the Jerk Chicken, and was told that it was somewhat spicy, but not extremely so.

I decided on a Jerk Chicken sandwich, with a bottle of Jamaican Cream Soda to quench the fire. The sandwich came on a large round roll sprinkled with sesame seeds. It was good, with a degree of spiciness near the upper limit of my tolerance, but not eye-watering.

The interior of the restaurant is brand spanking new. The blond hardwood floor, white ceiling tiles, and pastel green walls give the room a light and airy appearance. A table for four just inside the door on your right, with two booths further back.

The bar in the rear has high-rise chairs, but the shelves were not stocked because the liquor license is still pending. More seating was provided by five tables for four in center of the room, and a segregated area along the wall to your left has three tables for four.

I'm putting Island Delights on my keep list, and plan to bring friends and family here who are interested in ethnic eating. As far as I know, the Tropical Island Coffee Café on West Piccadilly is only other Caribbean restaurant in the immediate area. Both places feature a Jamaican cuisine.