Liming at Lime House
PUBLISHED July 22nd, 2013 01:56 am | UPDATED May 31st, 2016 04:20 pm
Follow the chargrilled scented stream of smoke above the kaleidoscopic feathers and street dancing at Notting Hill Carnival, London and you’ll find some even better Caribbean street food. This is where I first unearthed my love for jerk chicken and I’ve never looked back.. or even sideways. Now, thanks to Chris Morris, we’re lucky enough to have a funky Caribbean restaurant on our doorstep serving some tasty grub that’s a bit more swanky than the Carnival’s obligatory plastic trays and disposable cutlery.
Proudly parked amidst streets of ever-emerging bars and restaurants, Lime House holds its own with a distinct flavour, igniting some soul and colour into a quirky, multistory shophouse on Jiak Chuan Street.
The food isn’t quite how I imagined it would be. I associate Caribbean food with overspilling large plates and pots made for sharing, convenient to get all your limbs involved in consumption so you can lick them of goodness afterwards. Lime House is more Caribbean spruced up and neatly plated, but still with plenty of punchy flavour.
Firstly, the Caribbean Fish Cakes ($12) are divine. I’m a huge fish cake fiend and these are just scrummy. A mixture between a western-style fish cake and a Thai fish cake. No potato, tasty, nicely spiced and not at all chewy. A great little starter to set you straight for a good Curry Goat.
The Curry Goat ($26) served with coconut rice and peas (rice and kidney beans) is commonly thought of as one of the most traditional Caribbean dishes. Although a fairly small portion, this heavily-marinated goat with plantain and potato pieces makes for a delectably, delicious dish.
Now for some of that soul-warming Jerk Chicken ($24), chargrilled and lightly jerked, suitable for palates which haven’t been treated to, or rather deprived of, the taste of Caribbean food before. If you want to up the flavour, I’d recommend getting a side of Jerk Sauce to go with this ($2).. and a cheeky side of Coconut Rice n’ Peas ($4).
As far as desserts go, you can always bet on chocolate and the ‘Piton’ Choc Cake ($12) upholds the long-established and never-wavering chocolate reputation. Warm, lava-like and every bit bad.
We aren’t just loving Lime House for its food. Ok the grub is seriously tasty, but this spot is perfect for kicking back with one of their rum-based cocktails and listening to some reggae beats on the second floor. (For a fruity, boozy number, go for the Lime House Classic Punch at $16). The second level has a totally different feel from downstairs and actually feels as though you could be chilling out at someone’s snazzy pad with its homely décor, laid back approach to food, drink and life, the quirky bar sporting a serious rum collection and the friendliest, happiest staff in town.
Be sure to make a trip down to Lime House for a taste of something different, or if you find you need your spirits lifted a little..
Written by Superpat
