IMANI CARIBBEAN KITCHEN & BAR – CLINTON HILL, BROOKLYN

This swank, multi-level, Clinton Hill restaurant doesn’t disappoint with regards to their creatively inspired Caribbean menu. To start, I had the Blue Duppy cocktail. The cocktail is made with vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, blue curacao, passion fruit juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and club soda. This cocktail was sweet and refreshing. If you’re from the Caribbean then you would know that a Duppy is a ghost, so the name choice for this cocktail peaked my interest.

As a small plate, I had their Atlantic Cod Fritters with a lime, curry dip. I loved it! It was so flavorful and delicious with a hint of heat. Reminds me of the saltfish fritters I use to eat at my home country’s weekly get together at a park right off the highway on West 145th Street in Harlem. The Nostalgia I experienced eating the cod fritters from Imani was unmatched. Omar had the Jerk Chicken Tacos, but he did not like it. Keep in mind, Omar is a pretty picky eater. He doesn’t like to explore menus and try new foods. He’s pretty much a hamburger and wings kind of guy. So I wouldn’t take his opinion on the dish for face value. I liked the taco, but I am not a fan of jerk especially because I don’t like spicy foods. What I love the most about jerk is when it’s authentically prepared on a grill.

For dinner, I had the curry chicken with jasmine rice and peas. It was sooooooo goood!!! The curry taste more on the Indian side. I assume this restaurant has some connections to Trinidad or Guyana which have large Indian populations. While I prefer Jamaican curry, I still very much enjoy Indian curry. The curry chicken at Imani is divine. The dish was satisfying from the taste to the portion. I was very happy with my experience at Imani and I highly encourage others to taste the island flavors in one of the best cities in the world.