There is a diamond in the rough on Bancroft, near the corner of Upton. Once the home of a well-known neighborhood restaurant and bar, Jamaican Cricket Sport (owned by Dexter’s Restaurant and Bar), the location has been a dining destination since 1985. Three years ago, Joe Dennis, who handled the marketing of the original Dexter’s in 1997 and previously managed Jazzy J’s in Columbus, purchased the space and gave it a new name: The Caribbean Breeze. To its regular patrons, the spot is more affectionately known as “The Breeze”.
Kingsley “Rasta” Miller, Vanessa Ofoma and Joe Dennis keep things easy and breezy in the kitchen.
Feels like the islands
Light reggae background music and the sensational aromas of Jamaican spices fill the air. At the counter near the kitchen, a smiling waitress with a welcoming West-Indian accent is ready to take my order. Head cooks, Rasta and Vanessa, are in the kitchen preparing pots of curry, along with other West-Indian and American dishes.
Owner, Joe Dennis, waves at me from the bar on the opposite side of the restaurant. I join him and order something from the menu, making the tough choice, selecting stewed oxtail over jerk chicken.
I grabbed a Jamaican Ginger Beer, which also comes in a fruity pineapple version, while I waited for my order. Ginger beer is a non-alcoholic soda that tastes similar to ginger ale, but bolder.
The food arrived, a piping hot plate of oxtail, red beans and rice, a vegetable stir-fry (a medley of cabbage, carrots and bell peppers) and a side of baked macaroni and cheese. The oxtail was bathed in a brown gravy, accompanied by small dumplings, typical of African cuisine. The meat was flavorful and very tender. The red beans and rice, plentiful beneath the oxtail meat, were smothered in gravy, creating a delightful combination.
For those who are new to authentic West-Indian/American dishes, The Breeze feels like mid-winter vacation. Make time and give yourself a moment to experience the flavors of the Caribbean.
11am-10pm Monday, 11am-2am Wednesday-Thursday, 11am-4am Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday
The Caribbean Breeze,1840 W. Bancroft St.
419-472-2512