After hearing a ton of rave reviews about this place, I knew it was high time to pay a visit to Calabash Bistro. I made reservations for two, which was a good move because it was pretty dang busy. It was a crazy day at work so a rum based cocktail was in order. Calabash is a rum lover’s haven. They have an amazing selection of aged rums and cocktails. I tried to read over the list steadily and without bias but then I read “El Dorado 3 year old rum shaken with fresh organic coconut water, agave syrup, muddled lemongrass, mint and lime zest” (calabashbistro.com)… umm, yeah, sold. I practically yelled “Coconut Jumby, please!” to the bartender.

What a beauty. I might have helped finish off my dinner companion’s Jumby as well. Just doing my part to make sure nothing goes to waste.

It was food time and I had already planned what I was going to get beforehand (thank you, online menus). Then I was thrown a curve ball. Plantain chips? Yes. That had to happen before I hit up the Jerk Chicken. Boy, was I glad I made that decision.

These were so addictive. Spiced, crunchy, a little sweet… dang, I could really go for those right now. We devoured those pretty fast. Time for another cocktail? Okay.

The Dark and Stormy (apt name for the quality of my photo): “Our version of the national drink of Bermuda; Ginger infused Goslings Black Seal with homemade ginger beer, Angostura bitters, and house made ginger syrup” (calabashbistro.com). Holy heck, this was a gingery party in my mouth. I highly recommend getting one of these bad boys. 

The staff was super nice and although I found the food took a little while to come out, our server made sure to keep the cocktails coming and reassured us it wouldn’t be long. Not a big deal, I was enjoying chilling with my rum and chum.

Then, low and behold, my Jerk Chicken Board.

As you can see, I forgot to take a picture before I dug in. Garlicky veggies, seasoned and flavorful beans and rice and some “Oh My God” inducing Jerk spice chicken. I did the food dance. I was relieved that the rice was so tasty because it took up a large portion of the plate and nothing guts me more than a slab of flavorless rice. That being said, I only got two pieces of chicken. That was a little disappointing considering it’s a $14 meal. But man, did those two pieces pack some punch. I want to take shots of the Jerk sauce and chase it with Jerk soaked limes. 

I loved this place; the atmosphere, the rum, the food, the rum and the rum cocktails. To quote my favorite childhood movie, I give it “two very enthusiastic thumbs-up”.