When Tonya Dean and her business/life partner Alicia Dean opened their new restaurant in February of this year, they did so with a lot of passion, but also trepidation.
“It was scary,” admitted Tonya. “We really didn’t know if we would succeed.”
That feeling of fear isn’t exactly a novelty among first time restaurateurs, but the reason for Tonya’s and Alicia’s apprehension was.
For here in the Bluegrass Region, where barbecue and Southern comfort food are the norm, their eatery, Islands in the Stream, was an homage to the culinary cornucopia of the Caribbean.
Walk into the 48-seat restaurant, and you might need sunglasses for the décor in shades of pink, gold, orange, green, blue, red and purple. Photos of author Ernest Hemingway, who sailed from his home in Key West to Cuba whenever the spirit arose, and reggae king Bob Marley line the walls.
Colorful Tiffany glass-style macaws perch on chandeliers, and a feeling of carnival prevails year-round.
In what can only be described as an epic understatement, Tonya says with a laugh, “We’re not subtle.”
If the décor isn’t subtle, neither is the food. Tonya emphasizes the freshness of the ingredients, allowing as how “the only thing frozen is the French fries.”
While the seafood is shipped from the Gulf Coast, the meat is local, courtesy of Elk Hollow Farm in Lexington. That proximity comes in handy since the most popular menu options, according to Tonya, are the jerk chicken and jerk chicken wings seasoned with 15 different house made spices.
If you are not a fan of jerk meat, however, the expansive menu offers plenty of other options.
As an appetizer, start with that island favorite Conch Fritters (five golden-fried
fritters made from tender conch meat and spiced batter, and served with a side of their “Jamaican Me Crazy Sauce.”
These ladies may have a sense of whimsy when it comes to naming their dishes (just try a bowl of their “Marry Me You Jerk” soup), but they are serious about using the freshest ingredients and a whole lot of love.
“People tell us that our seasonings are the closest they have found to the real ones in the islands,” says Tonya.
What better to go with the hot flavors of the Caribbean than a cold tropical drink such as house favorites Rum Punch and Pina Coladas. Go ahead, twirl that umbrella – you know you want to.
Tonya’s fascination with Caribbean cuisine comes naturally, acquired from many visits to the islands.
“I first fell in love with Jamaica years ago,” she says, adding that the island’s colorful culture captivated her from the start.
She also has a soft spot for Haiti, calling it “poor but gorgeous,” and saying that it was “where I first discovered my love for complex seasonings.”
Alicia, who while sharing her spouse’s love for Caribbean food, has never been to the islands. That will change in September when Tonya will introduce her to Jamaica, her Island in the Sun.
Meanwhile, Richmond residents and visitors can enjoy their own little slice of paradise in the Bluegrass Region at Islands in the Stream.
Try dishes such as Jerk Chicken with Coconut and Mango Rice, Cuban Pork Panini marinated in a pineapple and banana sauce and Kickin’ Caribbean Ribs marinated overnight in their secret sauce.
Your inner Jimmy Buffett or Beach Boys may just kick in and you will find yourself humming “Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya; Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama; Key Largo, Montego, baby why don’t we go?”
You won’t even need a passport. Grab your credit card and head to Richmond’s own Islands in the Stream.
