SHORT REVIEW: Bahama Breeze Restaurant,
7/15/01 Raleigh,
North Carolina
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The flavor of thyme, allspice and
other herbs and spices brought that authentic Caribbean taste
to the dishes I sampled. |
Bahama Breeze Restaurant
3309 WAKE FOREST DRIVE RALEIGH,
NC 27609
Phone: (919) 872-6330 |
Bahama breeze will make you
rethink the idea that a large restaurant chain cannot provide
authentic tasting Caribbean food.
As a huge skeptic of chain restaurant
fare, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the food served up
on a recent visit to Bahama Breeze in Raleigh. The menu, with
choices ranging from Caribbean meat patties to yellow rice and
beans- and plantains of course - is a successful blend of English
and Spanish Caribbean cuisines. The fish in a bag, served with
yellow rice, black beans and plantains was well done indeed,
although I didn't care much for the candied plantains. The fish
dishes were nicely seasoned and not overdone. The flavor of thyme,
allspice and other herbs and spices brought that authentic Caribbean
taste to the dishes I sampled. No one in my party was up to trying
the meat dishes, other than Paella, but if the rest of the menu
measures up to the fish dishes, they are sure to be good. The
portions were huge so there wasn't room for desert. The service
is quick, the staff friendly, and willing to make recommendations.
There is also a large selection of exotic mixed drinks to choose
from.
If you plan to visit Bahama Breeze,
be prepared for a wait. The lines are always very long but you
can spend the wait time nursing a drink or sampling appetizers
in the outside patio area while listening to music.
In addition to the Raleigh location,
there are Bahama Breeze restaurants in Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham,
Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Ft. Myers, Indianapolis,
Las Vegas, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Oklahoma City, Orlando,
Phoenix, and Rochester. Interestingly, Bahama
Breeze, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and Aruba Red restaurants
are all owned by Darden Restaurants, Inc.
dm.
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