Calabash

Last night, a few coworkers and I went to Calabash Bistro for a small un-farewell dinner for E (a person, not a drug). It was probably my first time ever (knowingly) sampling Caribbean fare and I had no idea what to expect, other than that it would be good.

Located on Carrall Street near Hastings, it's not exactly in a visible or desirable area. But you walk in and you're immediately in a place where your troubles melt away. It's so laid-back that you too will want to be adding "mon" to the end of your sentences (none of us went that far though). We were seated downstairs at a roomy booth by a small stage where musical acts play nightly. The walls are lined with the painted faces of legends (or so I believe) and you don't feel like you're in Vancouver anymore.

We started off with some drinks. This place is stocked with rum so I tried out the Coconut Jumby, a coconut and rummy version of a mojito. Yummy. But I wanted it a bit sweeter so the very friendly bartender/waiter quickly did that for me. M and S got the Calabash Dark & Stormy and E got white wine.

I ordered the Calliloo soup to start and it took me awhile to get used to the different spices. I probably wouldn't order it again but at least I tried it once. Everyone else's starters were more successful. S got the roti and dip (I can never dislike a roti!), M got the jerk poutine (I am not a fan of poutine but quite enjoyed this), and E got a chicken patty. We then surprised her with a Flaming Lamborghini, a drink that the bartender concocted for special occasions. It basically consisted of 4 oz of alcohol (I want to say vodka?) lit on fire which E had to sip through a straw. More alcohol was added after that. At one point I thought she was going to burn her eyebrows but luckily she survived unscathed and slightly tipsy.

For our mains, M and I shared the vegetarian platter (I know! Me? Vegetarian?!) which I quite like, the stars of which were the fried coconut dumplings (imagine a sweet cornbread) and the channa salad. E and S each got curries, one seafood and one chicken. They were served in cool stainless steel stackable bowls that were held together with a clasp pre-serving.

All in all, it was a new experience and a nice way to spend a few more hours with E before she left the country forever. The service was great and the atmosphere was unique. The whole time I was thinking of how my afrophilic friend Asi would enjoy this place on a whole other level, especially with Notorious BIG's doppelganger playing the keyboards.

If I come again, I will definitely order dessert and stick around for the live music.