Why Mombasa tastes Caribbean flavour

Tomas Kral, Project Manager of the Caribbean Punta Cana Restaurant (left), attempts to taste some of the soup prepared by Kenyan chefs at the restaurant ahead of the opening, August 18, 2017. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]

You do not have to visit the famed holiday destinations in the Carribean for a taste of its cuisine.

The Punta Cana Restaurant located in the upmarket Nyali area in Mombasa County promises to excite Coast taste buds.

The eatery opened its doors for the first time last Friday with a luncheon attended by Mombasa’s top tourism executives and business fraternity.

Project Manager Tomas Kral said they were prompted to open the restaurant by the need to bring authenticity of the Caribbean cuisine, culture, vibe and flavours to the Kenyan coast.

“There exists a big gap on the Carribean experience here in a country famed for its diverse tourist attractions. There is only one such Caribbean outfit in Nairobi,” he said.

“We have typical meals such as pepper roti, sweet corn fritters and mainly jerk sauce,” said the manager.

He said they took consideration of the cosmopolitan nature of Mombasa and have embraced Halal food targeting the mix of both Muslims and Christians.

The inner setting of the restaurant features vibrant colours reflecting Caribbean coastal and with Caribbean music playing softly in the background.

The restaurant opens for breakfast at 7am up to 10pm. Though it is modest in size, its space radiates the sort of comfort and coziness you might associate with a neighbourhood coffeehouse.

Its upper deck has a wall mural of Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt and music legend Bob Marley.

Kenya Coast Tourist Association Chairman Victor Shitakah welcomed the opening of the restaurant.