Callaloo

Has the new Caribbean restaurant in SW opened yet? If so, anyone been and care to review?

Forgive me if I spelled the name incorrectly.

 

I could be wrong, but I thought the opening was sometime in July. If I see the owners at church tomorrow, I'll ask them.

 

I think they had a "now hiring" sign in their window - that's got to be a good sign (literally)!

 

"Opening the 1st Weekend in August"

(according to the Clipper Magazine ad)

 

It is now official apparently - got a flyer in my door and everything. They're opening this Friday (8/17). We've been waiting for this one to open!

 

Can't wait to get my sweet plantain fix - yum!

 

Here is a link to the menu for those interested.

www.callaloocuisine.coml

 

Wow they have goat and ox tail, interesting. You have to admire someplace that has the guts to come up with such a different menu, we'll definitely be trying it.

 

Just give me rice and beans and some plantanos

 

No conch fritters? No callalloo soup? Maybe they'll expand the menu?

 

That menu looks fantastic. Can't wait!

 

Youngest daughter is working at the front and they are opening on Thursday. Now - - I have read many posts from people trying the new restaurants that open in our fine area and I would like to finally say - if you don't want to wait, be patient, be understanding of a few screw ups - DON'T GO UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST MONTH!!!

Having opened two restaurants, you cannot possibly anticipate and train to get it right from the start especially with the crowds in our area. So either be patient or don't go because all new restaurants go through the same thing.

That being said - seems like great owners, really unique menu, unique drinks (passion fruit yum) - great coffee (they lock it up at night) - - it is nice to have a change of pace in town.

And be nice the hostesses.

 

I like to see how a joint develops after going there a few times. The wife and I will probably go in the first week or two and keep going. We don't pass judgement until after the first couple of times we go and there has to be some MAJOR screw ups.

Because my wife doesnt eat meat we are just happy that they have a lot of fish and shrimp on their menu. Most of the other "Island" places in our old neighborhood meant jerk chicken and pork...and nothing else.

 

I'm hoping for some plantain soup myself! Finally, something with flavor and different!

 

We went tonight for the first time and give this new restaurant RAVE REVIEWS and a BIG THUMBS UP! Family of four, two young children. Very reasonable. Children are provided with packet of crayons (pyramid shaped, will not roll of table) and placemat to color on (the one that has an adhesive strip on the top and bottom to keep in place). Very impressive. But wait there's more! The food was excellent. We ordered and ate Lorna's meatballs, sweet potato fries, very interesting and good, carrots and mango as a side to the kids mac and cheese (my girls ate the whole bowl of macaroni and cheese and said it was better than red robin, which for my family makes that mac and cheese the best around in northern VA. My favorite food off the menu was the jerk chicken wings appetizer on top of mesclun mix with homemade citrus dressing. I will eat that as a meal since I like so many of the sides and desserts there. I personally think those wings are the most tender and most flavorful I have ever tasted. Forget the Buffalo Wing House!

For dessert I recommend the mango pie. It was magnificient!!!! Also for those of you who have taught their kids about plantains versus bananas at the grocery store but never really tried them you have to try the sweet plantain dessert. I have to admit I was really nervous to try it since there is habanero and brown sugar in that dessert BUT LISTEN TO THIS. I asked more about this dessert and it is prepared in a special way: there is something called the scoval unit, which means basically that the habanero mixed with the brown sugar takes the heat OUT OF THE DESSERT and leaves the flavor. I did not taste spicy with this dessert. It was absolutely delicious!!! Try it!

When we were there the steel drum was playing and the general environment was very welcoming. Even from the beautiful dishes (muted brushstrokes of carmel butter and sage) to the darling silverware (fish tailed).

WE WILL BE BACK!!!! I sure hope this establishment flourishes. This is truly a place you will want to bring out of town guests, business dinner guests, and a great take out, in addition to a frequent family dinner.

HOORAY!!!!!!

 

We gave the restaurant a try today at lunch and loved it. The service was excellent. The waiters know the food and were helpful regarding selections. The owner is a sweetie and she knows how to cook. The food was delicious and fun. I'm happy that there were so many vegetables on my plate. We tried both the jerk chicken and the curried chicken. The kids loved the curried chicken. We also got a sample of their bean soup that was perfect on a dreary day like today. Overall we got a lot of quality food for a very reasonable price.

We'll be going back.

 

WOW - sounds like a great place - I'm all for places that serve LOTS of vegetables, that's one of my objections with restaurants....not enough veges. I often order double.

 

Callaloo is awesome. The staff is really nice and wants to please the customer. The food is sooooo yummy. The Chef even came out to talk to us and ask us what we thought. She even said she would try new recepies. I am so happy we have a resonably priced restaurant with great food and a welcoming atmosphere. Try the seafood speacial! Everyone needs to go to Callaloo!

 

Add our voices to the growing chorus of praise for Callaloo!! Had dinner there tonight - Jerk Chicken sandwich, Jerk Chicken entree, and Curried Chicken entree. Wife and daughter had Key Lime pie for dessert. Good, attentive service, food was great plus lots of items on the menu we want to try on future visits. One of the owners came by to chat as well - very personable!

We will definitely be back! Boy, we have to count ourselves lucky, Broadlands - Callaloo Cuisine, Anothai, and American Flatbread in our neighborhood!!! I just hope they all get enough business to survive - so if you haven't tried any of these places yet....what are you waiting for!!!

 

My god, you sound like a paid advertisment for these restaurants!








Oh, And I agree with you 100%