Island Flava

Island? meh.
Flava? Not nearly enough.
I stumbled on island flava yesterday. I had noticed the shop in the past but never walked in. Since my friends and I were craving something warm and yummy, we found ourselves sitting down and dreaming of a culinary island getaway.
Let’s be honest here. We understand manning the front of a restaurant is not an easy job. Here was a guy manning the reception AND the kitchen (which only goes to show the food back there COULD NOT BE FRESH as no one else was in the kitchen)… But I wanted to give the guy a break and the place a chance.
As he sat there peering over his macbook, waiting for our orders, I scanned the menu.
I considered going for a Jerk Chicken Poutine (WOAH! genius! like, mind blown!) but decided the occasion called for something lighter. Small Jerk Chicken meal and a water it would be.
Not only was the food stale, it was also not tasty. My friend asked for salt but I doubt it salvaged her meal. The chicken was not falling off the bone as expected. It wasn’t even seasoned right. It was just chicken in some stew. I think I counted 3 beans in my rice and peas and the salad was a joke. The plantains tasted great but two pieces of sweet plantain a meal does not make.
I’m very disappointed. I walked out thinking «Omg I miss Toronto’s RITZ». But I am sure Ottawa has something comparable to offer. This is just not it. The quest begins.
I RECOMMEND: Walking right on by, unless you need a quick beef patty to go.

This used to go this place while I lived in residence. Their food is soo hit and miss, but the hits are big hits and the misses are big misses I guess.
Jerk chicken is one of my favorite foods, and when you come at a good time these guys do a great job of it. The chicken is (usually) fall off the bone and nice and spicy. The jerk chicken plate comes with rice and peas, and salad. The rice can be pretty dry if you go at the wrong time of the night, but generally its pretty tasty with the sauce from the chicken on it. The salad is pretty boring, but I guess it’d be what you expect as a little side salad.
I had the curry once and decided I didn’t want it again. I found it to be pretty bland and not very spicy. I remember it being really dry and I think I ended up throwing it out instead of finishing it all. Again though, its really hit or miss, and I haven’t been able to find a pattern of when the optimal times to go are.
The prices are pretty reasonable, if I can remember correctly you can get a small for under $ 10. However, the portions are pretty small in comparison to other Jamaican restaurants I’ve been to.

For the longest time I didn’t want to come here because I had 2 really not so nice Caribbean meals in Ottawa. I came in thinking I would hate this place but honestly it’s a little run down looking café which I would eat at again if I had a craving for some Caribbean food.
I ordered the jerk chicken combo which comes with rice, salad and plantains. The salad was very boring and standard but the rice and plantains were solid. I tried the jerk chicken and though I don’t think it’s the best jerk chicken in town, it’s definitely the best traditional jerk chicken in town. The chicken had good flavours but was starting to dry out a bit but wasn’t totally dry.
I tried the Jamaican patties here and honestly I think they tasted store bought and cooked. The pastry was slightly dry but the inside had some kick!
The staff working that day was pretty awesome. Great conversation and lots of laughs. Just a note but they don’t have washrooms here.

Today I worked a half day a it also happens to be my brother’s birthday, so we made plans to meet for a celebratory lunch. Being the frugal man my brother is, he suggested we head over to Tuckers Market buffet, where he could enjoy an all you can eat lunch on the house. Turns out my brother showed up almost an hour late giving us much less time than anticipated. A quick though turned my attention to Island Flava Caribbean Restaurant located close by near one of the busiest intersections in downtown Ottawa.
It had been a while since I have stopped by to have a snack on the go or a sit down meal at the establishment and I knew my brother would not resist some spicy Caribbean cooking. The place is a great option for those looking for something quick, affordable and different from the regular ho hum. After ordering we waited mere minutes for a hot plate of food. My $ 8 Jerk Chicken plate came with Caribbean style «rice and peas», a decent portion of saucy jerked chicken and fried plantain. With a good selection of domestic and Caribbean sodas and juices, there is a refreshing beverage to suite any taste in the coca cola fridge beside the front counter.
Caribbean fast food, is a good way to describe what to expect at Island Flava. The food is obviously not made to order, rather prepared in advance and kept hot. It is flavorful, hot, quick and reasonably priced, not to mention relatively healthy. Don’t expect any special amenities at Island Flava. Although there are tables to sit down and have a bite at, it is more of a take-​out counter. Open for lunch and dinner through to the late night hours it is a great place to go for a quick lunch, dinner on the go, or to grab a snack after a night out. Next time I go I will have to try the almost famous jerk chicken poutine. I recommend you try it out.