Above: Dub Jam in Covent Garden (All photos by CJ)
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
LONDON — Living in London (or visiting) and jonesing for jerk? Head straight for Covent Garden and check out Dub Jam, the tiny Bedford Street boite where Jamaican flavor is served up seven days a week.
Open since last March, the 25-seater is already winning raves for its Jamaican-heavy Caribbean menu, which stars spicy jerk chicken skewers; irresistible sweet potato fries; and a yummy Sound System burger, made with molasses-cured bacon and avocado, that has to be tasted to be believed.
While pouring me a shot of their potent rum punch (a sweet but sneaky concoction made with Wray & Nephew overproof rum) shift leader Tyree Lamont talks about the rum shack’s guiding philosophy: “At Dub Jam, we serve the flavor of happy.”
I take a sip as I soak up the vibes at this rockin’ restaurant where vintage reggae from the British label Trojan Records fills air already redolent of peppery island spices. Glancing up at the colorfully graffiti-ed walls to the Caribbean rum collection – and already feeling the punch’s effects – I instantly understand exactly what he means.