At the Edge of Hipster Miami, Home-Cooked Jamaican Food
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
MIAMI — When you’re craving ackee and saltfish nothing else will do. Which is why last week I ventured to Wynwood to check out Palatino, a Jamaican restaurant on the edge of Miami’s burgeoning hipster neighborhood.
Owned by husband-and-wife team Patrice and Slim (she’s from Haiti, he’s Jamaican), the NW 2nd Avenue restaurant is a mash-up of Haitian art, Caribbean color and Jamaican cuisine with a Spanish name.
“Palatino was the name of the restaurant when we bought it,” Patrice explains. “It was going to be really expensive to change it, and since it means something to the Puerto Rican people who live in this neighborhood we decided to keep it. Besides, we’re all one Caribbean, right?”
Right. But let’s focus on the Jamaican here; what about the ackee and saltfish?
I’m happy to report that it tasted as authentic as any I’ve had in Kingston: Piping hot, nicely spiced, with a consistency that straddled the sweet spot between firm and mushy. Must be the Kingstonian chef that helms the kitchen. At least that’s my justification for also devouring a couple of Johnny cakes; some jerk chicken; fried plantain and a baked-to-order beef patty.
Because when you’re craving ackee and saltfish Jamaican food, nothing else will do.
