By Hope McMillan, Contributor
This story on the Go-Local Jamaica we site for St. Ann. Please check out this and other interesting stories at www.go-ochorios.com
IT WAS not shaping up to be a good evening. I was hot, unsure of where I was going and was in no frame of mind to conduct an interview. But I plodded on, intent on meeting my deadline. My mission was to write an article on 'Passage to India?'
"Isn't that a movie?" I thought when it was suggested. "Well yes," I was advised, "but it is also the only Indian restaurant in Ocho Rios."
Passage to India turned out to be a delight to my sensibilities. As I came around the corner of the spiral staircase, I was transported into another world, where the aroma of spices over-activated my olfactory glands causing me to crave a taste of whatever goodies were available - where the sounds of Indian music enticed your imagination - and where Indian craftwork and architecture transformed the decor of the room offering you a piece of India.
Rajni Sud, manager and part owner was there to greet me, and we settled down to chat.
Where, I wanted to know, had this idea come from?
It seems that after years of being involved in the hospitality industry, her husband and now business partner, Rajeev, decided to start their own business.
The idea of an Indian restaurant was a natural to the two. It was, after all, their culture, epitomised what they loved and most importantly would be something new and different in Ocho Rios.
All it now took for this idea to be brought to fruition was a great location. This they found on the roof of the Soni Plaza on Main Street.
It was love at first sight - high above the noise and clutter of the busy street, with a view of the beautiful Caribbean Sea. They took it.
Passage to India officially opened its doors on February 14, 1999, and has now enjoyed three years of successful business.
"It's Indian," said Rajni. "The chefs are straight from the homeland. The attitudes of service and of course the food, that is mainly North Indian cuisine, is outstanding.
To create and maintain its authentic Indian taste, the restaurant imports its ethnic spices directly from India. Some patrons swear by the tender filet mignon (yes, some Indians do eat beef), while others go for the lamb, mutton, or seafood treats.
OPTION
For customers who are careful about spicy foods, a very informative menu gives the option of having each dish made either mild, medium, or hot. A little elephant next to an item on the menu means it's a Passage to India signature dish, and a Jalapeno pepper... well, you know what that means!
"We brought India here," she said. "Down to the very tandoor ovens (pronounced like it is spelt) were imported from India."
The airy rooftop restaurant is now flocked by a diverse clientele, from Indians in search of home cooking to Rastafarians smitten by items like the Mattar Paneer or the Dhal Makhni from the wide vegetarian selection.
Average cost of a four-course meal with 'accompaniments' and drinks for two people is J$2,135. Add about $600 to the total if you have a lobster or shrimp main course, and subtract $200 if you go for a vegetarian entree. Subtract $200 more for skipping the salad.)
Passage to India, located in Ocho Rios, was voted 'Best Indian Restaurant' in The Gleaner's 'Best of Jamaica 2000'.
Contributions by Tony Morrison
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