By Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance Writer
The Crocks' chef Allan Juman says his steak sauce is a personal secret. The subtle, spicy taste and tantalising aroma informs me without having to have much dialogue that when Allan says he has a love, passion and a feel for flavour, he really means it. - Photo By Rosemary Parkinson
SO HERE I am still away from my beloved Jamaica. For the last few days I have been wearing a nurse's cap. My Mom is out of hospital and needs 24/7 care so guess who's still in Barbados? Moi. Every day from the gallery I watch Air Jamaica go by towards the airport soon I'll be one of those passengers going north, I keep thinking.
Today, however, I am writing about two great places to visit if Jamaica's national airline's special flights to Barbados brings you here even if for a weekend. Did you know that as one is landing in Barbados, the flight attendant announces that Air Jamaica is the national airline of Barbados? As far as I am concerned it should be the national airline of the world.
Anyhow, let us start with your arrival in Barbados on say, a Friday afternoon. Air Jamaica gets in about 5:00 p.m. and after all that free champagne, filling 'de belly' is generally on one's mind. After settling in wherever you are staying, head to Oistins Fish Market, the Bay Garden (South Coast Road) around 7:00/8:00 p.m. Friday night is a veritable trip there, believe you me women of all sizes and descriptions frying up a heap of fish over coal pots, serving it out as fast as possible to impatient patrons screaming out their orders. There are all kinds of fish flying fish, dolphin, marlin, bill fish, shark and tuna. Fish for days or nights, for that matter. Breadfruit, potato chips, macaroni pie, plantain, pasta salad, coleslaw and tossed salad are some of the accompaniments, depending on the vendor.
Calypso and Reggae blast down the place from all the different little bars and stands while Lexi's the icon in Oistins is choc-a-bloc with dancing couples vying for position on the floor with local Bajans dressed to kill in colouful garb and showing off their 'movementations' to the oldies but goldies. Sweet for days. 'Eff you see some of the steps those ol' diehard men can give you. Luckily I can keep up because the pace gets hot. This is Friday night at Oistins no real need to leave for other parts with food aplenty and no lack of hilarity because of the good old rhetoric from vendors, rum shop owners and clients. The more rum imbibed the louder the chat, argument, laughter and mostly the music.
SATURDAY NIGHT AT CROCKS
As for Saturday night I have to tell you there's hardly a place on the island to beat Crocodile's Den, Payne's Bay, West Coast, believe you me. Owned and operated by ex-jockey and character Harry "Crock" Hinds, 'Crocks', as it is known by all and sundry, gets very, and I mean very lively on a Saturday night.
The best time to get there is about 8:00 p.m. This allows you to get a good seat in the house and a few drinks before eating with Allan Juman who operates the restaurant side of the business. I had a crab back (again just love) them with a Tomato Salsa Salad and avocado slices on the side. Perfection just the right amount of pepper and spices. Crab backs in Barbados are made from land crabs and the meat seems to have more body in my mind of minds.
For my entree I chose yep a good old steak. I picked the sirloin, a '12-ounce' baby that arrived rear to perfection, accompanied by a baked potato covered with garlic butter and sour cream. Yummy. Garnished with raw onion rings, served with coleslaw on a bed of lettuce, the meal was simple but absolutely faultless. Chef Juman tells me the steak sauce is a personal secret. The subtle, spicy taste and tantalising aroma informs me without having to have much dialogue that when Allan says he has a love, passion and a feel for flavour, he really means it. Food is served from early and continues to come out of the small kitchen with a fervour that is unreal. Allan believes in high efficiency so you get good service and great nosh at the same time. Is that not all we the discerning patron wants? And by the way, the restaurant remains open every night until the wee hours of the morning and that is very suitable because at Crock's Den people are still hanging onto the bar sometimes 'til dawn that's if the 'mad' Crock himself does not suddenly turn off all the lights and throw you out.
Now get yourself ready while dining or just having drinks on a Saturday night to a treat of treats. "Mannequins in Motion" doing their thing with a difference. Cabaret in its good old-fashioned style Broadway, oldies but goldies, The Supremes, Billboard top 40. You name it, and Madame Diva, Bianca and Holly do it. Fabulously fabulous changes of costume and style coming out one after the other without the show ever coming to a stop. One and a half hours of pure delight. Look around you might even see a star or two in this mixed up crowd. It's Julian Lennon's (son of late Beatle John Lennon) favourite place. Hollywood star Joan Collins has been seen there as well as actress Minnie Driver and a good few super models, So in between all the pool tables, pinball machines, antiques, signs, memorabilia, paraphernalia and total madness there's a great night to be had at The Crocks.
It might be vain to try and picture Heaven On Earth. But one thing Rosemary Parkinson has learned, in no uncertain terms, is that Jamaica is as close to Heaven on Earth in the Caribbean as you can get. And I miss it believe you me.
