Thank you for the love from last week’s column. It is not easy to lay bare internal struggles but this medium of writing often allows one to see theirself and others to see themselves in it. I am grateful for it all. Now let’s talk about food!
In the spirit of “now get back out there, kid, and give ‘em hell,” I have been reaching out to friends and colleagues to get together and talk shop over some good victuals. Being in tune with myself, and not overthinking what will be, are my first steps. After that it’s, “what do you feel like eating?”
My first outing was with one of my favorite Food Network (the glory years) personalities, Ellie Krieger. Krieger and I became friendly over the years from traveling in a similar NYC food circle after I gushed over her white chili recipe, which I still make to this day. After seeing each other at an event, we decided to make it official.
Krieger suggested we go to a new restaurant that lives in the iconic upper westside eatery Good Enough To Eat. This almost half-decade old restaurant historically serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch only (and perfectly). Before I could question the recommendation, she told me the restaurant becomes Bar Manje, a Caribbean restaurant and bar, for dinner service seven nights a week.
Helmed by 35-year veteran, St. Lucian chef Kingsley John, Bar Manje is a reflection of his West Indian roots and his NYC fine-dining experience working under chefs like Daniel Boulud and Marcus Samuelsson. The low lights, the right music, and the good vibes meet you at the door and instantly set you straight.
Kysha Harris photos
Krieger and I walked into Bar Manje already knowing what we were going to order because we’d salivated over the menu. We started with the Trini doubles ($12). Not going to hold you, the best bite of the night. Get two orders…or three…ask for their house-made peppa (hot sauce), plus a draft beer, and it’s goodnight Irene. Other appetizers were an uber-flaky crust Jamaican goat patty that comes with gravy sauce, ackee and saltfish spring rolls, and corn soup.
For entrees, we had curry crab fried rice and the chef sent us five spice beef lo mein to try. Had we been a larger party, the oxtail lasagna and jerk octopus would have got, got. However, there was no room left for the coconut cake or various other Good Enough To Eat baked goods. But next time…
Thanks for reading and happy eating!
Kysha Harris is a chef, food writer and editor, culinary producer, consultant and owner of
SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for over 23 years. Follow her on Instagram, @SCHOPnyc and on Facebook, @SCHOPnyc.
Questions, comments, requests, feedback, invitations! Email us at AmNewsFOOD@SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @NYAmNewsFOOD.
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