15. Jamaica: Ocean Grill

Ocean Grill
2442 Dufferin St
(just north of Eglington)
416 787 9181

It's Friday night and the crowd of young locals waiting for their take-out orders is loud and boisterous. There are disputes over who's blocking in who in the parking lot and a tussle over the TV remote. The wall sized murals of sandy beaches and the blue Caribbean help you forget about the below-freezing temperature outdoors.
Raphael comes out of the kitchen to greet us and recommends I try a fish dish. I opt for the red snapper [pictured above] that comes cooked to perfection with mixed vegetables in a delicious sauce and serving of rice and peas on the side, $12.65. Our other main courses are curry goat, with an extra helping of oxtail, that comes with salad and rice and peas $9.00 and a portion of curry shrimp that my friend takes home. We sip ginger beer and bottled water.
Total including tax and tip $40 for three dinners.
It is basically counter service and a large part of their business is take-out. They also do catering and serve traditional Jamaican breakfast dishes like ackee and salt fish, cornmeal porridge and fried plantain in the morning hours.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)