Anyone who lived through Snowmageddon in January would probably laugh if I started talking about the similarities between Newfoundland and Jamaica.
Both islands, nicknamed “The Rock,” possess a culinary history shaped by centuries of shipping molasses and rum, and of course an albeit necessary love affair with cod.
From fish and brewis in Fortune to ackee and saltfish in Kingston, a delicious Atlantic island culture is shared.
Until recently, those keen on Caribbean flavours haven’t had much choice in the capital city — Jamaica Taste has been operating out of the St. John’s Farmers Market and on Skip the Dishes — but now Sunny Days gives diners the option of a brick and mortar establishment.
A communal effort by owners Sean Dunn, Tyler Hickey and Brad Noray, Sunny Days Caribbean Restaurant opened on Aug. 9 at 7 Queen Street, downtown. Both Dunn, who worked as a chef at the convention centre, and Hickey, former chef at Saltwater Restaurant, bring years of cooking experience along with Noray who learned to make Trinidadian and Jamaican dishes from his grandmother.
I met up with a friend for lunch a few weeks back to check out Sunny Days. And it was just that: sunny. From the minute we walked in (sanitizing our hands at the door first; masks were also available to those that needed them) we felt the warmth. The enthusiastic reception at the counter as we ordered our food, the brightness of the mural in the second-floor dining space and the heat in the housemade scotch bonnet sauce.
The menu isn’t large at Sunny Days, but the goal is to make it as authentic as possible. Traditional Trinidadian and Jamaican dishes are on offer like jerk chicken, stewed oxtail, doubles, peanut porridge, phoulouries (spiced fried dough balls served with tamarind dip) and curry chicken roti.
We ordered and paid at the front counter and headed upstairs to wait for our food. As we sipped on our Grace Island brand sodas ($2.75 each), pineapple for my lunch companion and kola champagne for me, we soaked in the island vibes of the second floor with its cerulean blue walls and colourful mural that banished all traces of former restaurants.
I opted for the Jerk Chicken ($15.75), which came out balancing atop a flavourful pile of peas and rice, a Caribbean staple side. Don’t expect green peas here; traditionally the peas are pigeon peas which are swapped out for kidney beans in a pinch.
The grilled chicken had just a hint of smokiness and the right hit of spice from the scotch bonnet peppers. It was a little saucier than I was expecting, but what jerk would complain about that?
At Sunny Days you can order curry chicken ($15.75) with peas and rice or with roti. My dining companion ordered the former and raved about the flavourful chicken and chunks of potato mingling in a slow-cooked curry sauce. Both mains come with a healthy serving of housemade tangy coleslaw and hot pepper sauce made daily.
Then it came time to devour the thing I had been looking forward to the most: the beef patties ($4.75 each). Having lived in Toronto for several years I have become well-acquainted with the Jamaican beef patty, which is a snacking institution in the city, and something I miss. The Sunny Days rendition did not disappoint. The perfectly curried beef tucked inside the pillowy pastry brought me right back to Kensington Market.
Though we’re headed into the fall, I predict many Sunny Days ahead for the downtown dining scene.
The Details
7 Queen St.
St. John's, NL
A1C 4K2
(709) 221-8443
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5-11:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Sunday: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Accessibility: One small step to the entrance of the building, dining area and washrooms are on the second floor.
Noise level: Low, with music.
Reservations: By phone or online
Take-away: Available via phone, Door Dash and Skip the Dishes
Meal for two with sodas, tax and tip: $55
Gabby Peyton is a freelance food writer based in St. John’s. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gabbypeytoneats.
