Nikkita's spices MOBAY HIP STRIP

Claudia Gardner,Hospitality Jamaica Writer

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Nikkita's, the trendy new addition to the Hip Strip, Gloucester Avenue.

FINE DINING, French elegance and Jamaican flavour have fused on Montego Bay's Hip Strip.

The three have made one of the most refreshing unions at Nikkita's, Montego Bay's newest restaurant which has been tempting, stimulating and satisfying hundreds of palates since it opened its doors ­ and its kitchens ­ less than two months ago on Gloucester Avenue.

Located opposite the Breezes Montego Bay Resort, Nikkita's was opened on November 23, last year, and hosted six visitors on that very first night, without even having advertised. Since then, a steady stream of visitors - mostly couples, and groups make nightly rounds at the restaurant to indulge in what could be defined as its 'hybrid' cuisine.

With seating for 65, Nikkita's décor features marble floors, brightly coloured restrooms, wrought iron chairs, soft receding lights and candles, with peach French-accented walls, adorned with paintings by acclaimed Montego Bay artist, Elgo. Five chefs and eight attentive and experienced waiters including, the head waiter Gregory Genias are at guests' service.

FOOD SERVED IN LARGE PORTIONS

Nikkita's elegantly decorated dining room.

Nikkita's is opened for dining at 6:00 p.m. daily, until midnight, or until the last guest leaves. Of course, diners must come with a hearty appetite as the food is served in very large portions.

Diners have a total of seven appetisers from which to choose, including the succulent Middle Quarters Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, followed by soup of either Westmoreland Pumpkin Bisque and two others, and a salad of their choice. Of course all this is accompanied with French and sugar rolls.

The main course features a choice of a wide range of seafood, including lobster, salmon, shrimp, scallops, grouper mussels, tuna, salmon and others. There is also chicken or duck prepared in a variety of ways, and a variety of ingredients, as well as meat such as pork, lamb, beef and steak.

Of course, vegetarians are not left out, as Nikkita's serves vegetarian specialties of Vegan Penne pasta made from fresh plum tomatoes, grilled Porto Bello mushroom, roasted bell peppers, and red onions lightly simmered in a marinara sauce with penne pasta. Other vegetarian meals include Casa Blanca Ragout made from Mediterranean spiced vegetables, stewed with flava beans, garbanzo beans, black currants and citrus essence, served over delicately coloured cous cous.

For dessert the list consists of chocolate Tia Maria Fantasy cake, Triple Chocolate mousse, hot sweet potato Pecan pie, Grand Marnier Crème Brulee, rum-citrus basted baked tropical fruits, Blue Mountain Coffee Expresso and cappuccino are the choices for dessert, not to mention the mouthwatering key lime cheesecake, served on top of tropical fruit salsa with an exotic guava sauce.

SELECTION OF CHAMPAGNE

An extensive selection of champagne and sparkling red and white wines are also offered at Nikkita's from as far away as France, Italy, California, South Africa Chile, Australia and New Zealand, among them Dom Perignon Cuvee, Bout Reserve, Moet and Chandon Brut Imperial Vintage, Cakebread Chardonnay, Yellow tail Chardonnay and the Robert Mondavi Baron Phillipe de Rotchild Opus 1, known for its exquisite texture and aroma and the Brut Yellow Label to name a few.

Nikkita's was conceptualised by Robert Joseph, an accomplished chef with over three decades of professional experience, "We wanted to offer an innovative spark to the Montego Bay dining experience. The restaurant is also available for accommodating parties, wedding anniversaries and other group functions," said Joseph.

Head Chef Troy Chung has had eight years experience as a chef in the hospitality industry. He describes Nikkita's as synonymous with haute cuisine, but with an unmistakable Jamaican finesse in name, taste and look, served by well-trained waiters in a refined elegant atmosphere.

"The décor is a new twist to the hospitality industry and MoBay on a whole," he said.

MoBay does not have any other restaurant in which you can have a meal, relax and listen to jazz music playing in the background, so we are seeking to provide something different. The menus are international and so you get a taste of everything, here," he added.