12.12.08: Out to Mango room

Her char-grilled pork loin overwhelmed by a jerk of a sauce

To celebrate His bro's birthday, He, She, and His mum and bro convened at the Caribbean- infused Mango room restaurant in Camden. She had the char-grilled pork loin with jerk sauce, while He settled for char-grilled chicken, also with jerk sauce . A plate of mixed leaf salad and two bowls of rice 'n' peas showed their support.

His char-grilled chicken steps into a puddle of jerk

SHE SAYS: Once the din from the Annual Convention of Rip-Roarin' Restaurant Shouters and Hooters died down (upon their departure), I rather enjoyed my sweet and mildly smokey pork plate. The pork was a bit fatty, and the sauce thinner and more sugary than I would prefer, but t was altogether satisfying. The rice and peas were v dry and unappetising, but I put a few down my neck for filler. The salad was a tangy, garlicky surprise, and the bro and I concurred it was one of the best things on the table.

The peas resting in their desert of rice

HE SAYS: Usually this place is a little more low-key in atmosphere, but, being the staff xmas party season, it was brimming with office workers determined to have a good time. This translates to drinking as much as possible and generally trying to be the most loud and obnoxious person in the place. Thus, this was not a good start to our meal.

After a half-hour wait for the table I had booked, We were finally seated. Since We have been to this place a couple of times before, We knew what to expect foodwise and what to order. The jerk sauce in my opinion is pretty good, not too-too shweet and has a subtle hot kick to it. The chicken was tender and not at all dry, unlike the rice and peas, which were a desert of sandy blandness. The salad was a surprising high point, more yummy then a plain mixed leaf salad would have you believe. Must've been the special sauce.

The green salad makes its presence felt

The rowdy tables of drunk revellers left halfway through Our meal, so things ended up on a high note, or perhaps a quiet one at least. Everyone seemed rather satisfied with the meal, which acted as a rehearsal dinner for Our Xmas Day truncated-family festivities.

25.02.08: Jerk chicken, rice 'n' peas, and greens

A hearty plate: Chicken marinated in and baked with Reggae Reggae sauce, smokey greens with ho-made harissa stirred in, and mild, coconutty rice 'n' peas made with red beans. Combined the remains of last nite's salad with spinach, cucumber, and radishes for a touch of cool and fresh (forgot to take the pic!).

SHE SAYS: Hit the spot. Harissa is the perfect last-minute add-on for the boiled greens, all minty and garlicky. Looking forward to having leftover creamy rice 'n' peas tomorrow at lunch.

HE SAYS: I like me some of that Jamaican jerk chicken! Rice 'n' peas again were tasty. Can you eat too much coconut milk? If it's wrong, I don't wanna be right. I could eat it straight out of the can. The souped-up greens were full of flava-flav, and the salad was kickin' it, too.