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| A Taste of the Islands by Stephanie Morris Bridgetown Grill is a Caribbean paradise right in your own backyard. With multiple locations throughout the Atlanta area, it’s a neighborhood restaurant for both food and fun. The bright atmosphere, variety of food, exotic drinks and friendly service distinguish it as a hot spot for friends to gather and gab, co-workers to meet and unwind after a long day, a date with a crush or a family night out. The influences of the Caribbean are widespread, and that concept is reflected at Bridgetown Grill. Owner Greg Vojnovic likens the style to fusion, a melting pot of cooking methods and ingredients stemming from multiple cuisines including, Spanish, French, African, Indonesian, Dutch, Chinese and Cuban. The goal at Bridgetown is to introduce patrons to a different flavor and style of cuisine, service and atmosphere than they’re going to get at another chain. When you first sit down, there is a glossary of terms waiting at the table. It’s “Caribbean 101,” detailing the history of the food in the Caribbean, including “Island Lingo,” a list of descriptions that translates into layman’s terms key ingredients and sauces in their food. The appetizers at Bridgetown are built for sharing. A favorite is the conch fritters, fried to perfection and served with the ajilimojilli sauce, a cilantro pesto for dipping. Another staple are the jerk wings, seasoned in a special jerk spice and then roasted and grilled. Or you can try the fresh baked pineapple bread, served alongside homemade guava butter that truly melts in your mouth. Bridgetown’s signature dish is the jerk chicken, prepared with the right mix of sweet and spice and served with a raspberry coulis dipping sauce. I also recommend the chipotle shrimp. Succulent shrimp are sautéed with smoked chipotle peppers, sweet corn, mushrooms and onions and then smothered in a light cream sauce. If seafood doesn’t suit your craving, try the guava barbecue spare ribs. Tender baby back ribs are slow roasted and slathered in Bridgetown’s special guava barbecue sauce. Also included with the entrées are sides of black beans, rice and a scoop of island salad. Another option is to order one of Bridgetown’s Jumbo Island burritos. Have one filled with your choice of the jerk chicken, mojito steak or even ask for a vegetarian alternative. Greg says that while there aren’t dishes specifically labeled vegetarian on the menu, your server can help you choose a dish to be tailored to your request. In the spirit of the islands, Bridgetown has exotic drinks to please your palette and wash down your meal. You can taste the Caribbean with a tropical fusion martini, made of tropico citrus rum, melon liqueur, fresh tropical juices and a splash of sprite. If you’re in the mood for a frozen specialty, I recommend the Rasta Rumba, which has a layer of pina colada, topped with a layer of strawberry daiquiri, finished off with a layer of the mangorita. They also offer a non-alcoholic refreshment such as the Caribbean soda, which consists of mango nectar, pineapple and orange juice blended with lemon-lime soda. No dinner is complete without satisfying your sweet tooth. Sink your teeth into a slice of the sweet and tangy key lime pie, complete with a crumbling graham cracker crust. Chocoholics don’t despair, there’s a rich treat awaiting you called the Voodoo chocolate layer cake, or try an equally rich non chocolate alternative, a towering piece of tropical cheesecake. Gluttony is a staple at Bridgetown, proved by the size of the large portions served. Greg’s goal is to blow people away at a reasonable price. “Value doesn’t mean cheap. It means you pay a reasonable price for what you think is good,” Greg said. Greg is constantly is trying to strike a comfortable balance between trying new ideas and sticking to the ones people continuously enjoy. The menu is updated frequently, and individual dishes are tailored accordingly to reflect new ideas and the tastes of the customers. In addition to taste, Greg has other priorities to focus on such as service and atmosphere. His staff is professionally trained for superior service, but also to have fun with the job. Greg believes that when the staff is enjoying themselves it rubs off on the customers, making everyone happy. The interior of the Buckhead location is decorated in bold colors in the spirit of the Caribbean. There are murals on the walls and glass fixtures that are all created by local artists. To further enhance the island dining experience, Bridgetown has been experimenting with live music. The reggae style of music adds that extra oomph to create a festive atmosphere. When the weather is nice the deck is open for outdoor seating. Greg became the owner just three and a half years ago. Even after working in the restaurant business for over 24 years, Greg still insists he is in the “people business,” rather than strictly in the food business. In this short time he has built on the original success and themes of Bridgetown and taken those to a new level exploring new opportunities. He’s updated the physical appearance of each location and then implemented menu changes to put a new twist on the existing flavors. Bridgetown is a Caribbean adventure, a mixture of food and fun where everyone is bound to find a favorite. If you fall in love with any of the sauces you taste at Bridgetown Grill don’t despair, you can buy a bottle for Caribbean fun in your own kitchen. |
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| from top: Croquettes; Jerk chicken; Owner Greg Vojnovic (on right) with manager. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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