By Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance Writer 
Above: Black Eye Pea Soup with pumpkin.
ASHANTI FOODS
Hope Gardens
Old Hope Road, Kingston
Phone: 389-0649
Price for the meal for two J$500. Opening hours: Seven days a week, noon to 6:30 to 7 p.m.
IN 1881 the Government purchased 200 acres of the Hope Estate to establish experimental gardens. Some 50 acres were then parcelled out to develop and distribute new varieties of sugar cane with 10 acres being used to plant teak, Trinidad Cocoa, Pineapples and Liberian Coffee. The rest made up the Botanical Gardens of Kingston -- a place for recreation, sightseeing and picnicking for all those who cared to spend a day away from the hub of the city. A zoo with animals from around the world added extra excitement. I have heard many a Kingstonian (some in their 50s) tell of the exciting days they would spend with their families at Hope Gardens with the added remark that unfortunately, the Gardens have been dormant for some time. Sadly, as time progressed, families have refrained from even considering walking through to enjoy.
Well, I have news for those who have not noticed. The Gardens are being revived and I know that the zoo is being worked on by a group of dedicated people. Financial help from corporate Jamaica would aid to bring this amazing area back to its previous glory. Donations to certain sections could be hailed with a simple unassuming sign saying "this area maintained by ------." A show that the companies to which so many ordinary citizens of Jamaica pay their dues give back something to those who are indeed the backbone of their businesses -
a cause that will continue to be
a legacy for all to enjoy in the years to come.
DIVINE INTERVENTION
When Yvonne Hope was feeling as though the world was on her shoulders, she decided to walk through Hope Gardens (was it her surname that caused some divine intervention here?) and bucked up on a small building, empty and just waiting to be made into something special. She later learned that it had been carded for a restaurant. Alas, as fate would have it, having put in her application, the tender was given to someone else.
It seems to me that she never gave up hope (pardon the pun) because not long after this bitter disappointment came the news that she could indeed have the place as the other interested parties had given up the fight.
With little money Hope began her preparations and opened her doors with little pomp and ceremony. She tells the story that on that first day she had spent her last money (and indeed had borrowed some) on enough vegetables to cook for about 30 people. Opening on that particular Monday, she prayed for the people and need I say more? They came, ate, enjoyed and spread the word. As quick as a wink, Kingston knew that there was a 'veggie place' in Hope Gardens and slowly but surely her clientele began to grow.
"I had to wash tablecloths every five minutes as I did not have the money to buy new ones but God is so good and look, this week I have finally invested in some new ones."
My companions and I -- one an avid meat eater, the other a vegetarian whose presence at the table had everyone calling out to me something about Royal Palm as it appears I resemble a villain in the television series -- just ordered the whole menu of the day. They passed on the dessert but, you know moi, Miss Sweet Tooth did not.
The Black Eye Pea Soup was absolutely delicious. Filled with pumpkin, black eye peas (of course), onions and other natural seasonings, it was thick and rich. Then came a plate filled with Veggie Mince wrapped in Pak Choy served with a tomato sauce (absolutely amazing, a beautiful aromatic taste -- perhaps the pimento seeds?) and a divine Brown Stew Tofu (chunks of Tofu, sweet peppers, onion, garlic) topped with a gungo rice and peas that was just fabulous.
We each chose a different natural juice. My Otaheite was wonderful and later I had a soursop (fit for the gods). My dessert was Soya Scream and as if that were not enough goodness, our smiling (and have to add) fantastic waitress Marcia brought a whole-wheat dhal patty that I just had to taste, according to her. Hello folks, now you see why I complain about looking like a tub? I hope The Gleaner will pay for my six months in
a fat farm. He! He! And Yeah Right.
POUI TREES WERE
ABLAZE WITH COLOUR
A show of nature surrounds this little restaurant in the middle of Hope Gardens -- the Poui trees were ablaze with colour; the Bougainvillaea, an artist palette; the gigantic old trees (some flowering ready to bear fruit) oozing history. A light breeze purring through the palms and firs and over the green sprawling lawns just added to the magic.
The ambience of simplicity, calm and serenity is just what one needs if you work in New Kingston as one of my
companions does. At Ashanti there is an aura that permeates the place, helped of course by the well appointed waterfall and river that runs right through the restaurant. The bridge connecting the two sides from the kitchen area adds a touch of 'oriental' to the whole show.
"This is a labour of love and now I know that anything we want in life we can achieve it. It's all about focus. I have to give thanks to the Almighty -- to those who have supported me. You know, I always helped others and never focused on myself but now it's a two way thing. Praises," says Hope as we hug and say goodbye.
"This whole scenario, this great food entices non-vegetarians to try the way of no meat", said Lord Entrepreneur, one of my companions. "This is where I shall bring my business colleagues for small meetings". (It didn't take a week before I was invited again, this time with 'wifie' straight from the gym, who was completely aghast at the whole picture and immediately began the Tom Tom Cellular phone drums to all her friends).
Yvonne, it's now all up to you girl.
Rosemary Parkinson wishes she was nothing but an old wise tree planted in Hope Gardens.
