By Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance Writer 
The Red Rooster Free House
Hastings Main Road
Christ Church
Barbados
Phone (246) 435 3354
Opening hours - 5 p.m. until
Bands - Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
YEP I am still in Barbados land of the flying fish the same flying fish that according to Bajans, "the Trini's tief from them and dey have to buy it back to serve the tourist dem".
The only flying fish I have had came in a frozen package, already prepared, by Fisherman's Choice no, not President's Choice Thank God a Bajan company. They were not bad at all so again come on Food People out there, let's get with it before President's Choice does!
No. I am not on holiday. I am not basking in the sun as I should be. I am in fact working my little tail off and in between trying to get stories to you my Gleaner readers. I arrived after Crop Over so all the festivities were finished although the discussions as to who should have won what continue in every rum shop and on every corner. Then there's the "Mash Up and Buy Back" song that was used for the Road March I have that one packed in my suitcase ready to bring back for my staff to listen to daily!
But in between the work, there has been some imbibing of Mount Gay Rum (miss my Appleton 'though). Brought a bottle of the 125th Anniversary edition for my parents and it was downed in one night. Of course, there has been much food. During the day, I insist on driving up to Miss Monica at Warrens (close to the Shell Gas Station) who for under US$1.00 serves me up a 'moggudon' of food from the back of her van my meal for the day that little loss of weight before I left Jamaica will not be replaced under no circumstances.
Then there's the perfunctory visit to 'Granny' at Eagle Hall Road for my Saturday Pudding & Souse. Pudding is made from sweet potato and spices, replaced into the intestine of the pig and served up with pickled pork, laced with chopped cucumbers, lime and peppers (Bajans just call this Pickle) "Granny yu does know I like my pickle so try yu best sweetheart sugardumpling and pour a little more into that souse do and doan forget me piece of breadfruit yah!"
THE RED ROOSTER
The other night, however, I was invited to the Red Rooster on the South Coast. My first dining out experience since I arrived. I have been too busy to think I've been renovating, painting, cementing, tiling constantly covered in horribly smelling construction thingies and wishing I was back in my beautiful Jamaica daily. Soon come home, promise.
The Red Rooster Free House is owned by James Blades and his wife Mandy. James is also the Chief Executive Officer of Coconut Court Hotel on Hastings Main Road and recently has embarked on a magnificent project the Restoration of the Pavilion Building that was part of the British hold in 1806. It had been lying in total disrepair and disgrace for so many years.
James is a young man heavy on environmental issues and the preserving of the Barbadian culture hence his involvement in this costly project. Once finished, this building will be a five star membership networking facility. Phase 1 a five star Restaurant (the Chef a two times Michelin winner at 33 years old who intends to get his third at this top-of-the line restaurant). Phase 2 a Health Spa and Pool and the last phase 30 to 50 luxury suites but, this all does not stop here. The membership alone should raise some US$1 million in fees that will be going directly into Community Development improving the lot of Barbadians who are in need.
The doors are scheduled to open on October 18 and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh has confirmed his attendance naturally James is hoping that his Prime Minister, Owen Arthur, will be right beside him. I guess it's for all these reasons that James has been nominated for the Caribbean Entrepreneur of the Year Award and will be in Jamaica on September 27 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Rose Hall, St. James for the ceremony. We wish you all the best James you certainly have worked very hard towards this recognition.
But let's talk about the Red Rooster Free House. There's not a night this place on the Hastings Main Road isn't kicking. With a Barman like Romeo, a Night Manager like Nick, most beautiful and pleasant staff such as Natasha Knowles and Rea our waitress; the great music, fantastic service, occasional bands and all in all pleasant atmosphere, there is no doubt that these
are all the prerequisites for a
successful place.
LIKE A VAMPIRE
Amongs starters, there were dishes such as Crudite Fresh Raw Vegetables with Chef's Dip, Thai Beef Salad with a Coriander and Thai sauce marinade. I chose the Chicken Liver Pate with Cumberland sauce and was not disappointed. The Menu offered a good choice of Salads from Nicoise to Greek but I went straight into the main course.
I have been staying with a whole set of vegetarians on the West Coast so it was a joy to order the 10oz. Sirloin Steak with Peppercorn Sauce extremely rare. This was served with Mashed Potato, Broccoli and Red Cabbage, I dug into the steak like a vampire out of blood. Perfect. Naturally, the menu had such things as, Grilled Dorado (commonly known in Barbados as Dolphin) Pork & Bangers, Lobster and all manner of poultry but it was red red meat that I absolutely craved for and believe you me I got it.
The Red Rooster also offers nightly specials that include from Rack of Lamb to Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding and a good wine list from Champagne to Red, White and Rose. Being an ESA Fields girl (Bajan White Rum) really, I was overjoyed to find it as such a 'classy' bar (it's a rum shop ting!). I had several with a twist of lime that 'dessert' continued until almost three in the morning, when I had to pull my little 'cutie' companion away from the bar heading back home to the Gold Coast and into bed for an early rise and back to work, work, work.
Rosemary Parkinson has joined the construction force
of Barbados and cement, paint and bleach are her new middle names. She desperately wants to come home for a big bowl of Cow Head Brown Stew and Rice & Peas! Thanks Ryan Jones, Barbados, for the use
of your computer and internet!
