Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor
Ann Lyons behind the comfortable and colourful bar at Culloden, in Whitehouse, Westmoreland. - PHOTOS BY ROSEMARY PARKINSON
Culloden district of Whitehouse,
Westmoreland.
Phone: (876) 963 5344
BY POPULAR request, Ann Lyons has reopened Culloden Café. You see, on Easter Saturday while others were flying kites and eating bun by the beach, Ann and staff (Lily Levy, Christine Clarke, Nadine Vidal and Gail Reid), were in the kitchen cooking and baking up a storm for their Dessert Fair. The afternoon tea treated patrons with something not only different but absolutely wickedly delicious - 30 desserts buffet style. I heard it was magnificent.
Ann Lyons' innovative idea will continue once a month at her delightful little property between Savanna-la-Mar and Whitehouse in Westmoreland.
No doubt the bevy of desserts for this 'happening' will please as new 'inventions' are added to some served last Saturday - Chocolate Tia Maria Cake (winner of The Gleaner's Great Chocolate Cake Award), Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Assorted Cookies, Biscotti, Key Lime Pie, Cheesecake, Banana Bread, Coconut Date Pudding, Boston Cream Pie, Black and White Brownies, Lemon Squares, Tropical Carrot Cake and Jamaican Gingerbread.
A NEW VISION
Ann is a very creative woman who brainstorms as to how to continuously keep her patrons excited. She understands the way to successfully run a business. Another monthly happening will be her 'World Food' dinner. With that in mind, book for May 5, when the celebration of Mexico's final battle against the French for their lands so many moons ago (called Cinco de Mayo), will bring on a bevy of Mexican fare to start one dancing on the rim of those larger-than-life sombreros immortalised in many a classic Mexican film.
Tastings
Whilst at Culloden, I tasted Ann's fresh Tomato Bisque with her great home-made bread followed by a Beet, Cucumber and Potato Salad with beets bought from the folks at Kew Gardens that were sweet and tender. Crab Cakes accompanied by a lime mustard sauce were absolutely perfect. Spaghetti smothered by Sausage Balls in a Tomato Sauce hit my Italian love spot. For dessert the Grapefruit Sorbet drizzled with Campari was fine but that slice of a Passion Fruit Pie and Chocolate Nut Cake had to be devoured. My waistline having gone down the drain anyhow, I saw no reason 'to waste' such exquisite desserts.
On the Menu
Other pleasures on the menu at Culloden include (shhhhhh), that delicious Goat Cheese mentioned a few weeks ago that shall continue to remain a secret until I give the full story - that angel with the sparkling eyes must let me know fast when she's to be unveiled to the world. "Get those goats-a-milking my lady for soon you shall be reaping the benefits of your labour," I say. "The word is out and everyone wants a piece of your goat cheese!" And readers now have two spots to taste this divine intervention - Culloden Café and Mockingbird Hill (Portland).
Healthy salads are to be had too at Culloden, "Made with whatever looks best in the market," according to Ann. There's a different Jamaican traditional dish daily for those more comfortable with their own foods but, if you dare to 'step out of the box,' try the African Chicken Stew with dried Apricots and Nuts or the Coconut Curried Fish - the latter with fish bought straight off the fisherman's boat that comes passing alongside the Café's little Gazebo set right on the sea. Drinks include Lemon Grass Ice Tea, Cinnamon Ice Tea, Fruit Punch, Ortanique-Orange Juice and, of course, Kew Park coffee and espresso.
Agri-Tourism
One of the things I admire about Ann is that she ensures all ingredients used in her cuisine are fresh - organic where possible. Most of what is on the menu is made right there in her kitchens. Bread is baked daily. Pies and cakes too. The care with which she and the staff (with whom she has a wonderful liaison) prepare their food should be an inspiration to many restaurateurs. Many should make their way down to Culloden and learn. This is how an eatery supposed to go - no settle-een at patrons expense here.
Ann visits the local market (even the far-off Newmarket) and is rewarded with top quality for her kitchens. Adamant about supporting local farmers (even the small vendors in her area), the menu changes to suit, encouraging them to grow what she requires. Another perfect example of spreading that dollar where it is most needed - with Jamaican farmers - at the same time persuading them to be more creative in what they plant. This is what agri-tourism is all about.
Culloden's Bed and Breakfast
Culloden Café has two rooms for those who want to rest their weary heads. Being totally peaceful, relaxed, serene and unruffled these days is a gift we all deserve. Here is where you just might find your niche. If there's no room at the inn, arrangements can be made through Ann to 'board' at her neighbour's guest house, still enjoying the cuisine at Culloden Café - a fine example of sharing the goodness.
I now belatedly wish you had a happy and blessed Easter. Hope you are all safe and rested. My deepest sympathy to the immediate family and the Hedonism III of Claudia Hamilton (a lovely member of Pastafari Restaurant) who through the indiscriminate and unlawful way some mini bus drivers hit these roads, sadly lost her young and fruitful life, leaving two very young children without a mother.
