Newport Food Scene: Find a taste of the Caribbean at this Broadway restaurant
One of the benefits of living in a city with a thriving restaurant community is not only do you get the best in local flavor, you also get a taste of other cultures and cuisine.
Someone might think Newport food is all about seafood, chowder and lobster, and they wouldn’t be wrong. But they might be surprised at some of the other options we have in town to savor.
Mexican, Portuguese, Greek, Thai — the island is a melting pot of international flavors for us all to explore. And if when you are looking for your next taste vacation, consider taking a trip to Humming Bird on Broadway for a taste of the Caribbean. It’s a trip you won’t regret.
The restaurant, which opened in 2018, is another charm in the bevy of great places to eat on Broadway. Owners Dezna Bowen and husband Abraham Parkes have built a loyal clientele by cooking up the fresh and unique food they enjoyed growing up in Jamaica.
Bowen honed her cooking skills while working as a chef in Vermont, then later at local Newport restaurants, so when it came time to open her own spot, Bowen knew the tastes she wanted to bring to the City-by-the-Sea.
Her menu has a strong Jamaican influence mixed with some other Caribbean flavors and a few local tastes for those hard-to-please New Englanders. It’s food you enjoy, and each bite gives you a slice of the real island life Humming Bird is all about.
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The vibe inside Humming Bird is inviting. It’s clean and cozy and lit with what seems to be the ideal balance of warm light. There are a few tables spread throughout the room with window seats looking out onto Broadway. There are outside tables as well for dining al fresco on warmer days and nights.
A counter area is front and center as you walk through the front doors with a few stools for dining. Behind the counter area, you’ll find two swinging doors that lead to the kitchen and each time the doors open, your senses are greeted with a waft of delicious aromas.
The music is lively and at a well-managed volume so you can hear the music and your dining companions. A colorful mural of Jamaican hero Usain Bolt adorns the wall that leads back to the restrooms while a prominent picture of Bob Marley hangs front and center, where he can watch over the room assuring all that every little thing is going be all right.
The best part of Humming Bird is, of course, the food. The menu starts with small plates and hot plates and both give you a great introduction to Jamaican flavor. Begin your order with a Patty, a flaky and buttery pie crust stuffed with flavorful meat that makes for a great bite on the run. Or maybe try the Scotch Bonnet Shrimp for a spicy Jamaican favorite that’s served with naan to help sop up that flavorful pepper sauce.
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Move on to the classic Jamaican dish: Jerk Chicken. Moist and flavorful chicken with a touch of spice served with rice and veggies. Or try the Brown Stew Chicken with juicy chunks of chicken slow cooked to the bone and then served over rice.
If you want something uniquely Jamaican, opt for the Oxtail Hot Plate. Tender broiled oxtail served in a rich, flavorful Caribbean gravy and served over rice. There’s plenty of seafood offerings, too, like Crispy Pan-Seared Salmon and Whole Snapper. A few bites in and you’ll feel like you're dining on the beaches in Negril.
There are a lots of vegetarian and vegan dishes available at Humming Bird, just as there are in Jamaica, where Rastafarians stick to a meat-free diet. For a vegetarian meal that will fill you up and keep you happy, try the Jazzy Pasta (fresh penne pasta with sautéed garlic, basil and onion, carrots, bell peppers, heavy cream, mild jerk sauce, and parmesan cheese).
Or for the vegans, try the Red Bean Stew Hot Plate made with beans, dumplings, garlic, onion carrot, ginger and organic coconut milk.
You never want to miss out on the sides at a good restaurant, so at Humming Bird, try the fried plantains with a crispy outside and soft inside. Or you can make a meal out of an order of rice and beans — jasmine rice, red beans and a touch of seasoning — filling and delicious.
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They have an array of salads and sandwiches available. Dig into a Jamaican 5-Spice Fried Chicken sandwich for a delicious little kick in your lunch or go with the Caribbean Green salad for a refreshing and tasty midday meal (shout out to Billy Ocean).
For a breakfast fix, stop in on Saturday or Sunday for some tasty morning meals like the signature Humming Bird (poached eggs on an English muffin topped with sautéed cream spinach hollandaise) or the On The Move Wrap (scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, tomatoes green peppers, red onions and spinach).
And whenever you go there, make sure you leave room for dessert. The homemade Bread Pudding is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of Jamaican rum sauce for a deliciously boozy and sweet ending. Or give the Killer Chocolate a taste — a tart-style chocolate cake filled with layers of whipped chocolate ganache and covered with pure ganache.
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A culinary tour of Newport can be a delicious trip filled with flavors and tastes from around the world. It’s a tribute to the creative chefs and restaurateurs who call our city home and who want to share their roots with us through their food. If you want a true taste of the Caribbean, then make sure you stop into Humming Bird on Broadway. They are cooking up the best of the islands and sharing with us a taste of home. That’s a delicious trip worth taking.
Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality related. His column appears on newportri.com and Thursdays in The Daily News. Cheers!
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport RI: Humming Bird restaurant offers Caribbean, Jamaican flavor
