DISCOVERY Bay Caribbean restaurant is in the spotlight again.
The restaurant’s far-from-camera-shy owner Barrington Douglas will be back on our TV screens next week for Channel 4’s Iron Chef UK.
The Huddersfield man was among just 20 chefs picked from 8,000 hopefuls to take part in the show where viewers will see him take on Michelin star chef Martin Blunos in a cook-off.
Next week’s shows will add to a string of TV appearances for Barrington – who’s mission it is to bring Caribbean food to the masses.
Only last year the self-taught chef featured in Gordon Ramsay’s F Word and previously appeared with Gary Rhodes on Channel 4’s Rhodes Across the Caribbean – touring the islands with the celebrity chef.
But despite all the media attention, Discovery Bay on Wood Street has remained true to its focus on relaxed fine dining.
There’s no pomp and precision about the food served here and the dishes are still reasonably priced.
Discovery Bay wears its heart on its sleeve – serving good, hearty and authentic Caribbean food with a modern twist.
My brother and I were immediately cheered up after stepping into the restaurant from a cold, dark, rainy November night.
After a warm welcome friendly staff fixed us a drink as we perched on our bar stools and flicked through the menu.
It’s unusual for a restaurant review to talk about dessert first but I’m still dreaming of the restaurant’s perfect ginger cake.
If you decide to dine at Discovery Bay be mindful that you’ll probably regret it if you don’t make enough room for one of the restaurant’s scrumptious puddings. My slice of home-made ginger cake came served with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream. A heavenly mix of sweet and spice that gives you a soft warm and fuzzy feeling. Meanwhile, my brother demolished a warm ginger and pineapple crumble which was spectacularly served inside half a hollowed-out pineapple.
For starter my brother ordered the Discovery Bay BBQ Ribs – the pork was so succulent it just fell off the bone and the BBQ sauce was given a Caribbean twist with jerk spices.
I opted for the sweet potato and vegetable spring rolls – it was a good portion served with salad and sweet chilli dipping sauce. The sweet potato again gave the classic Chinese dish a Caribbean twist.
For my main course I enjoyed the Finger Licking Rum Chicken with Chunky Breadfruit Chips. The chicken was marinated in blue mountain herbs and spices and then coated in a sticky rum and stout sauce piled up on breadfruit chips. It was perfect comfort food on a cold, rainy day in Huddersfield.
I’ve never had the Caribbean staple of breadfruit before – just like its name the starchy fruit tastes a little bit like freshly baked bread. It wasn’t an immediate favourite for my taste buds but well worth a try.
My brother was a little more adventurous and opted for the curried goat. He’d never tasted goat before but the meat was tasty and tender with a thick curry sauce containing fragrant hints of pepper and ginger. The dish came served with rice and peas – which confused my brother slightly – he didn’t realise Caribbean ‘peas’ are often kidney beans.
There’s a range of dishes on offer at Discovery Bay including various options for vegetarians.
The atmosphere is relaxed, comfortable and friendly and the staff are lovely and accommodating.
It’s very small inside and always full – so make sure you book to avoid disappointment.
