When I suggested Shirley’s Retreat Hotel, no one in the party of three had heard of it. The menu seemed quite exciting for the price so we looked up Maven Avenue on GPS and headed off for our annual Restaurant Week experience.
We navigated with great patience through Kingston’s evening traffic and finally found the little nook just off Hope Road. Warm and friendly servers greeted and ushered us to our table. To start off, we decided to forego the Hummus and order Saltfish Empanadas for two appetizers. They were accompanied by a delectable pineapple sauce that left our taste buds dripping with drool for the next course. Less impressive was the vegetable soup, and we found the garlic bread wanting. However, we decided to withhold judgement until the main course arrived.
For the entrée, we order two dishes of steamed fish and a creamy shrimp pasta. The fish turned out to be a sizeable red snapper simmered in coconut milk served with bammy and crackers. Yes, it was as finger licking as it sounds. Were it not for the anticipation of dessert, we would have thoroughly cleaned our plates.
You know how you sometimes order a shrimp dish and you wonder if the shrimp got lost on the way? This was definitely not the case with the creamy shrimp pasta. Loads of shrimp are wrapped in a bed of creamy linguini and topped with cheese for a burst of flavour in every mouthful. Mmmm, mmmm, good!
By then, our stomachs were almost bursting at the seams, but who could resist fresh banana fritters with ice cream? Whoever thought of this delightful combination must have been divinely inspired! We also tried the Yummy Cheesecake, (one of the best in town) and Fay’s Forbidden Fruitcake – a close reminder of grandma’s homemade Christmas cake.
As for the customer service, Shirley’s Retreat gets two thumbs up! The servers were pleasant and polite, and kept the food flowing without delay. The staff had obviously prepared the venue for Restaurant Week and created a welcoming atmosphere with beautifully decorated tables for indoor and outdoor seating.
If you’ve never been, Shirley’s Retreat is highly recommended for an evening dining experience. The restaurant opens at 6pm daily. They also host weekend fish specials from noon to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
*This review is the writer’s opinion based on personal experience. No compensation was received or offered for this article.