BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LIME-DAY MORNING comes and I have no idea what to expect. I had received a schedule but I was unsure of where I was going? I ask my friend who is giving me a ride where this place was.
“So apparently I’m to be going to a place called Yonde’s…Do you know where that is?”
“Yeah mahn! Yonday’s, it’s right off the shore; you know..Bay Road, right next to the dive shop,” Said Errol.
I had been there before but I still couldn’t recall. I patiently wait as we get there in less than 10 minutes. I call Trucapo to see where he was and I sit along the wall next to the Shack where Yonday is supposed to be. I look around as the ocean breeze hit my face. A Rastaman walks by.
“How’s it going brother?” the gentleman asked.
“Good, good man,” I replied.
I noticed him take the spot opposite of where I sat, next to the shack. Shortly after another man walks by and stands waiting attentively as I see Yonde smile and wave to me from behind. Yonde starts placing shabby blankets in a ship-style that said welcome. Quickly after that I notice him bring out tray after tray of food in silver pans. Boy, it smelled so good. I started getting anxious as he started opening the lids. Another man calls to Yonde and asks if he is open.
“Yeah man, come grab you some,” he called back with a smile.
Spiced rice, cheesy scalloped potatoes, fresh steamed veggies, pork simmering in its juices, grilled chicken with the skin still attached and creole cajun fish stewing in onions. I ask him for a little bit of everything and for the protein, fish and chicken, because it all looked sooo good.
Before I dig in I notice a quaint little bar with people filled to the brim. I grab two Guinness, one for me and another for Trucapo. Today is Friday, I deserve to lime!
I find a bench underneath a sea grape tree and, as the sun hit my face, I notice the ocean crash to the shore as the wind brushes my hair. I decide it's time to dig in! I go straight for the chicken. Lemon peppered chicken cooked perfectly. Moist yet firm, just the way I like it. With juices covering my face, I take a bite of the rice to sponge the flavor. It tastes like it was cooked in vegetable broth. It complements the steamed veggies perfectly. Sweet and savory. Yum...I take a sip from the bottle and it’s bitter yet refreshing; a darker beer. It’s just the way I like it. I decide to take another bite. Fish this time…I lay it on a bed of cheesy potatoes and it was at that moment I knew what my favorite was. I instantly get up, stop eating and rush over to ask Yonde to spread the fish sauce all over the plate. IT WAS AMAZING! Spicy, sweet and savory with a tang that brings it all together. I could taste cajun, lime, cinnamon, salt, pepper, garlic and onion blended in a way I hadn’t tasted before on the island.
As I sit back down I lay no hesitation to scarf the rest within minutes. With empty plate in hand, I hurry over to Yonde and ask if he could give me seconds. This time however with a whole fish and plenty of sauce drenching every inch of the plate. As he places more of everything, I notice that inside the silver pans the food is almost gone! He goes through food very quickly!
“You are almost out!” I exclaimed.
“Yeah mahn, I have someone grabbing a second batch,” Yonde explained.
Wow...This man is prepared for the rush!
Second plate in hand, I think to myself, “Today I lime like a coconut in the sand!” I then proceed to eat the second helping, and I finish it so fast that I didn’t even have time to let it hit my stomach. As I look back at Trucapo, I realise the mistake I made. I’m stuffed beyond belief….I felt like a jug of milk as I walked over to tell Yonday how much I liked it.
“As you can tell, I didn't like it,” I joked sarcastically.
We share some heavy laughs and he assures me that he is glad I enjoy it. I wait for him to finish serving another customer and ask him if he has a moment.
“Of course!” he exclaimed.
As he says that, the man he just served couldn’t help but profess his love for the food. We decide to videotape his experience as we then talk to Yonde about his cooking.
Check out the video below. If you're looking for a hidden gem that isn't so hidden, come to Yonde’s on the Bay Road. He is there every day from 12- 2:00 p.m.
