As soon as you walk into Island Fresh Cuisine, the Caribbean music greets you before the host or hostess ever gets the chance. Upon sitting down, the chill atmosphere makes it hard to do anything but relax, have a drink, and let the good times roll.

When Island Fresh Cuisine says they serve authentic Jamaican cuisine, they mean it! After staring at the huge selection, I started off with fried plantains and an order of their complimentary festival sticks, which consist of fried dough with powdered sugar. Both were highly addictive, as I quickly found I couldn’t stop eating either. The plantains were fried perfectly with a lightly caramelized crust and a soft yet delectable inside. The festival sticks were sweetened just right and struck an ideal balance of firm yet spongy.

For my main course, I ordered the chef’s signature curry chicken with rice and peas, homemade cornbread and steamed cabbage. The rice and peas complemented the full flavor of the curry chicken wonderfully. The cornbread, with its unique texture, was a pleasant contrast to the southern-style cornbread most are accustomed to, although the fried plantains may have been a better choice for the entrée. Despite my general aversion to vegetables, I couldn’t stop eating the steamed cabbage.

For those who are wary of trying Jamaican food, a few American dishes are also available, such as the standard burger and fries combo. Entrée prices range from $10 to $30 with a few $9 deals. For more social patrons, every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. is “Happy Hour on the Island.” But perhaps the greatest perk is convenience: To partake in the Island Fresh Cuisine experience, all you have to do is venture three to five minutes from campus and enjoy.

For more deals and promotions check out the Island Fresh Cuisine website at http://islandfreshcuisine.com.