2002 is the year of the mountains worldwide and for us at The Foodpage it’s a perfect excuse to take you on a trip to Irish Town. The rains over the past couple of weeks have left everywhere lush and green. The mist hovers above, there’s a chilly breeze, and it’s almost winter in Paradise. And yes, the powerful Blue Mountain Range, all 7,402′, plays hide and seek.

Celebrate the mountains with us this year by following us on trails throughout the country. Our one promise is that we’ll stop to eat.

Crystal Edge Restaurant and Lounge. Located a mere six miles from Papine Square this restaurant resembles a house literally constructed on the edge. You might have seen (if you’ve travelled on a weekend) the pans under the blue awning where jerk chicken and pork are prepared. Today, Tuesday, is curried goat and seasoned or gungo rice and peas and it is not until you’ve eaten a plate full, that you understand why at 12 noon another pot of goat is being prepared.

The goat is so intoxicating that first time visitors to Crystal Edge, Anthony Senior and Kevin Sadler, members of the IGL sales and marketing team on a sales call to Strawberry Hill, made a mental note to stop for lunch on the way down. Thursday’s Foodpage is informed by them, that this is a worthwhile stop. Banking consultant, Adrian Reces, describes this restaurant as the place for excellent food. In fact there’s not much talk inside this cosy clean eaterie which boasts four, four-seater tables, tiled floors, an overhead ceiling fan and cable television. The bar — clearly central to the location — has a dedicated bartender and serves the most delicious sorrel and fruit punch.

Owner, Winsome Hall is a proud resident of Irish Town — a place where she was born and still feels very much at home. Her culinary journey started at Holy Trinity Secondary, followed by a two-year stint at Kingston Technical where she pursued studies in the Food and Nutrition Department. Her weekend jerk sessions now in its eighth year, gave her the confidence to build a restaurant, and offer meals on a daily basis. She’s a bubbly person and knows her clients by name. The community is her main support line and she holds them in as much esteem as they do her. She tells the Foodpage of her daily offerings, whilst exchanging pleasantries:

Monday – chicken — cowfoot and beans.

Tuesday – curried goat and steamed fish.

Wednesday – stewpeas which sergeant John Hylton of the Irish Town police force calls “delicious”

Thursday – chicken chop suey.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday jerk chicken, pork, festivals, bammies

Patrons prefer to sit outside and watch the trucks, cars and bikes make their way up the mountains. The blaze of purple alamandas immediately in front of the restaurant provides more beauty to an already amazingly scenic setting. No longer a fan of chilly weather I remain inside, and tuck into my goat and mini bottle of sorrel. The goat is excellent, the rice could be a little drier, but the meal on this blustery day is definitely moreish. The sorrel is good, and thankfully not served with any ice.

The plates of home-made Jamaican delicacies costs the same as they do elsewhere — $150, the fish a bit more — at $180. I forgot to ask Winsome if there is dessert, none was offered, but the FoodPage will find out on the next trip. What better way to escape the city and enjoy a curried goat comparable to Moby Dick. So take the road to Irish Town and it’s just before you get to the left turn for Strawberry Hill. It might be a good idea to call on a curry goat day and reserve two meals.