COUNTRYSIDE is back. The once-popular eatery, which reigned as a much-trafficked hangout a decade ago, has returned to the city’s food and social landscape, thanks to an investment stake from the Chai family, most prominently known as the former directors of National Outdoor Advertising.

The resurgent Countryside, officially opening last weekend, hosted a preview of its revamped space at 7 Courtney Walsh Drive for a select audience Wednesday last.

Countryside director Wayne Chai told the Observer that the reopening arose as “we saw an opportunity where the venue was available and we thought we could fill a void in the Kingston entertainment sector, and we got a lot of prodding from JAMPRO and the Kingston chapter of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.”

Both associations, he informed, believed Countryside was a perfect spot to provide quality Jamaican cuisine and entertainment. Chai believes that while the main drawing card will be the venue’s live entertainment, the incorporation of seafood from Lisa Gordon and Miss May’s from Hellshire, desserts and coffees from Nadene and Gina Lazarus, respectively, a fusion of local foods from self-billed Bachelor Chef Shea Stewart, and jerk and barbecued pork and chicken from G’s BBQ should also stand patrons in good stead.

The soft opening of Countryside will see the venue open from Wednesdays to Saturdays, and Chai divulges that on Sundays, there have already been solid bookings of events, including a jazz concert.

Given the various incarnations that preceded the relaunch, Chai says his vision for the space is nothing but optimistic. “We want Countryside to be the premier venue for entertainment, it’s not just music, it’s also art, comedy…you can come here on any given day and you’ll see an art or food fair, or a family event, that’s what we want this to be,” Chai informed. “But long term we really want to have a place where artisans will also flourish.”

On show for sampling at the preview event were a variety of food kiosks that ranged from seafood at Lisa Gordon’s kitchen (fried fish, Cantonese and curried lobster, Oriental and garlic crab, spicy garlic shrimp); Gariel Ferguson’s irresistible jerk pork belly and chicken; Elite Kreations Chef Shea Stewart’s curried chicken, curried mutton, and curried vegetable wraps; Sweet Moments pâtissier Nadene Lazarus’s red velvet, chocolate, carrot, raspberry and Bailey’s cheesecake cupcakes; and pilot-turned-coffee shop proprietor Gina Lazarus’s ginger bread and chocolate mocha lattes, hot shot espressos, and caramel, mocha and pumpkin spice frappucinos.