Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge for the parish of St James Dr Claudine Lewis starts the much-anticipated countdown to her culinary gems.

“Food should be enjoyed, savoured leisurely and should not be eaten only for sustenance. I like freshly prepared food that’s as close to source as possible; meals should also be balanced and healthy. I love how food brings us together and forms a key part of our cultural identity. For me, getting to know a new place means getting to know the food, so for me, it’s also adventure.”

No review of the dining scene in Montego Bay or St James would be complete without the most recognisable restaurant name in Montego Bay.

Sitting on the Hip Strip, The Pelican Grill has been serving up tasty local dishes for almost 50 years. It’s a casual dining option, but funnily, when I was in high school, we thought it was fine dining.

This is the restaurant my uncle and parents took me to after high school graduation ceremony for dinner. I won’t say how many years ago that was, but close to half of the time that the restaurant has been in operation.

Since then, The Pelican has been a staple for me and most of my local and overseas friends. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The service can be slow at times, but most of the wait staff have been there for years and greet you by name after a while and even pre-empt your order — for people like me who order the same thing each week.

My regular order almost every Saturday/Sunday morning like clockwork is the weekend special of callaloo and salt fish with yellow yam and green bananas. There is also the option of boiled or fried dumplings and ripe plantain. It is my favourite place for a hearty breakfast when I take a break from my home-made granola on the weekends.

The callaloo is not overcooked, tastes fresh and is well seasoned. The menu options include other standard Jamaican breakfast fare: kidney, ackee and salt fish, corn pork, as well as a yummy steamed snapper with okra — my second favourite when I grow tired of callaloo and salt fish. American breakfast fare is also included like eggs and pancakes, as well as standard Jamaican lunch/dinner options and seafood.

If you’ve never had their jumbo malt it’s an absolute must. It’s a sure antidepressant. A word of caution, however, the jumbo malt is chock-full of calories and may lead to serious weight gain if you over-indulge. Pelican does a grapenut, vanilla and chocolate jumbo malt. The grapefruit is my favourite, but they are all yummy and is my pick-me-up on a stressful or low mood day.

THE PELICAN GRILL

Gloucester Avenue

Hip Strip, Montego Bay

952-3171