Because of their huge Jamaican communities, many Jamaicans consider The Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens as the unofficial capitals of New York. That distinction actually belongs to Albany, which is about 160 miles from the Big Apple.

Albany has been home to Dainty Bellanfantie for the past eight years. Two years ago, she opened Dainty’s Jamaican Kitchen, which helps cater to the city’s growing West Indian community and persons drawn to Jamaican cuisine.

On March 6, Dainty’s Jamaican Kitchen celebrated its second anniversary. However, Bellanfantie had no time to celebrate as she was appearing in Tek wey Yuhself, a play at Hostos Community College in The Bronx.

Fans of roots theatre are familiar with the Spanish Town-born actress’ roles in plays such as Bashment Granny, Like Father Like Son and Shebada cum To Town. But she is just as comfortable in the kitchen.

“I’ve always loved cooking…and I strongly believed that the only business that could survive during the (COVID-19) pandemic would be a restaurant…people had to eat,” she joked. “I cook everything in my restaurant….jerk chicken, jerk pork, oxtail, stew chicken, curry goat, fry chicken, stew pork, rice and peas, cabbage, plantains… soup of the day varies.”

A registered nurse by profession, Bellanfantie gave up the medical field to concentrate on establishing her eatery. Although not as packed as the New York City boroughs, Albany has its share of Jamaican restaurants and competition is tight.

What makes her product different? A hands-on approach so to speak.

“There are few other restaurants around the area… to each his own. My restaurant stands out for the traditional Jamaican flavours…I try to bring all that my Granny Inez taught me, as she was the one who showed me all I know in the kitchen,” she said.

Bellanfantie and her staff of two serve a diverse clientele. West Indians, Haitians, and Americans of all backgrounds comprise Dainty’s Jamaican Kitchen’s largest bloc of customers.

Based on their enthusiastic response, Bellanfantie has no regrets giving up her day job.

“My decision was to give my all to the restaurant. I call it my little baby…nothing like being my own boss,” she said.