Because of its link to the Kennedy family, Cape Cod in Massachusetts is one of New England’s prime locations for the jetset. Allanah Bodah, a longtime resident, believed it would be a good place to open a Jamaican restaurant.

Which is exactly what she did three years ago with The Karibbean Lounge, one of four eateries serving Jamaican cuisine on the ‘Cape’.

From Annotto Bay in St Mary, she launched the restaurant to cater to Cape Cod’s large Jamaican and West Indian communities.

“We started August 21st 2020. We chose Cape Cod because this is my home community, and there was a need for Caribbean food with a dine-in experience. There’s a lot of Jamaicans here on Cape Cod mostly from Portland, St Elizabeth, and St James,” Bodah told OBSERVER ONLINE.

Naturally, Jamaicans account for most of her clientele. But Bodah says regulars also include Guyanese, Haitians, Puerto Ricans, Africans and Americans who savour The Karibbean Lounge’s popular dishes which includes curried goat, oxtail, steamed fish, and fried chicken.

Bodah, who manages a five-member staff, started The Karibbean Lounge with considerable experience under her belt.

“I grew up in Annotto Bay, St Mary where my parents had a restaurant and bar from the late ’80s until about 2006. Most of my work experiences here in the US are mainly hospitality, retail and caring for patients. So, I was born and raised into being of service to everyone,” she said.

Scenic Cape Cod is perhaps best known as the home of the Kennedy family. The compound at Hyannis Port is where former president John F Kennedy grew up and spent breaks while in office.

Typical of many New England areas, Cape Cod is known for its abundance of seafood, mainly chowder, lobsters, oysters and clams.

To attract a diverse crowd, Bodah has instituted weekly live events at the Karibbean Lounge such as Karaoke, Games, International and Ladies nights.

Howard Campbell