Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judges Adolph Raynor and Annaliesa Lindsay review Fusion Multicultural Cuisine

Walking up to 10 Dominica Drive in New Kingston, you may be surprised to be greeted by a concierge tapping an earpiece and radio-ing in your arrival. This whisper of words is simply a fitting introduction to the moody, exclusive ambience behind Fusion Multicultural Cuisine’s ornate front door.

The Tickets

For starters, we explored Kenya, Japan and South Korea with Nairobi Wings, Chicken Ramen and Glazed Korean Pork Belly. Portion sizes were perfect and the establishment even managed to make the ramen “chibi” sized.

Jumping into the mains, we enjoyed a two-fish serving of Coconut Curry Snapper with Steamed Bammy, Shrimp Mac & Cheese and Lamb Chops with steamed vegetables. We were stuffed, but our trio made space to share a tempting chocolate muffin drizzled in a rich fudge sauce.

The cocktail menu was as sultry as the green velvet chairs we sat on, and we settled on the inventive Amaretto Sour Twist (the twist was a red wine layer), Fusion Thai Basil (gin-based) and an elegant double shot of Tanqueray splashed with sparkling water.

The Vacation

While the mains were nothing unusual to the Jamaican palate, our starters did take us on a quick jaunt into the wider world.

The wings were the standout with a truly satisfying crunch under the Nairobi sauce. The Kenyan element seemed to be a hint of tang and spice above what lovers of barbi-fry are accustomed to. They will experience this one as just a bus ride, albeit in a fancy cabin, across the border.

There weren’t any unfamiliar flavours in the barbecue sauce dressing the pork belly. Instead, the Korean element was lightly charring the fork tender, half-inch slices of meat adding a pleasing contrast under the sweetness of the sauce. This was our trio’s second favourite, and the style of preparation took us on a quick ferry to a not-so-distant flavour experience.

Our final boarding pass was to the chicken ramen which on looks alone seemed to be the transatlantic flight we were looking for. The presentation was all Japan, especially with the true-to-tradition soy-marinated boiled egg. However, this belied the flavour of the broth and texture of the noodles, which ultimately were more of a Jamaican take with what is easy to hand at home.

The Ride

We enjoyed the ample servings of meat in every dish, yes, including the shrimp, and the cocktails were not to be missed. The staff really made the experience with warm, attentive and knowledgeable service. Genuinely, we have to big them up! The softly back-lit bar, very low lighting and worldly EDM music led us to forget we were in the heart of New Kingston. This is a place for ladies in their soft girl era, getting those Instagrammable luxe cocktail shots, and catching a touch of the unfamiliar in a menu bold enough to list well beyond the standard lounge bar fare.

Fusion Multicultural Cuisine

Address: 10 Dominica Drive, Kingston

Instagram: @fusioncuisinejm

Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Friday to Sunday: 4:30 pm to 12:00 am

Telephone/WhatsApp: (876) 464-0636

The Fusion Multicultural Cuisine experience begins at the concierge desk.

The interior décor of Fusion Multicultural Cuisine

Fusion Multicultural Cuisine’s seating area

Nairobi wings with side of fries

Chicken ramen

Lamb chops with steamed vegetables

The experience was a total spend of $37,697.

Dessert: Chocolate muffin in fudge sauce

(From left) Coconut curry snapper, shrimp mac and cheese and lamb chops with steamed vegetables

Glazed Korean pork belly

Amaretto Sour Twist (left) and Fusion Thai Basil cocktails

Shrimp mac & cheese (Photos courtesy of Vanessa Lalasingh and Adolph Raynor)