HUSBAND-and-wife duo Paul and Michelle Thompson are proud of their creation, La Veranda Restaurant and Bar, in Plantation in Florida, which gives Jamaicans an opportunity to enjoy their culture away from home.

Paul and Michelle are from rural Jamaica and they say the values and principles of hard work that were imparted while they were growing up are a big part of why their young business is successful today.

Paul is from Banana Ground, Manchester, and attended Knox College. Michelle was born in Clarendon and attended Vere Technical High School in that parish.

The duo has been involved in various fields, but three years ago, that they decided to bring the idea of La Veranda to life and it is paying off.

“We are a country boy and girl who know good food and that is what we offer to the public in a clean environment. If only you could see what is going on around us right this minute, you would be amazed. It amazes me most of the time when I open the door and walk inside and see the people,” Michelle told the Jamaica Observer.

Paul and Michelle Thompson, the husband and wife duo that owns La Veranda Restaurant and Bar in Plantation, Florida.

She said that La Veranda, which is located at 8320 West Sunrise Boulevard in Plantation, is the place to enjoy a truly Jamaican vibe.

“People come here and run into others they haven’t seen in 45 and 50 years. La Vernada is the place to come whenever you need that authentic Jamaican feel. You can grab a beer, a fish and festival, or rum. It is the spot to be, Wednesdays through to Sundays. The weekend is when it mostly happens.

“Thursday we have karaoke and Fridays we have a live band on stage. Saturdays are more like date night. You can sit with your girl and hear yourself talk to her. On Sundays, we have what we call Soul Music Sundays. That is when you have the three-step dancing, four-step and every kind of step in between. That is when everybody dresses up and comes out to have a good time,” said Michelle.

“We just started doing brunch recently and we go from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. We have all the authentic Jamaican food — mackerel rundown, blue draws, porridge, and fried dumpling. Come on over, it is the place to be,” Michelle said.

In the meantime, Paul said people are always talking about the spot because of how special the services offered are. He emphasised that he took pride in knowing that his 15 employees are all from the Caribbean.

He encourage Jamaicans visiting the the Fort Lauderdale area to ensure they check out La Veranda Restaurant and Bar, which he described as the Ribbiz of Fort Lauderdale, as it is usually referred to by patrons.

La Veranda Restaurant and Bar in Plantation, Florida.

“This is the realest spot for Jamaicans to come and experience camaraderie. Everybody is talking about this spot and like the spot because of what we do here. We offer a very welcoming environment. The minute you walk in it is a comfort zone. It is not hectic place, it is very calming. We offer food quality that is really high and in addition to that we have the entertainment.

“We have a live band every Friday and some Saturdays also. Lee Kelly is our resident singer and the band is our own resident band. It is called the All Stars. Lee Kelly actually worked for me 35 years ago. He was the lead singer in another band that I am affiliated with. He is carrying the crowd and he is doing a good job,” Paul said, explaining that La Veranda caters mostly to mature patrons, something he says he does not apologise for,” said Paul.

“We want big people to have a place where they can feel comfortable and express themselves. There is a lady who can’t be younger than 75 years old. When the song Bike Back [by Johnny P] started playing, she was down on the ground. This environment allows her the comfort to do things like that because she is surrounded by her peers acting silly, enjoying and celebrating life. This is what we provide to the community. People come to us and say thanks to us because they had nowhere to go that has this type of Jamaican energy,” Paul added.

He told the Observer that his spot is the meeting place for many Jamaican high school alumni associations based in Florida, to have their meetings and events.

“This is the place where the school [alumni] come and gather before their big balls and big showcase events and so on. We are also quite philanthropic. We have supported organisations by providing food. We have sponsored food for the island SPACE Caribbean Museum. We have sponsored food for the recent International Reggae and World Music Awards. We have basically given of ourselves in terms of becoming a community establishment. We are definitely embedded in the community. Jamaican Women of Florida and Jamaican Men of Florida and many other organisations support us and that is what has led to the success of La Veranda,” Paul said.