Exploring tastes at Progressive Plaza

Food Awards judge Patricia Henry reports from Progressive Plaza.

We rolled up mid-afternoon to Progressive Plaza, situated at 22-48 Barbican Road, home of many culinary delights such as Café Dolce, Broken Plate, Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen, Candy Craze, Mimimo Bubble Tea and Pastries, Summer Palace, Chez Maria, and Sora Cuisine. Progressive has been around since 2021 and has a fine mix of restaurants and shops.

It was a last-minute decision to grab lunch with my son Euwan and friend Sonia. Fortunately, we were able, with the help of Restaurant Manager Sadie Ann Wint to secure a table at Broken Plate. Enquiries were made about Chef Damion Stewart who was not on location that day.

Broken Plate opened in 2018 at Monroe Road and relocated to this new location in early 2021.

My party of three settled and started perusing the menu which had a few new Asian dishes: a wide array of potstickers and dumplings, as well as familiar offerings like the curry goat pasta, lamb shank, goat cheese balls and barbecue ribs. I noticed, too, that the tostones were made with plantains unlike the breadfruit ones that were on the previous menu. It was good to see the use of food that is in season all year round, as sometimes breadfruit is scarce.

Cocktails

Bartender Richard Smith recommended the Sweet Escape, Cucumber Spritzer and Lychee Moscow mule. Food Awards judges Dr Claudine Lewis and Norma Williams are only too familiar with my prior encounter with the Moscow Mule! Suffice to say, I am not a big drinker and was there more for the food; the drinks, however, were refreshing.

Dumplings & More

Curry Goat Potstickers

Short Rib Soup Dumplings

Crispy Thai Curried Lobster Dumplings

Soy Roasted Eggplant Dumplings

We started with the curry goat potstickers which were tantalising: the right amount of spice and flavours and a whole lot of mutton packed in a small dumpling. We liked that it was also served with curry sauce on the side. The short rib dumplings followed. They were equally delicious which left us undecided as to which were better!

We also tried the salmon tostones filled with aioli, fresh tomatoes, feta cheese and caramelised onions. It was now time for the mains.

We ordered gnocchi Greek salad, Seafood Scampi and the Salmon Steak. Head Chef Ricardo Hepkins, Boys’ Town HEART Academy — trained did not disappoint. In the abscence of Chef Stewart the standard remains!

Broken Plate is the 2022 recipient of the Jamaica Observer Game Changers Award and it’s fair to say that they have not dropped the ball! They have remained disruptors and innovators themselves across the culinary landscape. Not only was the food good but the service was also excellent, and the price point was fair.

Mimimo

We skipped dessert at Broken Plate and took the lift down to the ground floor to try Mimimo Bakery and Bubble Tea Shop, a cool pastry spot that opened in April 2023. It was our first time in the cute space and Shadia, the friendly cashier, greeted us with a warm smile, while server Omari engaged us and fast became our dessert consultant.

Mimimo specialises in a variety of bubble teas and Chinese-style pastries, offering a unique culinary experience that stands out in the local food scene. The pastries are a particular highlight, crafted to perfection with a delicate balance of flavours that are not overly sweet but still irresistibly delicious.

The bubble teas at Mimimo are equally impressive, featuring a wide array of flavours and toppings that cater to both traditional tastes and adventurous palates. From classic milk teas to fruity blends, each drink is made with high-quality ingredients and a touch of creativity. Omari handles drink-making duties and ensures that every beverage is crafted with care and expertise.

Summer, another skilled drink-maker, brings her own flair to each creation. Beyond the delectable treats, what truly sets Mimimo apart is its commitment to outstanding customer service. We felt the energies of Summer, Shadia and Omari instantly. You could see that they are empowered by the owner (and baker), who declined our photo request, wanting us to instead focus on her staff.

Mimimo also creates custom cakes for any occasion including birthdays, weddings or any special event

Note from food influencer Craig Fleming, who first introduced me to pastries from Mimimo. “Mimimo is one of my favourite go-to Asian bakeries for delicious Boba drinks. My favourites are the Thai Tea (orange hued black tea) and Taro (purple sweet potato). Their pastries are always fresh and not overloaded with sugar. They always have something new and creative weekly such as Oreo cheesecake Mochi (a Japanese-based dessert), Basque cheesecake, crêpe cakes and moon cakes on Chinese holidays. The location is perfect for the K-Pop Instagram/ TikTok aesthetic and the staff is so hospitable.