Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards judge for the parish of Westmoreland, attorney-at-law Michael Erskine, takes us to the westernmost tip of the island…

Situated on the westernmost tip of the island across the road from the lighthouse in Negril, Westmoreland, is the Lighthouse Inn II Restaurant and Bar. A small, cosy unique restaurant set in a garden of rich Negril flora interspersed with coconut, mango and ackee trees.

Owned and operated by Inge and Penny Hill, German and Jamaican nationals, respectively, this restaurant has been in operation for 25 years.

Apart from the natural, rustic laid-back setting of the restaurant, a hit with nature lovers, it is this German-Jamaican connection which makes it really unique. The cuisine, strongly German-influenced, is a creative fusion of Jamaican herbs and spices along with fresh Jamaican fruits and vegetables.

When you dine at this restaurant you know you are in Jamaica, especially with the lovely reggae music playing in the background, but you also have the “feel” of a little outdoor restaurant somewhere in Europe, or more precisely, Germany, as many of the patrons are Germans with strong German accents.

The food is simply fantastic — the taste, out of this world.

For fish lovers, I recommend the steamed snapper stuffed with ackee and callaloo served with pumpkin, mashed potatoes, rice and peas (US$19.00).

For the lobster and shrimp lovers, there is lobster lasagne (US$28.00) and the shrimp linguine (US$22.00).

The more adventurous would enjoy the octopus salad (US$12.00), barracuda brown-stewed or steamed (US$18.00), or conch linguine(US$18.00).

But as we say in Jamaica, everything on the menu is “just nice, man”.

On certain occasions the restaurant also offers a special buffet package meal, which is really good value for money.

Lighthouse Inn II Restaurant is the perfect place to celebrate that special milestone: anniversaries, birthdays, or just to take the family out for a special treat. I wholeheartedly recommend that you visit it.

Indeed, it’s one of my favourite eating spots.

For me, the only disappointment is that it is closed during the summer months when Inge and Penny make their annual trip to Germany.

LIGHTHOUSE INN II RESTAURANT & BAR

PO Box 3108

Negril

Tel# 957-4052