Harvest Afro Caribbean — Restaurant in England

If you’re Caribbean, don’t expect the food to be authentic.

Where to begin!

Firstly, we were offered complementary chin chin. The bottom of the plate was dirty (there was like a greasy substance of sorts). It was already a red flag, but we noticed a little too late.

We ordered the following: Jerk Chicken Wings Brown Stew Fish Brown Stew Chicken

The chicken wings were jerked, but they were TOUGH as if frozen. The brown stew fish came topped with heaps of peppers, the fish came with all the bones (unheard of for brown stew fish), the rice was long grain (also unheard of for rice and peas), plantain were chewy and hard, the sauce/stew was watery, but the worst thing of all, the entire dish tasted like liquid smoke 🤢 The brown stew chicken also came topped with heaps of peppers, the chicken came with all the bones (unheard of for brown stew chicken - it was also TOUGH as if frozen), the rice was long grain (also unheard of for rice and peas), plantain were chewy and hard, the sauce/stew was watery, but the worst thing of all, the entire dish also tasted like liquid smoke 🤢

Absolutely disgusting.

The waitress noticed we hadn’t touched our food and that we were disappointed. We expressed how we didn’t like the food. She proceeded to tell the chef.

Upon paying for the meal, (which by the way, we paid close to £20 for each brown stew dish!?), the chef came out to ask us what was wrong with the food. We expressed that it wasn’t like any authentic Caribbean food we’ve ever tasted and we also shared about the food tasting mostly of smoke. The chef said that they cook the rice on wood. 😂 what?! On wood?! How do you even cook rice on wood.. but anyway…Then the chef proceeded in saying ‘well, this is how we do it here’… 😂 what?! So why ask for feedback if you’re just going to act like that and completely disregard our feedback.

And yes, we paid the full price for the meal despite not eating much of it and being dissatisfied. But whatever, we move on.

Save your money, trust me...

Pros: The food is great. It really is. Full of flavour and it definitely tastes authentic. A very nice change from the usual high street chains that are around. You definitely feel the family kitchen vibes in the food.

Cons (feedback for the owners): The prices are on the expensive side (in my opinion) especially if you’re in there for a quick lunch. £8 for 4 small (I mean skinny and tiny) chicken wings. Most main dishes are £20 and above and they’re not particularly big.

The interior makes you feel you’re in a fast food place like Roosters Piri Piri / KFC so the prices feels very out of place to the setting and makes them feel surprisingly expensive (if that makes sense).

Certainly when you compare it to Giggling Squid which is just next door (very good Thai food) where the prices are considerably cheaper but the interior and atmosphere makes you feel like it’s more of a place where you’d expect to pay £20-30 per head.

It’s not a romantic place, it’s too expensive to take a family or large party. It feels like a fast food place but it’s not priced as one. So hard to figure out who it’s aimed at or who would go there.

I appreciate the costs of running a restaurant must be extremely hard nowadays and perhaps this is just what it costs to stay in business in Windsor as an independent.

We went for lunch and we were the only ones there, the rest of the restaurants (worth eating in) around were a lot busier. This is on the back of it being on prime time BBC (Tom Kerridges) TV show - so quite a surprise. I would definitely suggest introducing a lunch menu that is a bit more competitive with £12-15 per head range. Might attract the office and family crowd.

Also stick a photo and some mention of Tom Kerridge in the window/menu to let people know it’s a famous place.

Expect to spend £25-35 per head min.

Worth trying as there’s nothing else like it in the area but just be prepared...

Review Title: A Caribbean Delight in the Heart of Windsor

Review Text:

Tucked away in the lovely city of Windsor lies this paradise-like Caribbean restaurant, offering an authentic island culinary experience without leaving town. The menu starts with an enticing symphony of tropical flavors that take your palate on a vacation. We tried their acclaimed Jerk Chicken & Rice and the Jerk Chicken Wrap, both of which were nothing short of extraordinary.

The Jerk Chicken & Rice was truly a flavor nirvana, with juicy, marinated chicken perfectly combined with hearty, aromatic rice. The interplay of spices, punctuated by their tailored sauces, provided an unparalleled flavor journey.

The Jerk Chicken Wrap, on the other hand, was another revelation - deliciously spiced, grilled chicken nestled in a soft, fresh wrap. Every mouthful was an explosion of well-balanced tastes that made it a genuine culinary delight.

One cannot write about this wonderful place without mentioning Felix, the manager. His outstanding courtesy and dedication to top-notch customer service created a truly warm and welcoming dining environment. Felix doesn't just manage this delightful eatery but ensures every guest feels valuable and contented.

In conclusion, if you desire a Caribbean culinary voyage right here in Windsor, this is your must-visit spot. Come eager and leave with a satisfied palate and a wide smile. The delightful menu is more than a meal, it's a sensory journey you won't regret or forget. Highly recommended!

Star...