Kingston 11--Oakland (Caribbean cuisine)

It's always nice to have some spice in your life. Kingston 11, located at 2270 Telegraph Avenue, has the right mix of flavors in their dishes, with a lively atmosphere for those who want good music, good food and a welcoming, friendly place to hang out.

Not only does Kingston 11 have incredible food, but they're also founded by community-conscious individuals who use high-quality, environmentally-friendly, local and organic ingredients in their dishes. Plus, with an emphasis on flavors inspired by Jamaican home cooking, how can you go wrong?

Here are some of the things I've enjoyed.

www.kingston11eats.com


Sorrel. A housemade traditional beverage brewed with hibiscus, ginger and spices. Fruity and refreshing.

Salt Fish Fritters. Served with an organic dairy- and nut-free chimichurri sauce, these were fishy in all the right ways.

Curry Vegetables. A flavorful curry sauce gently bathed a plate of fresh broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and potato. This was served with brown rice, beans and plantains. The vegetables were not cooked until disintegrated and were cut into nice, hearty sizes. There was no missing of the meat with fabulous flavor like this.

Oxtail Stew. Rich, tender and succulent oxtail were braised for hours in a thick, hearty sauce. The meat just fell apart with the slightest prodding from the spoon.

Curry Goat. Only served Thursday-Saturday, this goat was rich, tasty, moist and gave its all to this dish. I would definitely come back for this one.

Kingston 11 is also open for lunch Tuesdays through Fridays, and brunch on Sundays. With entrees for carnivores, herbivores and vegans alike, there's something here for everyone.