New Jamaican Restaurant Opens in Vernon

VERNON, CT — The town's vast array of cuisine was spiced up a bit on Thursday with the official opening of of Jamaican Kitchen at Vernon Circle.

The restaurant really opened three days ago, but had its official opening on Thursday with Mayor Daniel Champagne and state Rep. Timothy Ackert reading proclamations welcoming the restaurant to the community.

Jamaican Kitchen is the latest foodie brainchild of Milton Jackson, who owns a couple of Subway shops in the area. He said he has had a vacancy at 243 Hartford Turnpike in his head for a while.

"I would drive by this location every day and I kept getting Jamaican Kitchen in my head," he said.

Oh, there's a back story. Jackson has family in Montego Bay and he picks up new recipes from family members all the time. The restaurant interior features a mural of the bay.

He has teamed up with Chef Carlos Ferguson to offer traditional dishes with personal touches. Customers commented on the fresh smells immediately upon entering the place on Thursday. The early word was the fritters and meat and veggie patties were huge hits but Chef Ferguson also serves up a variety of jerk and curry dinner- and lunch-sized dishes as well.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel