Jazz's Island Soul Restaurant Opens In Columbia

COLUMBIA, MD — A new restaurant in Columbia offers a taste of the islands, with Caribbean flavors as well as southern comfort food.

Walking in the door transports diners to a different pace and rhythm of life, with the sounds of saxophones trilling and sizzling fajitas in the air.

Hot items on the menu are jerk chicken, red snapper, oxtails, chicken and waffles and curried goat. Jazz's also offers brunch dishes such as pancakes and eggs, available all day.

On Saturday and Sunday, the restaurant hosts live jazz bands, in accordance with its name.

Since Jazz's opened on Feb. 4, word has spread quickly.

"The response has been pretty amazing," Jazz's marketing consultant Shauna Henson said. "Business has doubled, then tripled."

In the three weeks since opening, the restaurant has already attracted regulars.

"Columbia is a melting pot, so it appeals to everyone," Henson said. "People come from other parts of the state" to Jazz's, she added, since there is not anything else like it around.

The owner sought to create a "fusion" blending the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean with comfort food of the south, Henson said, adding: "You can have your collard greens but also your rice and beans."

Executive Chef Sherri Arrington started the restaurant after recovering from a life-threatening illness, according to Henson, who did not elaborate. When Arrington was in the hospital, she decided that if she got better, she would fulfill her dream of opening her own restaurant.

Now that her dream is realized, it is continuing to grow. Arrington plans to expand the grand opening menu to share even more Caribbean and comfort food with diners.

Jazz's is also applying for a liquor license in May, Henson said. Currently, it offers several nonalcoholic "mocktails" like strawberry lemonade and peach iced tea.

In addition to the restaurant, the business contains an event space that seats up to 130 people.

Jazz's Island Soul is located at 5485 Harpers Farm Road in Columbia. It's in the Harper's Choice Village Center where Zapata's used to be. Hours are 11 a.m.–10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday. It is open from 11 a.m.–midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Photos by Elizabeth Janney.