This week's top-seven list is dedicated to the most basic, but perhaps the most important, side dish to every West Indian meal: Rice and Peas. I visited some of my favorite Caribbean restaurants in the area and purchased a side order of rice and peas, looking for the one that best compliments some jerk chicken or roti.
Rice and peas are not meant to be eaten as a main dish, so a mild flavor that goes with any entree is a must. Some of the rice and peas I tried were decidedly sweet, while others had a spicy, salty flavor. I couldn't decide which I preferred.
The best rice and peas depends on the main dish that goes with it. I finally narrowed it down to my top 7 choices, listed below (by the way, they are all $2 or less!):
7. Melanie's Juice Bar, Restaurant and Bakery
1285 Fulton St.
These rice and peas are extremely mild, with a slight peppery flavor. They are a bit dry, so I recommend them with an entree that has a thick, rich sauce.
6. Jamaican Grill
321 Nostrand Ave.
These rice and peas are surprisingly sweet, with a tinge of ginger that makes them a great side to saltier dishes.
5. Bickels Jerk Express
1118 Fulton St.
These rice and peas, although slightly dry, are great for cooling down the saucy, spicy foods sold at the restaurant. They are somewhat spicy as well, but if you like spicy foods, a meal with a side of these rice and peas are sure to leave you satisfied.
4. Ali's Trinidad Roti Shop
1267 Fulton
Although still called rice and peas, this side order comes with a variety of vegetables, including carrots, peas, and corn. It reminds of Chinese vegetable fried rice, although it is probably healthier. The dish is a little oily, so it would go best with something a little drier (a potato dish, for instance).
3. Moma's Kitchen
417 Nostrand Ave.
These rice and peas are basic but delicious. They are just oily enough, and they have a mild but slightly salty flavor. They would go well with some meat or cooked vegetables.
2. American and Latin Cuisine
522 Nostrand Ave.
What I like about these rice and peas was that they were not dry, but they were not greasy either. They are salty with a little spice, a great companion to chicken or other white meats.
1. Island Taste Restaurant
1403 Fulton St.
These rice and peas have the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy, making them a good side to any entree. They add gravy at no extra cost, which I highly recommend if you are purchasing the rice and peas with nothing else. Even without the gravy, the rice and peas are not dry at all, definitely an added bonus.
