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Specialty’s Café & Bakery
Vanir Construction Management, Inc.
Esteban Interiors
Direct Systems Support (DSS)
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
San Diego Wine Co.
Network Services Corp. (NSC)
Rachael Paddock: The Rossiter Technique
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August 5, 2010 | Volume 4, Issue 8 | www.sdchamber.org | contact us
Whether you are craving a home-cooked meal straight from the islands or looking for ingredients for a traditional Jamaican red beans and rice dish, Laylah’s offers authentic flavors and specialty foods, all under one roof.
Located in City Heights since December 2008, Laylah’s started as a food and convenience store carrying hard to find Jamaican and Caribbean foods like walkerswood jerk seasoning, scothbonnet pepper sauce, gingerbeer syrup, and specialty drinks like Ting (grapefruit soda) and Kola Champagne (bubblegum flavored, if you have a sweet tooth). After popular demand required a seating area, owner Lilia, who named the restaurant after her daughter Laylah, opened the restaurant half of the establishment in August 2008.
Spicy and sweet flavors dominate the cuisine at Laylah’s. Saltfish, curry chicken and jerk chicken are just a few of the hearty and authentic options. On my last visit to Laylah’s, my dining companion and I tried the jerk chicken, pork, oxtail, and two patties made with chicken and beef. I loved the flavor and texture of the pork, but my favorite was the jerk chicken – incredibly tender and drenched in spice. Laylah’s makes three different types of patties, chicken, beef or vegetables (callaloo -a spinach-like vegetable), seasoned to perfection and tucked in a flaky crust. Patties are like the Jamaican version of a hot pocket, and I thought this portable comfort food was excellent.
More adventurous foodies will want to try the oxtail (a first for me!), which was fall-off-the bone tender in a secret mix of seasonings. Most of the dishes at Laylah’s come with rice and beans, cabbage and sweet soft plantains on the side, making portions generous and filling.
While the chef would give away none of his secrets, many of the ingredients needed to create an authentic Jamaican meal can be found in the store – so if you like what you try, definitely browse through. Dessert lovers need not fear – Laylah’s does dessert just as well as well as their savory foods, with a delicious, creamy cheesecake and homemade rum cake.
For a little piece of Jamaica here in San Diego, visit Laylah’s Jamaican Restaurant. Laylah’s is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 9am-8pm Monday – Saturday and 9am-6pm Sunday, and offers daily lunch specials from 10am-2pm. For a full menu, directions and more, visit www.laylahsjamaicanrestaurant.com.
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