Kabawa

Kabawa’s menu is a 3-course, $145 prix fixe experience, where guests will choose from multiple options for each course—starter, main, and dessert— designed to showcase “the depth and diversity of Caribbean cuisine.” Their ingredients are thoughtfully sourced, from New York neighborhoods, as well as specialty items procured directly from the Caribbean. Food editor Ruby and I went to try this recently opened spot in NYC this past week and WOW we were blown away! Let me tell you what we got.

On the house!

The first thing you get when waiting for your meal is this amazing roti on the house with mango chutney, curries, and dips. This introduces your palette to Caribbean flavors and spices, preparing you for the rest of your meal.

Pepper Shrimp

Starting off strong with one of the most well-known starters on the menu, which is their "pepper shrimp”! It was super fresh and flavorful, having that nice Caribbean kick to it as well.

Breadfruit Tostón

The breadfruit toston consisted of perfectly cooked octopus with “dog sauce” and capers. I don’t even know how to explain what “dog sauce” is, but it usually consists of garlic, Scotch bonnet peppers, and lime zest, which really elevated the dish. That nice spice from the pepper, with the freshness from the octopus, was extremely well balanced on the flaky pastry.

Chuletas Can Can (for 2)

Now time for the mains! This pork was crispy, tender, and really just perfect. It comes with a side of rice and sweet potato charred with pineapple, and wow, this really had us in a chokehold. Possibly one of the best meals of the year so far or definitely will be on the top of our lists.

The Goat

We got an extra order for a main, which is +$55, because we heard many good things about the goat dish at Kabawa. This goat had spice, it had flavor, and it had the knife cutting through with no effort. Slow-cooked and tender, the perfect bite if you love braised meat. This, with the rice, was a perfect bite.

Time for dessert! We all know I do not have the biggest sweet tooth while Ruby loves everything sweet so we are always curious to see which desserts we love vs are unmemorable.

coconut turnover for 2

Guys… This coconut turnover was amazing. It was soft, warm, and honestly tasted like their version of the perfect Cinnabon. That cinnamon sugar with the coconut cream… Im literally salivating thinking about this dessert again. When you guys go try Kabawa, I would say this is the MUST ORDER of the night, no matter how full you may be. The turnover is a bit dense, so be prepared to roll out of the restaurant on a seriously full stomach!