Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Dining with Curvy - A date you will love

Published:Thursday | February 11, 2021 | 5:48 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
ABOVE: Whether pan-seared or herb-crusted, the salmon comes highly recommend by Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett and her staff.
ABOVE: Whether pan-seared or herb-crusted, the salmon comes highly recommend by Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett and her staff.
Fish and bammy bites are good starters for those planning to grab something quick yet tasty.
Fish and bammy bites are good starters for those planning to grab something quick yet tasty.
These wings are sure to fly off the platter.
These wings are sure to fly off the platter.
Media personality-turned-recording artiste, now restaurateur, Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, will open her Dining With Curvy — The Restaurant this Sunday, Valentine's Day.
Media personality-turned-recording artiste, now restaurateur, Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, will open her Dining With Curvy — The Restaurant this Sunday, Valentine's Day.
Fancy some lobster and shrimp thermidor? Well, Dining With Curvy — The Restaurant has something special on their menu for seafood lovers this Valentine's Day.
Fancy some lobster and shrimp thermidor? Well, Dining With Curvy — The Restaurant has something special on their menu for seafood lovers this Valentine's Day.
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Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett has taken on the task of courting food lovers as she makes her restaurateur début this Valentine’s Day with the grand opening of her Dining With Curvy – The Restaurant.

“For me, it’s about love,” Barrett said of her entrepreneurial venture and the plan to host an official launch on February 14. “I do love cooking and catering to people. Nothing compares to the feeling of seeing people happy with my creations, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect day for me to express that and have the restaurant opening centred on love and passion because I am doing it from the heart.”

The media vixen-turned-recording artiste lit her culinary fires last year, beginning with a pop-up kitchen and delivery service, but saw an opportunity to expand to a full-blown restaurant in December, following the overwhelmingly positive reviews she received. Now, with renovations completed on the 35 Dunrobin Avenue location, Barrett is ready to create an experience similar to a ‘Midnight in Paris’, she said, with a menu featuring starters like creamy citrus calamari salad and oxtail spring rolls and elegant entrées, including the special herb-crusted salmon and her ‘Curvy’s Surf & Turf’ surprise.

The menu items are special to Barrett. She remembers cooking salmon for her late mother. “That is something she loved and it brings back memories of having dinner my mom. I would have something extra special for her with roses and all that,” she shared.

THE WAY TO SOMEONE’S HEART

The Eleganza entertainer said, “The way to a man’s heart is definitely through his stomach, but a woman’s heart … that’s different; it may be through her pocket.” Almost unable to contain her laughter, she continued, “so buy her dinner, and if anything sets Dining With Curvy apart from other establishments, it’s how good the food is”.

Reservations have been pouring in for Valentine’s Day, she said, with the majority of customers being men interested to wine and dine their special someone; however, the new restaurateur says women can opt for a package for their significant others.

“If you are a woman who is making money and he always wines and dines you, why not. I am okay with spending on someone who spends on me,” she said. “Anyone who goes on a date with me would be treated to a fun time; I am entertaining, and it’s just an overall positive energy for everything. I still have exes I am cool with that will ask to come for Sunday dinner. Well, now they can come to the restaurant.”

Persons interested in partaking at the launch of Dining With Curvy – The Restaurant on Valentine’s Day must make paid reservations at First In Line Jamaica. Based on COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, there will be limited seating on location; however, the options for kerbside pick-up and delivery are also available on the day.

As for the future, Barrett plans are to launch a classy restaurant franchise with locations in tourist hotspots in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, as well as New York and Florida.

“My philosophy is if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It is important to have structure, whether in my business or personal life. My mother always told me, in everything you do, give it 100 per cent, and that’s what I am doing. The restaurant is a whole team of qualified and creative staff, and I can’t wait to have customers come in and enjoy what we have planned for them – it’s a menu and experience for all to love,” she said.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com