Taste the flavours of Mariscos Kitchen
Published:Thursday | September 14, 2023 | 12:07 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
Metacha Ellis recognised her true love for flavour while working at a restaurant. That experience ignited her own gastronomic dream brought to life in her home kitchen. From there, her passion for food only grew, so too did her popularity, and she decided to expand her tasty operations — Mariscos Kitchen — to a new home on Melmac Avenue, off Old Hope Road.
“I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and my passion for food is what drove me to open this establishment. We opened March 2020 as a kitchen, cooking from my home. Our patrons loved the food we provided and that propelled us to expand into opening this beautiful restaurant you see here,” she told Food in a recent interview.
The word ‘mariscos’ means ‘seafood’ in Spanish. At this local food establishment, where the menu is designed around that meaning, the delicious dishes are elevated by island seasoning and spices.
“Our tagline is ‘Where sea meets taste’. And our ingredients and flavours separate us from everyone else. Some of our signature dishes include sweet and spicy crayfish, sweet and spicy crab, steamed fish, coconut curried fish and fried lobster,” Ellis said. Other featured dishes range from shrimp pasta to curried conch and brown stewed fish. The restaurant isn’t limited to only seafood; sweet and spicy chicken and fried chicken are also on the menu.
Ellis was not kidding when she spoke highly of the sweet and spicy crab offering. That taste combination is out of this world, inviting you to indulge even further after one bite. If you are a fan of pepper with a pleasant balance, then this is definitely a dish for you.
Being a new business does present its fair share of challenges. The issues for Mariscos Kitchen range from product availability and product quality to marketing and putting the name out there.
“We have a standard to uphold and maintain. So we try to hand-pick our ingredients to ensure we prepare the best meals possible, and sometimes this can be a challenge based on availability or season. We have to educate everyone about our presence and find ways to intrigue them to try our restaurant,” the food entrepreneur shared.
The new location is the ultimate hidden gem. Nestled in the business area above Cross Roads, the top floor restaurant and lounge transitions from indoor to outdoor, boasting a quaint and casually chic roof deck with enchanting views overlooking the city.
This aesthetic makes for an amazing chill spot. “We want to be a staple in the community providing amazing food, with a great ambiance. Expect the best customer service paired with amazing food, positive and fun vibes,” Ellis added.
With dine-in, takeout and delivery currently available, her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in the food industry is to ensure that you are in love with it. “It is a difficult industry and it requires a lot of time, hard work and dedication. At the end of the day, the satisfaction comes from the joy you provide the people you serve.”