Peace & relaxation
Published:Thursday | May 16, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Krysta Anderson, Gleaner Writer
Rustic decor, calming ambience and quality customer service, help create the spectacular dining experience at Composure Restaurant and Bar.
Naila Gibson, part of the three-member managment team, told Food that the restaurant was a blessing in disguise.
"Originally, we got the lot to start a car wash, and wanted to provide food for clients. NEPA (National Environment and Planning Agency) put a stop order on things for us to meet certain requirements. After fulfilling those, we began seeing a dim light at the end of the tunnel."
But that light went out when the environmental group revealed that it did not want a car wash at the foot of the hill. Gibson's team already had the food plan in the proposal, so they were told that they could do a restaurant instead.
"We could not bear to go through anymore procedures, so we decided to run with the restaurant and the journey has been such a great adventure," she said.
The restaurant officially opened two Fridays ago, showing off its inside and outside dining areas and bar. So far, it has been getting rave reviews. "We have been hearing good things; people love the food and love the feel of the place," Gibson notes. Chantal Sergeant, another managing director, admits, "Our aim is that whoever comes here should leave feeling overjoyed and composed."
It seems everything is in place to achieve exactly that. "We pride ourselves in providing quality customer service and we are happy to say that our staff is very polite and pleasant," Gibson boasted.
"The selection of staff was a tedious task," she explained.
When the final crop was chosen, they received additional training - the HEART-trained bartender, who formerly worked at Beaches Resorts. "The chef was the hardest to source. He came through the recommendation of 'a friend of a friend' and his first task was cooking for the construction workers working on the restaurant. It was up to them to grade his culinary skills and determine whether he should get the job. Needless to say, they were impressed."
The name of the restaurant, Gibson said, came to her one day at work when she got very upset. She kept saying to herself, "Naila, hold your composure". The name portrays just what the restaurant stands for - peace and relaxation.
Menu
The easy-going nature of the restaurant in reflected in its menu. Starters include: Comfort Fish Delight, Cruz Control, Fly Away, Easy like Sunday Morning, and Equanimity. If this doesn't leave you composed, then one of the main dishes of: Light-hearted Chicken, Seafood Sway, Green Pastures Steak, Island Mist Steamed Fish, Modena Shrimp Pasta, and vegetarian dishes such as Ital Easy, Garden of Calmness served with either rice and peas, steamed vegetables, baked potato, bammy or festival, should do the trick.
Drinks are not exempt from the theme of the restaurant. From Tranquility to Saints, to the signature drink - Composure, the aim is to deliver harmony in every sip.
They also offer takeout service.
In the future, the team hopes to provide live entertainment, and an art night for upcoming artistes.
Opening hours are from 12 p.m.-10 p.m., while the bar is opened until 1am.
Composure is located at 1A Jacks Hill Road