The wife and I have been here twice so far (both visits in the last week). Between the two of us we've had the Oxtail, Fried Chicken, J*** Chicken, and Curry Goat. The first impression is that the food looks and smells amazing. The dishes are all fantastically delicious and I can't wait until Curry Oxtail comes up on the menu (seriously, the curry is outstanding.) The staff are incredibly friendly, and the portions are super generous.Very happy that the selection changes daily - makes it super easy to try new things (and the daily selection is typically posted on facebook in the mornings.)
frank H.
Honestly they are so sweet in there, and they give a lot of food for 8-10$. I am extremely pleased with all of it! I have been there twice in a week and will be back again lol. I like the family atmosphere and the customer service, there is this nice little girl that greets you and tells you about the food which is adorable, it's fun to see the food change everyday so I can try something new( their Facebook page updates everyday), and I love that there is a point system and discounts for essential workers. I really enjoy this little hidden gem! Keep it up!
Herbert Jenkins
Awesome food and service!I highly recommend this restaurant to the people who loves delicious Jamaican cuisine.
Tammie Lundy
Me and my daughter was there this pass weekend since I heard good things about your business. Well when we got home we wasn't happy we both had the oxtail meal the rice was old the gravy had a burnt taste and the plantains was rubbery. I was told to try again but right now not sure.
Clark Otis
Delicious food in generous portions, friendly and accommodating staff, and a cutely-decorated front area to wait for your order. I've never walked away from Michelle's disappointed, and you won't either. A changing selection of mains and sides means that each visit will give you the opportunity to try something new alongside your own favorites. I haven't had a chance to try anything from the bakery yet, but I look forward to it and I'm sure the treats will match up to the quality of the rest of the food!
Nevaeh
Foods ok! The plaintains are tough and the porridge was like a doughy-jello. The taste was there but the texture was off. They don't have a menu and don't know what they're serving for yhe next day. I suppose it depends on what the cook feels like cooking for the day or whats left over. Hhmmm! Good customer service though.
Vicki Cattanach Lincoln
Yumm. Curry goat, chili wings were very good. Good menu lots of options
Lixmarie W.
This is a new Jamaican restaurant in the East Hartford area and I was so excited to this place. I really enjoy a place in Vernon, so when I saw that this place was right in town I wanted to try it. I ordered oxtails with rice and peas with cabbage and a side of sweet plantains. The oxtails had good flavor. I know sometimes you can get some fattier pieces but I felt like their meat was mostly fatty. The rice and peas had that nice coconut flavor I enjoy but the rice needed to be a little bit more tender. This meal cost me a little over $16 which I feel is over priced. I can't say this place is great or bad. I'm neutral because I do believe they have more than one cook and this could of been a bad day. They don't offer typical Jamaican baked goods like coco bread and patties if that's what you're looking for. Some items that they cooked wasn't even on a burner to keep warm but wrapped in foil. This could cause food borne illness.
Ambria Alexander
Bakery is on point!!!!! I ordered some type of coconut macaroon type of sweet. A 6 piece it was delicious. I also got a rice and peas with brown stew chicken. It too was very very good! A plus !!! The side was plantains. Loved it. I do love that they play good music too. The energy in the restaurant is so warm.
Gwendolyn Gentle-forbes
Ordered the chicken soup and I must say it did not disappoint! Flavorful and satisfying! Excellent customer service as well.
This place is the latest addition (a month or so) to an old mall here in East Hartford. It is a combination of takeout Jamaican food and a bakery. There is no social media presence and can be hard to find online. The menu is not even available. There is nothing printed either. In fact, the menu is the name tag above the item for sale. For prices and sizes, you will just have to ask. I am doing takeout and having a homemade drink just like I did during the roughest part of the lockdown. For my drink, I am making a JAMAICAN DAUQUIRI. It consists of 2 OZ APPLETON ESTATE SIGNATURE (40% ABV), 0.75 OZ of FRESH LIME JUICE, 0.50 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP (OR DEMERARA (a non-centrifugal cane sugar is the technical name given to traditional raw sugar obtained by evaporating water from sugarcane) and garnish with a lime twist (well, not today). Add all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lime twist. This is a very good drink. Appleton Estate Signature is a fruit forward expression with aromas and flavour notes of dried apricot, fresh peach and a subtle hint of sweet molasses. It does finish serenely, as it started. TERROIR, the Appleton Estate, deep in the middle of Jamaica's Nassau Valley, began perfecting their complex rum-making over 271 years ago in 1749! Surrounded by densely forested limestone hills, the region's topography makes for a rum unlike any other. As for ageing, spirits age quicker in tropical climates than cooler ones. This means that the flavour of our rums develops at a quicker pace. The company does adhere to strict minimum ageing guidelines which means that the age statement on a bottle refers to the youngest drop of rum in that blend. One other thing, it is crafted with Jamaican limestone-filtered water and has NO added flavors. I think Campari owns the brand too. I am using Roses's Sweetened Lime Juice (since I have no fresh lime juice), but's it is low calorie and dies the job. For my Simple Syrup (water, sugar and lactic acid). I use Stirrings (est. in 1997 in Nantucket, Massachusetts; I think Sazerac owns it). For my meal, I am having the goat curry with (a lot of...) rice and beans, fried green plantains and steamed cabbage. This is A huge portion, but costs around $18 after tax and tip. To kick it up a notch, I'm adding some Sontaya Mango Habanero. Green plantains can have a hard texture. Food is real food. I almost forgot to take a picture! The goat meat is surprisingly (mostly) boneless. Now, the dessert is a piece of pineapple cake . It is enormous and costs around $9. The business is owned by two partners, one of which owns the right side (restaurant) and the other owns the right side (bakery). The frosting is very light and the pineapple sauce tastes real good. A few seconds on the microwave will soften up the frosting. Overall, it is very good!
Donna Hightower Farmer
I visited Michelle’s kitchen for the first time today. The oxtails were tender and delicious, the curry chicken was also flavorful. I definitely recommend this restaurant.
Ivelisse Santana
The food is delicious and full of flavor! This has been my 4th visit and I have been satisfied every time.
omar crosby
I visited Michelle's kitchen in the evening of the grand opening on August 1, 2020. I wish I took a picture of the food I bought to share with you all. The j*** chicken was REALLY GOOD. The mac salad in addition was a nice side that I haven't come across yet in the greater Hartford area. I'm really particular on where I buy my food. With that said, good customer service is key. Way in the evening I was impressed that the staff's customer service was so enthusiastic and welcoming as if I was the first customer. I can imagine the grand opening can be a long day for all involved. I also, picked up a small cake, it was delicious. I don't live in East Hartford and others restaurants are closer but after my experience, you would go back again and I will. Michelle and staff, well done ladies!!
wolfkierra
Went on a day where they serve only breakfast and brunch and i must say.... the ackee and saltfish was delicious!!! Now i don’t have to travel all the way to Hartford to get good quality Jamaican food :) presentation was also great! The shop looks & feel homey. They also have a Bakery too! Yes, it was worth it
The wife and I have been here twice so far (both visits in the last week). Between the two of us we've had the Oxtail, Fried Chicken, J*** Chicken, and Curry Goat. The first impression is that the food looks and smells amazing. The dishes are all fantastically delicious and I can't wait until Curry Oxtail comes up on the menu (seriously, the curry is outstanding.) The staff are incredibly friendly, and the portions are super generous.Very happy that the selection changes daily - makes it super easy to try new things (and the daily selection is typically posted on facebook in the mornings.)
Honestly they are so sweet in there, and they give a lot of food for 8-10$. I am extremely pleased with all of it! I have been there twice in a week and will be back again lol. I like the family atmosphere and the customer service, there is this nice little girl that greets you and tells you about the food which is adorable, it's fun to see the food change everyday so I can try something new( their Facebook page updates everyday), and I love that there is a point system and discounts for essential workers. I really enjoy this little hidden gem! Keep it up!
Awesome food and service!I highly recommend this restaurant to the people who loves delicious Jamaican cuisine.
Me and my daughter was there this pass weekend since I heard good things about your business. Well when we got home we wasn't happy we both had the oxtail meal the rice was old the gravy had a burnt taste and the plantains was rubbery. I was told to try again but right now not sure.
Delicious food in generous portions, friendly and accommodating staff, and a cutely-decorated front area to wait for your order. I've never walked away from Michelle's disappointed, and you won't either. A changing selection of mains and sides means that each visit will give you the opportunity to try something new alongside your own favorites. I haven't had a chance to try anything from the bakery yet, but I look forward to it and I'm sure the treats will match up to the quality of the rest of the food!
Foods ok! The plaintains are tough and the porridge was like a doughy-jello. The taste was there but the texture was off. They don't have a menu and don't know what they're serving for yhe next day. I suppose it depends on what the cook feels like cooking for the day or whats left over. Hhmmm! Good customer service though.
Yumm. Curry goat, chili wings were very good. Good menu lots of options
This is a new Jamaican restaurant in the East Hartford area and I was so excited to this place. I really enjoy a place in Vernon, so when I saw that this place was right in town I wanted to try it. I ordered oxtails with rice and peas with cabbage and a side of sweet plantains. The oxtails had good flavor. I know sometimes you can get some fattier pieces but I felt like their meat was mostly fatty. The rice and peas had that nice coconut flavor I enjoy but the rice needed to be a little bit more tender. This meal cost me a little over $16 which I feel is over priced. I can't say this place is great or bad. I'm neutral because I do believe they have more than one cook and this could of been a bad day. They don't offer typical Jamaican baked goods like coco bread and patties if that's what you're looking for. Some items that they cooked wasn't even on a burner to keep warm but wrapped in foil. This could cause food borne illness.
Bakery is on point!!!!! I ordered some type of coconut macaroon type of sweet. A 6 piece it was delicious. I also got a rice and peas with brown stew chicken. It too was very very good! A plus !!! The side was plantains. Loved it. I do love that they play good music too. The energy in the restaurant is so warm.
Ordered the chicken soup and I must say it did not disappoint! Flavorful and satisfying! Excellent customer service as well.
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is the latest addition (a month or so) to an old mall here in East Hartford. It is a combination of takeout Jamaican food and a bakery. There is no social media presence and can be hard to find online. The menu is not even available. There is nothing printed either. In fact, the menu is the name tag above the item for sale. For prices and sizes, you will just have to ask. I am doing takeout and having a homemade drink just like I did during the roughest part of the lockdown. For my drink, I am making a JAMAICAN DAUQUIRI. It consists of 2 OZ APPLETON ESTATE SIGNATURE (40% ABV), 0.75 OZ of FRESH LIME JUICE, 0.50 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP (OR DEMERARA (a non-centrifugal cane sugar is the technical name given to traditional raw sugar obtained by evaporating water from sugarcane) and garnish with a lime twist (well, not today). Add all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lime twist. This is a very good drink. Appleton Estate Signature is a fruit forward expression with aromas and flavour notes of dried apricot, fresh peach and a subtle hint of sweet molasses. It does finish serenely, as it started. TERROIR, the Appleton Estate, deep in the middle of Jamaica's Nassau Valley, began perfecting their complex rum-making over 271 years ago in 1749! Surrounded by densely forested limestone hills, the region's topography makes for a rum unlike any other. As for ageing, spirits age quicker in tropical climates than cooler ones. This means that the flavour of our rums develops at a quicker pace. The company does adhere to strict minimum ageing guidelines which means that the age statement on a bottle refers to the youngest drop of rum in that blend. One other thing, it is crafted with Jamaican limestone-filtered water and has NO added flavors. I think Campari owns the brand too. I am using Roses's Sweetened Lime Juice (since I have no fresh lime juice), but's it is low calorie and dies the job. For my Simple Syrup (water, sugar and lactic acid). I use Stirrings (est. in 1997 in Nantucket, Massachusetts; I think Sazerac owns it). For my meal, I am having the goat curry with (a lot of...) rice and beans, fried green plantains and steamed cabbage. This is A huge portion, but costs around $18 after tax and tip. To kick it up a notch, I'm adding some Sontaya Mango Habanero. Green plantains can have a hard texture. Food is real food. I almost forgot to take a picture! The goat meat is surprisingly (mostly) boneless. Now, the dessert is a piece of pineapple cake . It is enormous and costs around $9. The business is owned by two partners, one of which owns the right side (restaurant) and the other owns the right side (bakery). The frosting is very light and the pineapple sauce tastes real good. A few seconds on the microwave will soften up the frosting. Overall, it is very good!
I visited Michelle’s kitchen for the first time today. The oxtails were tender and delicious, the curry chicken was also flavorful. I definitely recommend this restaurant.
The food is delicious and full of flavor! This has been my 4th visit and I have been satisfied every time.
I visited Michelle's kitchen in the evening of the grand opening on August 1, 2020. I wish I took a picture of the food I bought to share with you all. The j*** chicken was REALLY GOOD. The mac salad in addition was a nice side that I haven't come across yet in the greater Hartford area. I'm really particular on where I buy my food. With that said, good customer service is key. Way in the evening I was impressed that the staff's customer service was so enthusiastic and welcoming as if I was the first customer. I can imagine the grand opening can be a long day for all involved. I also, picked up a small cake, it was delicious. I don't live in East Hartford and others restaurants are closer but after my experience, you would go back again and I will. Michelle and staff, well done ladies!!
Went on a day where they serve only breakfast and brunch and i must say.... the ackee and saltfish was delicious!!! Now i don’t have to travel all the way to Hartford to get good quality Jamaican food :) presentation was also great! The shop looks & feel homey. They also have a Bakery too! Yes, it was worth it