Chef Rob's Caribbean Cafe

08/22/08

Good Ending to a Busy Friday

by SugarCaneinAlabama at Citysearch

My sister and I dined at Chef Rob's this evening after seeing a movie. We were good and hungry and already knew what we wanted to order. She and I had previously done our own research on Chef Rob's place and were impressed with the menu and decor we saw on the cafe's web site. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and seated promptly. The cafe only had a couple of empty tables remaining after we were seated. The decor was warm and inviting. Two flat screen televisions were turned to sports channels, and reggae music played in the background. I liked the art on the walls. My sister ordered the Chef's Sampler and I ordered the J*rk Chicken and Shrimp Fettucine Pasta, and Coco Bread. We received the bread first. It was warm, delicious, and served with butter. I tore up that Coco Bread, and before I finished it, our meals were served. The presentation on lovely square plates was great. My pasta dish was fabulous--loaded with great flavor and plentiful chunks of chicken and four plump shrimp. My sister and I shared our dishes, and her j*rk eggrolls and j*rk chicken wings were out of this world. The portions were generous. She and I took a cruise to the Bahamas last October and had some conch fritters prepared by the locals. The conch fritters at Chef Rob's were distinctly different in apperance and texture, but still good. The dipping sauces that came with my sister's sampler were marvelous. We each ordered the white chocolate bread pudding to go. We haven't eaten it yet, so I can't rate it. When we finished and walked to my car, Chef Rob was outside and thanked us for dining there. He asked how we liked the food and service, and we told him that the entire experience was lovely--from the atmosphere to the food to the service. We told him how we found out about his place and were encouraged by the several great reviews. I'll definitely return with more family members and friends and get the word out about this wonderful cafe. Good on you, Chef Rob!

• Pros: Short wait for food
• Cons: None

08/20/08

Best Caribbean In Town

by Chris456 at Citysearch

Recently dined here and I have to say the food was just out right DELICIOUS! I've been to several so called Caribbean restaurants here and they can't even compare on the same level as Chef Rob's. While dining Chef Rob himself came to several of the tables and introduced himself and wanted to know how the service was going. He's not just some cook he graduated from The Culinary Institute of America in New Hyde Park NY for those with any Culinary history knows that isn't just some learn how to be a Chef in 6 weeks school. My overall experience was awesome and would recommend this place over and over again. I read several of the other reviews before posting mine and have to say some people you just can please because they are miserable and not happy with themselves. The food is to die for go for the oxtails and top it off with the bread pudding I promise you won't go wrong.

• Pros: Ambience

06/30/08

Take the trip - It's worth it!

by Vybrant at Citysearch

GREAT atmosphere, awesome customer service and the food "mek yu lick yu finga". I am a Jamaican who can throw down (can cook) and loves to cook . I can truly say, this is one the BEST Jamaican restaurant in ATL. My favorite dish is the curry goat and secondly the oxtails - I bring along the possie from work at least once a week and no one ever complains - they love, love, love it! Just sitting there (by the way, the decor is to die for) having your meal, watching the flat screen TVs and listening to the Jamaican music in the background makes you feel as if you are actually in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. After a long morning at work - this is the place to come and unwind for lunch! Chef Rob, I am proud of your accomplishment - Nuh watch nuttin! May your cup continuously runneth over with customers to increase your revenue each and every year.

Blessings, Vybrant

06/04/08

Chef Rob. . . You're FIRED!!!

by june30th2007 at Citysearch

I read reviews on city search, urban spoon, and of course my trusted yelp and I was so excited that I drove 30 min. from Forsyth County just to get some of these oxtails some of my fellow food critics had spoken so highly of. I can't believe how disappointed I was. First of all, my to-go bill was $43.53, which included 2 oxtail plates, a side of plantain, and strawberry lemonade. When I opened my bag at home I opened up a plate of food swimming in orange grease! The oxtails were not seasoned like they were made by a Jamaican at all. My family cooks real Jamaican food and you can taste the Jamaican flavors (scotch bonnet peppers, thyme); this was a nasty Worcestershire sauce and sour vinegar mix at best. Not to mention it was all fat and bones and hardly any meat could be found. AND Braised my foot! Those oxtails have been sitting in a bucket since this morning. My rice and peas were swimming in the orange grease as well so I didn?t even get to eat much of it, but it didn?t really have that hint of coconut milk flavor I was looking for. At least the side of steamed cabbage was decent. Oh and how do you screw up fried plantain?!? You would think they would have the timing down so I wouldn?t be eating half cooked plantains. And maybe let the oil drain once they are taken out of the fryer, Come on guys! Oh and the strawberry lemonade isn?t fresh so don?t be fooled, when I stuck my straw in the bottom of my cup I drew back syrupy cans strawberries. . . can we say YUCK! If you value Jamaican food and know what good Jam food tastes like then you'll listen and save your money. I am so PO'ed, I just had to drop my fork and tell you poor food critics what I thought about you beloved JaFAKIN restaurant!!! If it weren't so darn far from my house I'd take it back and use that greasy orange oil from my food to write my disgust on the store front windows!!! Lucky I have Bible Study tomorrow! And Chef Ron, if you see me in the streets I want my $43.53 back!

• Pros: side order of steamed cabbage was ok,
• Cons: PRICE, NOT REALLY JAMAICAN FOOD, FOOD, FOOD!

03/04/08

One of the Best Restaurant's in Atlanta.

by 012903 at Citysearch

Great Caribbean atmosphere...at the door customer service. Excellent food as we as a great balance between restaurant and sports bar. My friends and I dine at Chef Rob's while watching the ball game or pay per view boxing.

01/20/08

Overpriced Food

by ATLlove at Citysearch

I have been there so many times, although the food is Ok. The princing is ridiculous. There are a few more Cariebean Resturaunts in the area (Buckhead) that charge considerably less. $18 for a spoon full of food. They should be ashamed of there selves. I have told a few people I know not to go there anymore and to go to another Cariebean Place with SAME great food Less $$. I think we should protest the pricing of this restuaunrt.

• Pros: food is OK, service is OK
• Cons: Price, food is only average for the price you pay

01/19/08

poor service,even the owner didn't speak/greet, over priced, food avg.

by civilcritic at Citysearch

food average, not as flavorful as jamaican food can be; service full of attitude, seen owner/chef twice and he hasn't greeted anyone-his establishment you would think he would at least say welcome or hello/good day; prompt food service; decor very nice; very over-priced; i won't go back (i have given them second and third chances)

• Pros: decor
• Cons: food,service,price

01/18/08

The Best

by SharonWhite at Citysearch

I was recommended to Chef Rob's so I decided to give this place a try. What a great choice. I was impressed from the moment that I walked in. The smell of the food was terrific and the the decor was nice and welcoming. As I arrived my husband and I were greeted by a very upbeat young lady who had the most beautiful smile. After we were sat down the same young lady came over and introduced herself as our server and bartender. She was extremely professional and warm which, along with the smell and the decor, gave me the feeling of going a resort in the Caribbean islands. So my husband and I went with her recommendation of the tilapia stir fry. It was mouth watering. We also tried the flavored mojitos. They were great! The place is great. OK, to make a long story short, what really hooked us was the fact that we were at the restaurant for one hour and forty five minutes and our bartender/waitress never stopped smiling once. I thought it was just a smile to greet us at the door but, she was pleasant with everyone and everything that she did even cleaning up a spill and working with a busy lunch rush. When we left out of the restaurant our spirits were 100 times better. Not to mention the food seems like an aphrodisiac.

• Pros: Staff's happy and upbeat, food is the best, nice and cozy ambience
• Cons: None

01/12/08

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT !!!!!!!

by milly2008 at Citysearch

WOW,

I have to say this is the best Caribbean restaurant in Georgia. I have lived in Georgia for almost 15 years and I have been to about every single restaurant. I dine at least three times per week. I started eating at Chef Rob's about a month ago and I have been back 5 times. Every time that I come I am greeted with a beautiful smile and introduction by the bartender or servers. When ever the bartender seats me she pulls out my seat and treats me as if I were royalty. The last time that I was there she let me taste some of the Carrot juice that she was making from scratch, it was wonderful!

I get the feeling as if I am dinning in a five star restaurant with a down home very loving environment. The food is absolutely the best. I have had the ox-tails, Cuban lime chicken, tilapia stir fry, and the j-rk wings. The food has been so great every visit that I end up cleaning my plate. Don't forget the deserts, OH the bread pudding is delicious.

Usually, when you go to a Caribbean restaurant that has good food you get allot of attitude and the place is never really upscale or too clean.

This restaurant is upscale, clean and loving. They have went out of there way to make me happy every time I have been there. I will recommend this restaurant to my parents, my loved ones and everyone that I know.

Keep up the good work and I will remain a frequent customer.

• Pros: Outstanding service and food. Lots of parking. Great neighborhood.
• Cons: To many tasty things on the menu to make a choice

12/17/07

An unfortunate circumstance...

by funmi at Citysearch

I've dined there several times and hosted 2 fairly large dinner parties there as well. The food has always been excellent and the ambiance is warm and inviting. This 2nd (and last dinner party) was like no other.

The service was once again very pleasant and attentive. We were seated at our reservation time table ready and waiting. I had a total group of about 16 girls and our orders were taken for drinks and food in a quick but warm manner. The food did take a bit to come out and 1 order was incorrect, but was presented rather quickly after the error was discovered.

Drink refills were prompt and frequent, water brought quickly after being offered by our waitress. The food was delayed, but that was quickly forgotten once we starting eating. Our night was almost perfect. Save 1 MAJOR issue. The 'management' wanted 1 payment for the entire table. One payment as in 1 credit card or all cash. I guess I should preface by saying one of the first questions asked and answered by our hostess was "Though we cannot split checks by individual, would we be allowed to pay individually towards the total tab? As in different cards being charged different amounts to the total bill" Our waitress answered yes. This question was asked before everyone was even seated. So imagine our shock and irritation when 16 girls are told to pay with 1 card or all cash.

After about 40 minutes of going back and forth with the manager, even after our waitress admitted that she told us that was ok they finally came to a 'resolution' albeit, it was not any better than the first suggestion. Our new option was to pay with a maximum of 4 credit cards and the remaining in cash. The tally still came out wrong and in the end after the 5-10 minute flash of P0RN on the large screen tv behind us and the payment debacle Chef Rob's Caribbean Cafe will NOT be seeing my business or that of any of the other 15 girls.

Word of mouth is good business only if the words coming out are of praise. Take note.

• Pros: Food and wait staff
• Cons: Management and policy.