| Food | * * * 1/2 |
| Service | * * 1/2 |
| Ambience | * * * |
| Value | 5.5 |
| Cost | $ $ |
| Dish | Price |
Value | Rating | |
| Fritailles | $7.25 |
* * 1/2 | * * * | |
| Grio | 10.95 |
* * | * * * | |
| Blackened Catfish | 14.95 |
* * * | * * * * | |
| Salad (Garlic; Lime-Paprika) | * * * * | |||
| Coke | 1.35 |
|||
| Key Lime Pie | 3.95 |
* * * | * * * * | |
| Jamaican Bread Pudding | 3.95 |
* * * 1/2 | * * * 1/2 |
Celestin's is a quaint little place, with a small dingy patio with 3-4 tables outside. Inside, there are a few tables in front and then a nicely decorated area in the back. J & I got the feeling that we were in a little shanty somewhere in the Caribbean. The tables are bright and wildly decorated (ours was orange with zebra-stripe zigzags throughout). Another interesting touch are the periodically flickering lights, as if the power supply was not consistent (you could time the flickering pretty well though).
Upon entering, there was a little delay in getting our table. The waiter was turned around, a little preoccupied with one of his buddies and we were a little irked when he finally noticed us. We decided to start with the obligatory cokes and the fritailles, a grilled Caribbean sampler. Their menu is quite extensive, with a full page of about 50 ways to have gumbo, assorted fish, and poultry dishes. J was heartstruck between the Grio and the Jamaican Jerk Chicken (which she adores, but always has at the Tower Cafe). I had a hankering for anything blackened, so I went with the catfish. J chose the garlic vinaigrette on her salad, while I chose the lime-paprika (for variation). The appetizer came first and fairly rapidly. The portions were small, with two samples each of fried plantains, two dry meat items (one was grio), and what tasted like hushpuppies. In the center of the plate, was a slightly tangy onion sauce/gravy, which added some needed liquid to these appetizers. The plantains were VERY bland. However, it was nice to get a sample of the cuisine to know what to try if we come back.
The salads came fairly rapidly as well. They consisted of several pieces of unwieldy lettuce portions, cucumber slices, and shredded cabbage and carrots; totally slathered in dressing. Both dressings, however, were exquisite.
Then there was an unpleasant gap about 10-15 minutes, while we waited for our entrees - it was worth the wait, though. J's grio was similar to the appetizer - a little dry, a little fatty, but a good spiced flavor. Small portion. Mine was perfectly cooked blackened catfish - tender, no bones, melt-in-your-mouth, with a papaya/red bell pepper salsa. Both came with bland, but plump red beans and rice, and the same onion/garlic sauce from the appetizer. Mine also came with fresh avocado and tomatoes. Mmm.
We were still a little hungry, so we opted for a couple desserts - Key Lime Pie and Jamaican Bread Pudding. The description on the Key Lime Pie was a little misleading, "made in the style of Florida Key Lime Pie." Key Limes are orange, and the pie and skin shavings were green! It had an excellent consistency, though more jello-y than creamy with real whipped cream, lightly flavored with lime juice and a buttery graham cracker crust. The Bread Pudding was (surprise!) cold, but tasted great in its rum sauce. The raisins were very plump and there was no inconsistencies in the texture.
The worst part of the evening was the struggle to get the bill. First, it came, but they overcharged us for the dessert, but the waiter didn't reappear for 10-15 minutes. Then he went back to resolve things and was gone another 5 minutes. When you're ready to go, you don't want to wait around endlessly to pay the bill. However, we really liked what we got here. The food was excellent, the portions were mostly substantial, and there were many more interesting dishes to try.