Jerk It Smoke It offers Jamaican, Caribbean menu

During his 20 years as a chef in various New York City restaurants, Richard Cohen always dreamed of opening his own Jamaican restaurant. He cooked in a variety of styles, from Scandinavian fare to pastries, while working on opening his own place. In December, his dream was realized when he opened Jerk It Smoke It in Yellow Springs. Reggae-tinged rock plays in its dining room off of Yellow Springs Road, and the restaurant’s menu offers diners what Cohen calls an authentic Caribbean-American culinary experience. The menu ranges from brown stew fish, jerk chicken and pork, curried goat, braised oxtail and escovitch fish. He’s toned down the spices a bit, to appeal to American palates, Cohen admitted, but he also serves sauces that can turn up the heat.

— Ryan Marshall

JERK IT SMOKE IT

2060 Yellow Springs Road, Suite 104, Frederick 240-831-4157, 240-439-4523 jerkitsmokeit@gmail.com

Twitter: @JerkItSmokeIt

Instagram: @jerkitsmokeit

Facebook: facebook. com/jerkitsmokeit

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday

Prices: Entrees range $11 to $29

Owner in particular, stands out

Cohen’s time in Jamaica, where he lived until he is the staple,” he said. The fresh chicken is cleaned and brined, then seasoned with herbs and spices, including garlic, thyme, pimiento, scallions, rosemary and jerk seasoning. It marinates for at least 24 hours and then is smoked for two hours or more. “There’s so much time and attention that goes into it,” he said.

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