A Winter Island Getaway


Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

The winter doldrums are in full swing. Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, and Nancy and I are nipping at each other due to a bad case of “Cabin Fever.” Before we bite each other’s heads off, we decided to try a little island getaway at the Bahama Breeze Island Grill in Schaumburg.

Rejoice weary travelers, I-90 is open and you can now exit at Roselle Road. This is until next year when they will probably tear it up and start all over again. Having the Roselle exit makes getting to the island “easy breezy.”

You can’t miss the restaurant; it looks like a piece of the Bahamas suddenly appeared in suburbia. The white hurricane shutters on the outside are just a taste of what is to follow on the inside.

The Calypso music hits you as you walk in and notice the Caribbean flare in the décor with palm trees and brightly colored ceiling fans. The restaurant is huge with a large wrap-around bar, two dining areas, an enclosed gazebo with a functioning fire pit, and a small bar.

We started our Bahamian adventure with one of their many small plates, namely, the Conch Fritters (5) for $5.99. You are probably wondering what a conch is. It is the little critter that lives inside beautiful big seashells. These are the shells island natives sometimes use as a horn, or vacationers use to listen to the sound of the ocean. They were delicious and the sweet and spicy dipping sauce that came with it made the dish.

My Island Queen decided to try the Jumbo Stuffed Crab Shells (3) for $19.99. Like the menu states, this is the Caribbean’s homage to crab cakes. It consisted of jumbo lump crabmeat, sweet peppers, and scallions stuffed into three crab back shells. It was served with yellow rice, green beans, and a light citrus cream sauce. Nancy asked to have garlic mashed potatoes in lieu of the yellow rice. You know Nancy, she had to get garlic in there somewhere…She said her entree was absolutely seafood-licious. I tasted it, and I agree. But in her opinion, she thought it was a “lite” dinner. Next time she’ll include their side salad for a $2.99 up charge.

My Island Guy set his sight on the special menu and picked the Tamarind Orange Chicken ($16.79). This was six pieces of fried chicken with a sweet and tangy tamarind and orange glaze served with “Rita’s family recipe” Johnny Cakes. He loved his dinner, but said it was sticky and messy and would advise only eating it in front of very good friends or your spouse. Trust me, he was a sight to behold.

FYI: Tamarind is a Caribbean peapod that tastes like fruit. A Johnny Cake is a slightly sweet, fried corn meal delicacy about the size of a pierogi.

No Caribbean adventure would be complete without making a stop in Key West, so we had to try the Key Lime Pie ($6.49) for dessert. This pie was a little different from the norm; it had tufts of meringue on top that was golden and crunchy. This combined with their delicious graham cracker crust made it truly memorable.

Relax, remember you’re on island time. Sit back, chill out, and enjoy one of their many exotic island cocktails; they’re wonderful. At Bahama Breeze, you are paying for the quality and flavors of their food, not the quantity. Don’t expect to take home a doggie bag. Nancy and I have made this island journey several times over the years, and have never been disappointed.

The ticket to this island getaway was $55.17.

Jim’s take: The bright bold flavors were a welcome change from a dull gray winter. I’m still sticky from the chicken…

Nancy’s take: I may have had crab today, but I’m not “crabby” anymore. As they say, “It’s better in the Bahamas”.

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.

---