If you’ve been hankering for haute, Caribbean-inspired fare, King Street West’s newest eatery is guaranteed to appeal. With upscale offerings parading the flavours, colours and traditions of the Caribbean, Miss Likklemore’s is the city's latest spot to visit if you want to get away from it all.
Opening today, at 433 King Street West, Miss Likklemore’s is a concept many will recognize for its jerk chicken, saltfish fritters, macaroni pie and more, served at its pop-up on Queen Street West. Created by Darren Hinds (of The Good Son) and Lonie Murdock, the original Miss Likklemore’s featured a menu of traditional, family-inspired dishes reinvented for a modern audience.
Now, in partnership with Scale Hospitality, the new Miss Likklemore’s offers diners a unique taste of the varied cuisine of the Caribbean refashioned for the King-Street-West set. “Our mission,” says Hanif Harji, CEO and founder of Scale Hospitality, “was to honour and shine a bright light on the beauty of the Caribbean food and culture that we love and admire through fine fare, eclectic music, and an inviting room with relaxed but thoughtful service.”
Developed by head chef and partner Lonie Murdock, along with Scale corporate executive chef Ted Corrado and corporate chef Zack Albertson, Miss Likklemore’s menu entices with a range of shareable appetizers, family-style plates, and sides, with plenty of options for different types of diet. Vegetarians will find nirvana in tempura okra and doubles made with masala chickpeas and tamarind glaze. Alongside, carnivores will happily dig into Likkle patties, with braised oxtail and spicy beef, fried rock shrimp with Caribbean pepper aioli, and salt cod fritters with charred pineapple.
Larger plates include crab XO, grilled tofu curry, and Miss Edna’s whole smoked jerk chicken. “I’m so excited to be able to take our families’ recipes and showcase them through our interpretation of thoughtful Caribbean cuisine,” says Murdock. “This is exemplified by dishes such as Miss Edna’s jerk chicken and Darren’s mother’s carrot cake. …We’re not trying to be traditional, but we’re always mindful of tradition as we pay homage to the glorious flavours of our roots.”
Rum — the Caribbean spirit of choice — will be properly celebrated, through Miss Likklemore’s impressive stock of more than 100 premium varietals. Sourced from Barbados to Belize, and beyond, the restaurant’s rum selection will intrigue every level of tippler, from novice to connoisseur.
Equally appealing is a list of cocktails clearly created with tropical flavours, and fun, in mind. A mix of Grey Goose Vodka, Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, watermelon and lime juices, the Sweet Ting is as cool and easy to love as warm evenings on the islands. Named for the restaurant, Likklemores’ Punch blends Bacardi Spiced Rum, citrus juice, agave nectar and angostura bitters into a summery sipper you’ll want to order by the pitcher.
“I’ve always believed that an upscale interpretation of these favourite foods that I grew up on would benefit Toronto’s culinary landscape,” says Darren Hinds, about the newest venture. Miss Likklemore’s will be open daily for dinner from 5pm until late. The team is also launching brunch later this fall. To make a reservation visit Miss Likklemore’s website.
