AllOra’R

My husband stopped in here today for the first time to grab us some to-​go lunch. We both had the jerk chicken meals that were completely amazing for only $ 8 each. Also had a piece of sweet potato pie that was a nice finish on the meal. Definitely will stop back to try some teas.
The only issue was the length of time it took to get the meals. I used to live around the corner and know that most of their business will be from the office building across the street. Lunch breaks are short… people don’t want to spend the whole thing waiting for food. Not complaining at all… I just hope they figure out a way to speed it up so they can stay in business!!!

After literally running past this business numerous times since it opened in Febraury — I finally had a chance to check it out this afternoon.
I arrived just before they closed (2:30pm) but the friendly owner told me they were still open and ushered me inside. It’s a cute little space with a large menu board that lists a variety of sandwiches and salads as well as several West Indian meals (stewed chicken/​shrimp & grits) and side dishes (greens/​mac & cheese). It was a bit overwhelming (and I was hungry) so I asked what their specialty was.
The Obama salad ($ 7.00) was what I was told was a pretty popular dish — seasoned shrimp, broccoli and corn atop a salad with a ginger thai vinaigrette. I asked about the hot dishes but again it being the end of the day — I unfortunately missed out.
The owner and I chatted while she assembled my salad and while I was waiting I tried their Pearly White iced tea — a refreshing unsweetened tea, browsed the menu and had a gander at their refrigerator case. The sweet potato pie tempted me from beyond the window but I had restraint and opted for a large to-​go cup of the Pearly White iced tea and a pickle to go with my salad.
Once back at my desk I dug in. The shrimp was well seasoned and not greasy but the broccoli was so hot that it wilted the lettuce a bit. However the salad was chock full of other things (olives, cucumbers, onions, roasted peppers) and the dressing (which I asked for on the side paired nicely with it.
So great that there is now a restaurant in this long vacant space on Capitol Avenue — I will be back earlier next time to try some of the other dishes on the menu

I was taking a walk on my lunch break a couple of weeks back when my coworker and I walked by a small restaurant with a sign over the entryway that said «461 Capitol Ave» with a couple of tables outside. There was also a sign outside advertising an «Obama Salad» (which peaked our curiosity, of course). The people sitting at the tables told us to go in and check out what they had to offer.
We were very warmly welcomed and given samples of iced teas/​juices which were all exceptionally delicious, each moreso than the last. They informed us the menu would be changing the next day, but that they would generally have couple of hot meal options, salads, wraps, and desserts (as well as their selection of delicious drinks).
I had already eaten lunch that day, but they gave us each a sample bite of their Sweet Potato Pie (amazing!), and I ended up buying a slice of the dessert that REALLY caught my eye– Sweet Potato & Pineapple Cheesecake Compote. Anyone who knows me knows I’m a huge cheesecake and sweet potato fan (and pineapples are pretty good too!), so this combination really had me intrigued. A slice was $ 3. I dug in as soon as I got back to the office, and it was perfect. You could taste every flavor in perfect balance. Wonderful texture, satisfying portion– I’d highly recommend giving it a try!
The setup inside is a little unexpected, but actually pretty cool– it’s a homestyle oven and refrigerator behind a deli counter with the desserts on display. When I stopped back in today for my friend to get lunch, they’d added a nice table and chairs with bright red cushions inside that’s good to seat two or three (not much seating room at this point between that and the couple of tables outside, but it’s definitely a very welcoming atmosphere and I’d absolutely take advantage of sitting down there and eating next time.
Calling ahead may be recommended if you’re looking to get the hot lunch– today we went late (around 2) and they were out of most of the hot lunch options but did tell us to call ahead next time if we knew we’d be coming on the later side.
I’m looking forward to trying more than just dessert in the future. I’m glad this place opened up so close to where I work!