1. For Starters Off TheGrid
KGN.KitchenAnniversaryHolidayEdition2013
By Claudette Powell
Nowthat the hustle andbustle of the festive season ishere, it’snothingbuta lotof runningupand
down.If you’re like me,atthe top of your holidaywishlististofindagood spotto justbreeze out. You
shouldpassthrough Off the Grid at the Cottage.The ownerIngridChristie’ssmall operation offersa
unique type of barexperiencethatmimicsthe comfortsof home.Ingridhasfounda wayto create a
space that seamlessly blendsthe bestqualitiesof acountry bar,an uptownbar and a home bar.
I likedwhatIsaw and more importantly Ireallylikehow thisnon-traditionalconceptmade me feel
while there. Christie makesnobonesaboutit,she likestodrink andshe wantedestablish aplace that
was goodfor drinking,socializingandgenerallyhavingagoodtime inwarm and invitingplace like home.
It’sso faithful tothe concept of a casual feel,the baritself doesn’tevenhave asign, youjustpull upto
the white gate at 9 DevonRoad and youare officially ‘off the grid’. The cottage style property hasa
beautiful lawn withtablessetoutforpatrons whoenjoya freshopenairoutdoorspace.While you’ll
findotherpatrons, like me, whochoose the informal comfortsof the verandah,easilyspendingafew
hourssittingand loungingaround onsoftcomfortable cushionson topof rustic benches thatwere
creatively craftedfromsimplecrates. Othercustomerssitonottomans thatsurround quaint
handcrafted tablesmade outof window panes.Stayingtrue tothe easygoingloungehouse vibe there
are no advertisementsonthe bar walls,onlyacharmingdisplayof the liquorbrands Christie’scustomers
prefertodrink.
Like a sportscoach Christie handpickedherstaff. She scoutedforcoworkers whoshe felthad areal
passionforwhattheydid.As soonas yousip ona cocktail frommainbartenderRandyThomas,you
immediatelyknow thisismore thanjusta jobto him.This youngmixologist gainshisinspiration fromhis

2. customers, creatingcocktailsthatsuittheirmoodor the occasion.In the off hoursbefore the doors
open,Thomasusesthe time todevelop and/orperfectnew recipes,like Off the Grids’holiday drink
special the AfricanQueen- adeliciousblendof warmcoffee, rum,bananaliquor,amorettoandtriple sec
all topped withwhippedcreamandcinnamon. It’salusciousandcreamy drinkthat evokes feelingsof a
cool cozy holidaynight
The Off the Grid kitchenisthe domainof culinaryrock star Chef BrianClifford.The bar’smenuproves
simplicitycanbe thrillingand soulfullysatisfying. He breathes acompletelynew lease of life into
traditionbarfoodofferings like bbqporkearsto the Countrystyled porkrib-a thickpiece of seasoned
pork thatwas slowlycookedinaskillet until tenderserved coveredincarrotand potatoeswitha
spinachleaf drapedacrossthe top, all bastedina thicklusciousgravy.It’sa wonderful andunexpected
displayof refinement.
Chef Brian’slove of cookingstartedat13 yearsold and by18 he wasoffered anofficial cookingjobin
NewYork.He eventually movedtoMiami toattendthe Frenchculinary institution,Le CordonBleu. After
graduatingat the top of his class,Chef Brian hitthe road travellingandcookingin citieslikeAtlanta,Los
AngelesandNewYork Citylearningfrom differentmentorsalongthe way.Bythe time Chef Brian
movedbackhome to Jamaicahe waslookingfora place where he could settle downand dohis own
distinctive cookingstyle. In anoff chance meetingat Marketplace, ChristieandChef Briansolidifieda
partnership thatgave himhisperfectculinary platform.
It’sclear that Chef Brianlikestochallenge hisguest’sexpectations,surprisethemandarouse their
senses.Elevatingstandardfavorites likemacaroni andcheese bybakingitwithtenderstripsof chicken
breast, bitsof bacon and bambooshoots, toppedby delightful cheesycrust. The beef sliders are juicy
plumplittle hamburgers stuffedwithcheese andtoppedwithmushrooms andsautéedonions.Both
dishesgive youmore thana tasty meal;itslayersof flavorandtexture. Youwill find adelicate balance
and complexityof flavors inthe Ackee pizza,aswell asthe pumpkinbisque. Onthisyear’sholidaymenu
the special is a Thanksgivingstyle stuffed porkskinthatissure to be a hit.
Off the Grid’srelaxedcomfortand across the board chill makesiteasierfornewcomersandregulars to
mix and mingle. Bottomlinealotof placessell liquorandfoodbutI say trulymemorable spotscreate a
unique atmospherethroughitscharmand staff.Off the Gridreminds me of “Cheers”- a place where
everybodyknowsyouname andthey’re alwaysgladyoucame.