New Jamaican Restaurant Serves Up a Taste of the Caribbean
Photographer: Ron Wise
First-time visitors to Da Blue Lagoon, 11705 Pendleton Pike, in the Oaklandon Plaza, are so impressed with the restaurant’s scrumptious Jamaican cuisine, they plan their return trip immediately.
“The (community) response to the food has been great,” says Graham Levy, owner of Da Blue Lagoon, which opened August 2017. “It is especially nice to hear feedback from folks that have not tried Jamaican food before. It’s like having some of the Caribbean beach paradise in Indianapolis.”
Levy noted that the restaurant’s name comes from Portland Jamaica and the home of a beautiful body of water known as The Blue Lagoon.
“Customers already have their favorites,” Levy says. “They enjoy the Oxtail Stew (bite-sized cuts of ox beef tails), Jerk Chicken and the Curry Goat. Jerk Chicken is one of the many iconic dishes of the area, and is very well known in the Caribbean.”
Levy has been pleased with the way Lawrence and McCordsville area residents have embraced the restaurant.
“They are excited to have an authentic, ethnic offering adding variety to the neighborhood,” he says. “I am excited to share this part of my adopted community.”
Levy’s personal favorites are The Montego Bay Sampler and Ocho Rios Double (Oxtail/Curry Goat & Fried plantains).
“Our meals are typically served with rice and beans and a choice of one additional side (butter steamed veggies, special recipe mac & cheese, island fries, fried plantains),” Levy says.
Da Blue Lagoon also serves Fried Snapper (whole or filet), Port Royal Fried chicken, Coconut Curry Chicken and Jamaican Beef Patties.
Other favorites include The Escovitch Fish. It’s a fish (fillet or whole) island herb rubbed, then fried and smothered with a flavorful, spiced, tangy, pickled vegetable sauce with onions, carrots, scotch bonnet peppers and pimento and The Smoked Jerk Salmon.
Levy added that their Breakfast and Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. has also grown in popularity.
Entrees include Ackee & Codfish, the Jamaican national dish, sautéed with Jamaican herbs and spices and served with Johnny Cakes and a side of plantains or sliced avocados and Jerk Pork Hash.
Levy says he works closely with the staff to ensure freshness with every meal.
“We make everything from scratch, and make sure that it really tastes like an authentic Caribbean meal,” Levy says. “We have an outstanding staff that makes sure everyone has a great time.”
History of Da Blue Lagoon
Levy noted that Da Blue Lagoon has grown a lot in the last 13 years.
“We began in 2005 in Broad Ripple, while I still worked a traditional 9 to 5 job,” Levy says. “We were there until 2010. We went to the mobile (food truck) option in 2013, due to a need for flexibility for family commitment reasons. In 2015, with the support of my wife and family, I left my job and decided to give my full attention to this venture and expanded back into the brick and mortar venue.”
Levy says the decision has paid off. Many people that were faithful followers of his food truck have eagerly visited Da Blue Lagoon restaurant.
He says his guests also enjoy Da Blue Lagoon’s drink selections as much as the food menu.
“We offer a variety of beers, including Jamaican Red Stripe, Heineken, Yuengling, a Rum punch and a secret concoction we call Da Bob Marley,” Levy says. “We also offer Pepsi products, flavored lemonades and a couple of wine options.”
Jamaican sodas, homemade fruit beverages and Island Breeze cocktails are also served.
“We will have outdoor seating during the summer months and continue to operate the food truck in and around Indy with a revamped summer schedule, predominantly for shows and events such as the First Friday Food Truck Festival, Fridays on Georgia Street, and we also offer catering and private events.”
Da Blue Lagoon Jamaican Kitchen is located at 11705 Pendleton Pike. Give them a call at 317-855-3778 or visit them online at dabluelagoon.com.
