Tonight Tezzy and I are headed over to La Terraza Guest House B&B for an evening of authentic Caribbean food, Reggae music, and ambiance with friends and new acquaintances. Jeanetta Owens has done it yet again and invited friends and guests to this little piece of paradise located in San Roque de Grecia for The Best of Limon in Grecia – Taste of the Caribbean. Brenda Chrisophey, the food preparer, is very well known on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica in Limon as one of the best cooks around that part of the country. She’s prepared tonight’s menu consisting of Grilled Jerk Chicken, salted fish from the waters of Panama, Jamaican Yellow Stew, Hummingbird Muffins Vegan, Toto Jamaican (coconut cake), Jamaican Breadfruit Rundown, Jamaican Callaloo, Instant Pot Vegan, Jackfruit with Potato Curry, Jamaican steam Cabbage, Vegan Jamaican Jerk Sauce, Rice and Pigeon Peas, Jamaican Sweet Potato Stew, Vegan Rasta Pasta, Jamaican Oxtails, Coconut Fish, Shrimp Curry (Indian dish), Vegan Peanut Stew and of course my Tezzy’s Filipino Lumpia. Tezzy visited La Terraza a couple of days earlier to show Cristina and Maria how to prepare the Filipino lumpia that Jeanetta requested.
Jeanetta told how she and Brenda Chrisophey first met in Limon, Costa Rica where Brenda, as a street vendor, was serving up delicious, authentic, Caribbean food. Many in Limon, Costa Rica, are descendants of Jamaica, and Limon is where you will find that distinct Caribbean vibe. Jeanetta knew that if Brenda is serving food to the locals on the streets of Limon, then it must be delicious and that’s where their friendship blossomed several years ago.
Tezzy and I were picked up from our casa (house) at about 2:30 pm by Jeanetta’s driver and friend, Gerardo, and he picked up two more nearby couples that were also invited to the celebration. Over the past eighteen years, Jeanetta has gained many friends, and La Terraza Guest House B&B is well known throughout Costa Rica and worldwide because many people from near and far have had the pleasure of staying at this beautiful and picturesque location in Grecia, Costa Rica.
After arriving, tables and chairs were set up on the front and back patios, and some early guests were already seated and enjoying lively conversations. Tezzy and I love visiting La Terraza because we always get an opportunity to meet new people from around the world, and this evening was no exception. Soon after our arrival, Devon Austin of Black Expats in Costa Rica and her husband, Lavanson, arrived with the Escazu crew. Now it’s time to get this party started!
After most of the guests had arrived, Jeanetta made her grand entrance as only Jeanetta can do with great flair. She thanked the guest for being there and nearly shed a tear because she was so happy about this celebration with good friends.
Ramiro Crawford of Limon Roots Radio supplied the background music for the evening and shared a story of the rich history of Limon and the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. We all had a great night stuffing ourselves with the most delicious food and drink. This warm Saturday night in April of 2021 will always be special for many reasons.
