The region's latest Caribbean restaurant, Yah Mon, opened Oct. 1 in South Tampa.
Though the restaurant at 301 W. Platt St. has an unassuming exterior, patrons will find a modernly decked-out space inside. White linens, flat-screen TVs and white leather booths and bar stools are among the features.
Co-owned by the husband-and-wife team of Andre and Janise Thompson, Yah Mon's cuisine is served in square white china bowls. Andre greets diners at the door, as Janise heads the kitchen as chef, cooking up casual dishes like stir-fry cabbage, banana fritters, brown stew chicken and curried tofu.
The hours of operation, posted on the front door, say the restaurant is closed every other weekend. According to Janise, the couple does this to allow for "family time." Folks may also rent out the building for events when Yah Mon isn't open.
The restaurant operates 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 3 to 11 p.m. on first and third Saturdays; and noon to 7 p.m. on first and third Sundays.
This article appears in Oct 1-7, 2015.