Sun, sand, and palm trees swaying outside a Caribbean beachside bar and grill.
Welcome to… Petrie Island.
The East Ottawa beach is going Caribbean, and licenced, when Bananas Beach Grill and Rum Shack opens for business.
Petrie Island is already Caribbean for at least one day out of the year thanks to the Carivibe Beach Festival. Bananas, the company, got its start serving food and drink there. “About five years ago we started doing food, Caribbean food, at the Carivibe Beach Festival, says Bananas co-owner Trevor Mason. “ And it really took off the first year. Our line-ups were down the beach, people waiting for authentic Caribbean cuisine."
Two years ago Bananas expanded to a storefront take-out and catering business in Orleans. Then they were offered the chance to take over the canteen at Petrie Island. “We just jumped at the opportunity. It made sense to us. Carivibe and Bananas go hand in hand,” says Mason.
Similar to other City beaches, Bananas will have a licenced patio. It seats about a hundred people. Alcohol will not be permitted on the beach.
They even created their own specialty drink specifically for the location. It’s yellow with a crème de banane base. They call it The Petrie Islander.
Bananas Beach Grill and Rum Shack will specialize in authentic Caribbean fare, from jerk chicken to roti to Jamaican patties. They even serve a jerk chicken poutine.
Bananas hopes to be up and running in time for this year’s Carivibe Festival this Saturday at Petrie Island.
