
3

"I was glad to see the city's dearth of Caribbean restaurants eased by the opening of a new spot from Oakland chef Nigel Jones and Daniel Patterson, which replaces Patterson’s Alta CA and offers a flavorful menu built around Jamaican spices and other delicacies from warmer climates. Jones, a native of Jamaica, has carried over signature dishes from his Kingston 11 — including jerk chicken, oxtail stew, and salt fish fritters — while adding new options like black pepper crab and piri piri chicken. Desserts nod to Alta with soft-serve given a Caribbean twist (notably a chocolate habanero soft-serve with pomegranate molasses and lime), and punch bowls developed with Alta Group beverage manager Aaron Paul (the Rude Boi bowl serves four or can be a single and features white rum, cucumber, soursop, and midori). Kaya is open for dinner Tue–Sat 5–10 p.m., late night Thu–Sat 10 p.m.–1 a.m., has happy hour Tue–Fri 4:30–6:30 p.m., and brunch Sat–Sun with reservations available." - Ellen Fort