Bammy's Modern Caribbean
Caribbean restaurant · Near Southeast ·
Caribbean eatery with jerk chicken, curry goat, and island cocktails
Caribbean eatery with jerk chicken, curry goat, and island cocktails
"Making a surprise return this spring under new ownership, Bammy’s Modern Caribbean (reopening Friday, April 19) revives the waterfront spot at 301 Water Street SE with chef Peter Prime — who took over the lease after the original co‑founders parted ways — and local restaurateur Bernard Gibson. Customers will still find Prime’s famous jerk wings, beef and goat curry, roti, snapper escovitch, and rum‑heavy painkiller cocktails, while Prime plans to expand the menu using modern American techniques like grilling and smoking rooted in his Trinidad and Tobago background. Expect whole oxtails roasted after an overnight smoke; more jerk meats such as brisket and pork belly; expanded curries including chicken and duck; debut dishes like steak frites, grilled pork chops, and grilled oysters cooked outside; and handhelds such as aloo pies and cornmeal pastelles. He’ll also finally feature bammys — a ground cassava cake soaked in coconut milk, fried, and smothered with smoked oxtail — plus brunch offerings (brisket hash, fry bake sandwiches, grilled pork belly and pancakes) and Caribbean‑flavored mimosas. The airy, waterfront dining area will be enlarged with more outdoor bar use, patio grilling (pending city permission), steel bands, and a slight interior refresh with new banquet seating, wall sconces, and more room at the central bar." - Tierney Plumb
"I read that Bammy's was likewise mentioned among the neighborhood openings that didn't pan out." - Tierney Plumb
"The semifinalist list for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic includes representatives from Eater 38 spots L’Ardente, Albi, Bammy’s, Bresca, Oyamel, and Moon Rabbit." - Tierney Plumb
"From Wednesdays to Fridays this winter, Navy Yard’s Caribbean standby Bammy’s flips into a burger bar at night (4 p.m. to 10 p.m.), running weekly trivia (starting January 25) with prizes like rum-punch bottles and gift cards; the casual takeover will feature fried chicken from Bammy’s chef Peter Prime and partner with other vendors for dessert." - Tierney Plumb
"Bammy’s served a memorable shrimp-and-grits riff that I enjoyed." - Adele Chapin