In Providenciales, there’s a new answer to this old question. Situated in the heart of Downtown, Rosie’s Delight Restaurant is an authentic local eatery with a difference. Rosie’s caters not only to Provo’s various palates, but also to its various dining styles—and all under one roof.
Manager Karel Rodney, former manager of Iguana Seafood & Steak House, explained that location inspired Butterfield Gold, Ltd. to open Rosie’s Delight Restaurant. “Most of Provo’s restaurants cater to tourists five miles away in Grace Bay, but 80 percent of the island’s business occurs in Downtown, so everybody has to come here. You’ll find government offices, banks, the post office, library, hardware store, sports complex, and Island Pride Supermarket here. And the international airport is less than a mile away,” Yet Downtown had no fine dining alternative until six weeks ago when Rosie’s Delight Restaurant filled the void.
Rosie’s local and eclectic cuisine reflects tourists’ tastes as well as those of the mixed local population. “Bear in mind that Provo is home to Jamaicans, Americans, Italians, Latinos, and Spanish and French people,” Mr. Rodney said. “We try to cater to a percentage of their cuisines on our menu ”
Besides extensive breakfast choices, lunch offerings include soup; salads; beef, chicken, and grouper burgers; pizza; sandwiches; and dinners. You’ll also find Jamaican grilled jerk shrimp; fried dumplings with codfish, ackee and salt fish; traditional grits; souse and Johnny cake; Philly cheese steak, ribeye, blackened New York sirloin; Italian lasagnas, penne pasta, seafood linguini; and Chinese spring rolls. There’s something for everyone at Rosie’s, and it’s all good, thanks to Executive Chef Brian Dunkley.
Mr. Dunkley hails from Jamaica where he trained in the culinary arts before working as assistant chef at Sandals Jamaica and then transferring to Sandals’ Beaches resort here in Provo. Eleven years ago he joined Butterfield Gold, Ltd. who tapped him to set up the kitchen and menu for Rosie’s.
Rosie’s layout allows the restaurant to cater to any dining desires. On the left is the future deli take-out with its small eat-in area, which will be perfect for a quick bite or for creating that beach or boating picnic. Rosie’s also offers deli delivery service so small groups or more can go on working without sacrificing time to go out to eat. The deli also boasts an ice cream counter, a huge assortment of candy bars and snacks lining the back wall, and decorated cakes for any occasion..
For those with limited time but who would still like to sit down and eat, Rosie’s central section offers fast food service with television in the seating area. Seating is comfortably set apart from the counter, so the prevailing vibe is relaxed.
Diners pass through double French doors to the separate dining room painted a happy Caribbean gold. Spacious booths line the far wall and tables for four line the opposite wall. Mrs. Rosita Butterfield, the restaurant’s namesake, selected the décor. Unusual nautical paintings from her personal collection adorn the walls. For those who prefer to be served in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, the dining room is the place. Each time I visited Rosie’s, both the fast food and dining rooms were packed.
Rosie’s dishes are delicious. Besides being tastefully prepared and attractively presented, the food is super fresh because their supplier is Island Pride Supermarket, the island’s longest running supermarket and a Butterfield Gold, Ltd. company. “With the advantage of a supermarket within the operation,” Mr. Rodney explained, “we focus on fresh produce and fresh meat. We put in our food orders daily so food doesn’t sit for a week. The fresh containers come directly to our kitchen and to your plate.” He added that their seafood is also fresh since Mr. Saunders’ fishing boat goes out daily and returns with whatever the catch may be, including conch, snapper or grouper.
The service at Rosie’s is as outstanding as the food. Whether you opt for fast food or fine dining, the staff aims to accommodate. Tracia will greet you with a smile, ensure that your order is served promptly, and that your coffee is fresh and filled to the top if you don’t take cream. Bismania is the ideal waitress with that special combination of being efficient yet totally relaxed.
Since Rosie’s only recently opened, I inquired about future plans. “Right now, Assistant Manager Sharon Scott and I are working to get the Deli up and running,” Mr. Rodney said. “We plan to offer deli-style subs, sandwiches and wraps. We’re also planning on having nationality days like Jamaican Day, Latino Day, Spanish Day, and Guyanese Day, featuring specials from those countries’ cuisines.” Through a promotion with Lime, a Provo telecommunications company, locals will receive text messages notifying them about Rosie’s nationality day specials. Mr. Rodney added that Rosie’s will take advantage of it’s spacious outside area to hold Friday and holiday cookouts featuring fresh grilled fish, conch and lobster.
I applauded the fun ideas and Mr. Rodney’s enthusiasm. “This is my passion,” he said. “When something is your passion, it never gets boring. You’re never comfortable at one stage but always want to take it to another level.”
Sampling the new levels that Rosie’s team dreams up is going to be a pleasure—even at the risk of its creating Downtown mealtime gridlock!
Rosie’s Delight Restaurant
Town Center Mall, Downtown, Providenciales
Breakfast $4 - $14; Lunch $6 - $18; Dinner $8 - $29
Open Mon – Sat 7 AM–10 PM; in season (Nov–Apr) Sun–Sat 7 AM–10 PM
Telephone 649 941 3582 Fax: 649 941 5066
