Queens Spotlight: The Door

The Door is a renowned Jamaican restaurant in Queens, New York, celebrated for elevating authentic Caribbean cuisine to a fine-dining experience. It stands out in the Jamaica, Queens, neighborhood by offering an upscale and elegant atmosphere, distinguishing it from more casual Caribbean eateries.

Here is a detailed look at its history, what makes it unique, its culinary highlights, and its community impact.

Uniqueness and History

The Door was founded over 20 years ago by two certified public accountants (CPAs), Joan Lewis and Christopher Roberts. They set out to create more than just a restaurant; their mission was to make The Door a symbol of the best aspects of Jamaica, offering authentic Jamaican cuisine paired with world-class, excellent service.

• Upscale Caribbean Experience: Unlike many local spots, The Door offers a more sophisticated setting with a beautiful, well-lit dining room, often featuring “nice reggae melodies in the background.” This tropical chic ambiance, combined with its high standards of food presentation and service, has earned it a reputation as one of Queens’ top choices for fine dining.
• Accolades: The restaurant has been recognized as Small Business of the Year by the Small Business Association and consistently maintains high customer ratings on platforms like TripAdvisor and Yelp.

Highlight Menu Items and Customer Feedback

The Door is praised for delivering on classic Jamaican dishes, often with a commitment to using real Jamaican produce. The restaurant offers a wide variety of options and has special weekly buffets, including a seafood and chicken buffet on Thursdays and breakfast/brunch buffets on Sundays.

Popular Menu Highlights

The most talked-about dishes include:

• Jerk Chicken: Described as “suitably fiery” and a must-try, with the jerk sauce being a customer favorite.
• Oxtail: Often cited as a signature, mouth-watering dish.
• Curry Goat: A tasty and savory option frequently highlighted by patrons.
• Escovitch: Pickled snapper, traditionally served with bammy (cassava flatbread).
• Sides & Specialties: Rice and peas, macaroni and cheese, and fried sweet plantains are highly recommended side dishes. For breakfast, the banana oatmeal porridge is a popular choice.

Customer Feedback

Customer reviews consistently laud the food as “authentic,” “delicious,” and “amazing,” with many calling it the “best Jamaican food I’ve had in the whole state of NY.” Reviewers frequently mention:

• Food Quality: “The food at The Door is as authentic as it gets. Everything I’ve tried here has been well-prepared and full of flavor.”
• Service & Atmosphere: “The atmosphere was warming and inviting. The hostess was welcoming… The whole experience was absolutely amazing.” One customer specifically noted the “excellent service provided by Andre our waiter.”
• Dining Experience: It is recognized as a perfect spot for unwinding and relaxing with family and friends.

Significant Events and Community Involvement

The Door’s impact goes beyond its dining room through its active community and cultural initiatives.

• Groovin’ In The Park: Co-founder Christopher Roberts, a passionate fan of music, was inspired to launch this significant New York event, which showcases Jamaican musical culture to a diverse community.
• Community Social Responsibility: The restaurant has a strong social responsibility program, including:
  • Providing meals to different schools and school feeding programs.
  • Offering hundreds of cooked meals weekly to essential workers in hospitals, nursing homes, and medical facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Involvement in charitable contributions in Jamaica, such as providing computer and printing equipment to local schools and boys’ homes.

Location and Contact Information

The Door is conveniently located just minutes from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), making it a gateway to Jamaican hospitality in Queens.