Kenny’s Italian Café

The best out west

FOR AUTHENTIC Italian cuisine, Kenny’s Italian Café is ranked among the best in western Jamaica.

Located along Norman Manley Boulevard in the capital of casual, Negril, the restaurant and bar is designed to satisfy the taste buds of lovers of Italian cuisine, right here on home soil.

The establishment is a favourite among tourists as well as locals — anyone looking for an unforgettable night of good food, drinks, and entertainment in a tranquil environment.

“It is where Italy meets Jamaica,” said Devon ‘Kenny’ Johnson, who opened the doors of his dream seven years ago.

“I’ve been going to Italy since 1998, and I love the concept of their restaurants. You know how people dine with that roadside concept, and so I told myself that I wanted to do something similar,” he explained.

Johnson, who worked for many years in numerous kitchens and bars in the local hospitality industry, studied Italian diverse restaurant culture, and brought that knowledge back home.

SMALL START

“So I started out with a small bar, and few little Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta dishes, and appetisers. But over time, the business grew in terms of both infrastructure and service, into what you now see here today,” Johnson outlined.

The Italian Café, which now boasts a team of 30 members of staff, is famed for its mouthwatering signature dishes such

as chicken and shrimp Alfredo, grilled fish, amatriciana pasta and, of course, Italian chicken and pepperoni pizza.

Better still is the café’s topsellers of J. Wray & Nephew-inspired cocktails with creative names such as: Green Monster, Lady Stick, and Irish Coffee.

“J. Wray & Nephew’s products, like their white rum and Appleton, are very important to us. They are my main supplier because of how

good their brands are. Over the years, we have developed a strong bond, and I hope we keep working together,” said Johnson.

Kenny’s Italian Café is opened every day from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., with a resident DJ who entertains customers every night after 11 p.m.

“Kenny’s Italian Café is so different from the rest, and is the only place in Jamaica where you are treated to authentic Italian food, and we just want everyone to stop by when they are in Negril,” Johnson told Food.

PHOTOS BY OKOYE HENRY Italian Lov – Frangelico, Sangster’s Rum Cream, milk, chocolate syrup and Appleton Signature Blend.

The chicken and shrimp Alfredo from Kenny’s Italian Restaurant is like no other.

Lady Stick – Appleton VX, coruba, pineapple and orange juice.

Kenny’s authentic Italian chicken and pepperoni pizza.

The JamWest Speedway family at Kenny’s Italian Café in Negril.

Kenny’s Italian Café started out as a small bar seven years ago, to now serving the best Italian dishes out west.

AT RIGHT: Kenny’s Italian Café is the perfect place for friends to hang out and unwind.

The friendly staff of Kenny’s Italian Café.

PHOTOS BY OKOYE HENRY Kenny’s grilled fish.

Green Monster – J. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum, Blue Curaçao, Crème de Banana, Stone’s Ginger Wine, pineapple and orange juice, and a splash of lime juice.

Devon ‘Kenny’ Johnson, the owner of Kenny’s Italian Café.