New Manchester Jamaican Restaurant Has Unique Touches

MANCHESTER, CT — Tuesday was a chance for Rossetta Salmon to show off her new restaurant to the entire Manchester community. After all, it was Jamaican Independence Day and Long Gut Miss Pinny Jamaican Restaurant serves up some pretty authentic food.

"It's always been my dream to open a fine dining Jamaican Restaurant," she said.

And that's certainly the atmosphere at Long Gut Miss Pinny, which is located at 856 Main St. and takes the place of a former bakery.

A bright dining room greets customers are they walk in and what really catches the eye are the Jamaican flag colors on the booths.

"The booth we bought from a restaurant that went out of business and we had an upholstery company make the colors," Salmon said. "I didn't want it to be took much and it think it's just right."

It was a two-year project to convert the old bakery, including knocking the old back wall out and fashion a bar. The distinctive bottle of Red Stripe beer sits prominently on the backdrop.

The name carries unique meanings. Salmon said Miss Pinny is an archetype that represents cultural Jamaican values — taking care of one another and lending a hand. She symbolizes the idea that there is power in doing what you love, and highlights the importance of familial gatherings and spending time with those you cherish the most.

She said Long Gut is a colloquial term used playfully to describe a person who loves to eat.

"We seek to take traditional Jamaican meal staples and present them in ways that showcase the natural beauty and flavor of the food and culture we love so much," she said.

Yes ... Bob Marley has a place of honor on one of the walls.

See more on the restaurant here.

Here's a look at Rossetta and the restaurant: