East Liberty will soon welcome a Caribbean restaurant to its growing
mix of amenities. Owner Owen Ben Crownie plans to open Royal Caribbean
at 128 South Highland Avenue before Halloween.
Located
between Baum Boulevard and Centre Avenue, the 1,600 square-foot BYOB
restaurant will seat 40 and feature authentic Caribbean fare, such as
Jamaican jerk chicken, vegetable patties, and its signature roti and
rum cake.
Crownie, who received a $5,000 loan from
East Liberty Development, Inc. to launch the business, is remodeling the
property himself, adding ceramic tile, bamboo detailing and a Caribbean
décor.
“I had a restaurant in the area but sold it in 1995.
People always suggested I re-open because no one could duplicate the
quality,” recalls Crownie, a native of Jamaica. “I’ve had so much
feedback and can’t wait to open.”
A graduate of
Point Park University, Crownie moved to Pittsburgh from Brooklyn in 1977.
Writer: Jennifer Baron
Source: Owen Ben Crownie