Pam's Kitchen — Review by Food Network
Seattle, United States — Trinidadian Caribbean
Guy Fieri visits Pam's Kitchen in Seattle's University District to experience authentic Trinidad food prepared by owner Pam Jacob. The reviewer is impressed by the homemade curries, traditional breads like paratha and dal puri, and especially the tender curry goat. Fieri describes feeling like he's sitting at home enjoying an authentic meal made from scratch.
What was great: Authentic Trinidadian cuisine made from scratch, flaky paratha bread, tender curry goat with bone, well-seasoned dishes with unique spice blends, homemade quality of all food
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
Pam's Kitchen showcases the flavors of Trinidad through a carefully curated menu of curries and traditional breads. The reviewer tries the curry chicken, roti, goat, and duck, all of which he praises for their authenticity and quality. The star of the meal is the curry goat, where Pam demonstrates her cooking technique by starting with heated oil infused with cumin, adding traditional Majestic curry powder from Trinidad along with turmeric, onions, garlic, cilantro, habanero peppers, and black masala. The goat is seared then pressure cooked for 20 minutes to achieve tenderness. The meat comes off the bone easily and is perfectly balanced with garlic and onions.
The bread offerings are equally impressive. The flaky paratha bread is buttery and layered, with the reviewer requesting more after his first taste. The dal puri, a stuffed bread, is made using seven cups of flour mixed with salt, Crisco, baking powder, and sugar. The filling consists of yellow split peas boiled and ground in a food processor, combined with cilantro, habanero, garlic, cumin, and salt. The duri are cooked fresh to order, creating a large air bubble in the middle that gives them an authentic Trinidad tortilla-like appearance.
Additional dishes sampled include lamb roti, chicken roti, beef roti, and palao. The reviewer notes that the spices make each dish unique, comparing the flavors to Trinidad Jumbo but with significantly more depth and complexity.
The Experience
The atmosphere at Pam's Kitchen transports diners to Trinidad itself. Fieri describes the experience as feeling like you're sitting at home enjoying an authentic meal prepared from scratch. The restaurant is located in Seattle's University District, an area filled with ethnic restaurants, but Pam's Kitchen stands out for its genuine approach to Caribbean cuisine.
Value and Pricing
While specific prices are not mentioned in the transcript, the focus is on the homemade quality and authentic preparation of each dish, suggesting good value for money given the care and technique involved in preparation.
Notable Moments
I just wanted to bring out everything that we had back home. I'm going to open up a restaurant so people can taste my food.
You feel like you're sitting at home to an authentic meal from scratch.
I'm hooked.
The Verdict
Pam's Kitchen is a must-visit for anyone seeking genuine Trinidadian cuisine in Seattle. Owner Pam Jacob has successfully created a space where traditional Caribbean flavors shine through careful preparation and quality ingredients. The commitment to making everything from scratch, from the spice blends to the breads, sets this restaurant apart. Whether you're looking to experience authentic Trinidad food or explore new ethnic cuisine, Pam's Kitchen delivers on both fronts.