New SLO restaurant blends flavors from South Carolina, West Africa and Caribbean
New restaurant I & I Neighborhood Kitchen is set to open in San Luis Obispo, offering a blend of West African, Caribbean and southern cuisines in the spot formerly occupied by Platypus Cafe.
I & I is short for “irie ites,” a Jamaican term that refers to “positivity” or “joy,” according to the restaurant’s website, or as owner and chef Stan Kelly puts it, a “positive vibration.”
Kelly said that the term represents the singularity of humanity, and he’s wanted to create a community restaurant where everyone is welcome.
“You’re coming in, you’re breaking bread, you’re gonna have a conversation with people that you never probably would have a conversation with,” Kelly said.
Kelly says I & I is expecting to have a soft opening by next weekend — June 6 to 8 — from 3-10 p.m.
Kelly says he drew inspiration from personal experience growing up in Charleston, South Carolina.
“Those three cuisines are kind of intertwined with one another, obviously through slave trade and whatnot,” Kelly said, referring to dishes like Jollof rice, which is historically from West Africa but has made its way to the Caribbean and the U.S.
Speaking of which, Kelly expects that I & I’s version of the dish — puréed peppers, tomatoes, andouille sausage and shrimp served over red rice — will be a hit, along with the collard greens with smoked turkey.
“That’s what my mother used to cook with her collard greens with smoked turkey meat in there. That’s going to be really good,” Kelly said.
Kelly used to have a food truck, Wicked Garden, affiliated with SLO Wine and Beer Co. on South Higuera Street, where he served a similar cuisine to I & I’s, including a jerk chicken taco that people “raved about.”
SLO is home to Ethiopian restaurant Ebony and Bon Temps Creole Cafe, but Kelly says for the most part, he hasn’t seen as much West African or Caribbean cuisine here.
He thinks people will be receptive to this new addition to SLO’s dining scene, especially since the Caribbean is a popular tourism spot and many are already familiar with the food.
With 12 seats inside and 22 outside, Kelly’s excited about I & I’s intimate dining experience.
“I think it’s going to grow and I think it’s going to be very successful,” Kelly said.
Also on the menu will be charcuterie, flatbreads and panini, priced at $17-$18. Brunch includes items like avocado toast, grits with shakshouka and harissa roasted potatoes with callaloo, a common Caribbean leaf vegetable used for stews and dishes. Bottomless mimosas, coffee, cold brew and other drinks are also available.
Lunch and dinner will be served Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Brunch will be offered on Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring a three-piece jazz band out front.
I & I Neighborhood Kitchen is located at 1901 Broad St. and will have a soft opening June 6 to 8 from 3-10 p.m. For more information, visit irieiteskitchen.com or call 805-470-6533.
This story was originally published May 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
