Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom at Universal's CityWalk

On Saturday, we dined at Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom at Universal's CityWalk.  I didn't even know the restaurant existed until I read my friend Amanda's review on her blog Eating Out...Without.  I took some pictures of the restaurant, which is a replica of Bob Marley's home in Jamaica, but I accidentally deleted them.  

I was really excited to try this restaurant, because they serve Jamaican-influenced cuisine, they have plenty of gluten free options, and because of Amanda's review.  I loved that they were playing Could You Be Loved, my favorite Bob Marley song, when we were seated, but my family thought the music was too loud, which made it hard to talk to each other.  

We ended up ordering three entrees with the GF symbol on the menu, which signifies that the dish can be prepared gluten free.  The first dish I tried was the grilled Mahi-Mahi with red bliss mashed potatoes, sauteed green beans, and pineapple salsa.  I liked the seasoning on the fish, but thought it was a little overcooked.  The pineapple salsa was very tasty, but I had to ask for more, because the portion was so small.  I enjoyed the green beans too, but the best item on the plate was the mashed potatoes.

The curry shrimp is described as pan seared shrimp with Jamaican curry sauce, sweet corn, okra, white rice, seasonal vegetables, and shredded coconut.  Not being of fan of coconut, I had that left off the dish.  The seasonal vegetables were beautifully cooked, but I wasn't overly impressed with this dish.  The curry was decent, but there were only five shrimp with tails, and the rice was a little bit dry.  

My favorite dish at Bob Marley's was the Reggae Jamaican Jerk Chicken, which is described as marinated bone-in chicken, char-grilled and roasted, served with Caribbean rice and beans, and sweet plantains.  For $14.99, I thought the portion size of this dish was very good.  The meat was tender and flavorful, and I enjoyed it so much, I found myself wishing that I had ordered the Buffalo Soldier Jerk Wings, which have the same marinade, instead of the fish dishes I chose.  The sweet plantains and rice were the perfect sides for the chicken, which wasn't as spicy as I expected, but it was the right spice level for my daughters.  

Bob Marley's does not have any gluten free options on their dessert menu, so we headed to the Menchie's on CityWalk for frozen yogurt after dinner.  

I chose two gluten free flavors, the Swiss Miss Classic Hot Chocolate, and Oreo Just the Creme, which complimented each other well.  

Another gluten free dessert option on CityWalk is the Marshmallow Dream Bar at Starbucks.

You can read more about Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom on Universal's website here.  It opens daily at 4 pm.  Preferred and premier annual passholders can receive a 10% discount on their meal.   If you don't have an annual pass, and don't want to pay to park, Florida residents can park for free at Universal's parking garage after 6:00 (not valid Halloween Horror Nights, New Year's Eve, and special events).

Menu items that can be prepared gluten free:

Appetizers - jerk wings

Soup & Salad - jerk chicken salad, jerk steak salad, pepper pot soup

Catch of the Sea - curry shrimp, grilled Mahi-Mahi

Belly Full Entrees - curry chicken, stuffed peppers, oxtail stew, Jamaican jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish

Rock Steady Sides - sweet plantains with coconut, caribbean rice & beans, red bliss mashed potatoes, garden salad, yucca fries

Lil Legends Menu - baked cod

I would go back to Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom for the Jamaican jerk chicken entree, or to try the jerk wings, but I think I will have a hard time convincing my family to ever go back.  The service was a little slow, the music too loud, and we weren't crazy about two of our entrees.

What are your favorite gluten free dishes at Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom?