Hankering for a taste of home, but you just happen to be in Florida, well no worries, because Tyrone Nabbie and his partners, Chad and Bassel Maali have taken the cuisine of The Bahamas to the United States ? specifically Central Florida.

If you're in Miami, it will take just a short three-hour drive to get there. From Ft. Lauderdale, it's 2-1/2 hours, and from Tampa, a mere 30-45-minute drive, and you can indulge in fabulous food and genuine Junkanoo fun at Kafe Kalik, a 10,000 square-foot full-service restaurant located in the Prime Outlet International Mall, 4969 International Drive, Orlando, Fl.

They've taken native favorites tweaked it here, added a little spice there, thrown in a few influences from our Caribbean neighbors, some of the culinary styles of Asia, and are showcasing it in the restaurant which has a seating capacity of 315 persons, along with two group rooms that can accommodate 20 people on each side.

If you're familiar with the fare on offer at Kafe Kalik, Festival Place, Prince George Wharf, Nassau or Grand Bahama, then you need to put that out of your mind and think on a more grandiose scale, when you think about the Orlando flagship store ? the menu has more than 70 items from which to choose, with some of your Kafe Kalik favorites ? Nassau Grouper Fingers, Traditional Conch Fritters, Guava BBQ Rooster Wings, Yardie Spiced Curry Chicken to Chicken in A Bag, and the Sheep Runner Lamb Shank Curry, with a number of mouthwatering additions that will blow your mind and your taste buds. Think Goodman's Bay Banana Shrimp Scampi, Plank-roasted Tamarind Salmon, Clapboard Wood Grilled Garlic Shrimp and even sushi rolls with a real Bahamian flare ? Queen Conch Royal Roll (tempura cracked conch, rice, cabbage slaw, bennies, tamarind soy and calypso sauce), Bump and Grind for Two (Grouper, lobster, cucumber, pepper, onions, rice, cream cheese, bennies, lime, tamarind soy and horseradish), or the Five Cent, 10 Cent, Dollar Roll (fried grouper fingers, cabbage slaw, rice, green pepper, tomato, Junkanoo chips, tamarind soy and horseradish.

Of course no Bahamian or visitor to our shores can resist conch salad, and Kafe Kalik has put their spin on that too, with a ceviche menu. You can get your regular conch salad or try one of their kicked up ceviches like the Kalik Bronzed Scallops with tomato juice, citrus and pepper sauce or the seared fresh tataki tuna/salmon lomi lomi with mango and tomato.

And it just wouldn't be a true-true Bahamian restaurant if peas n' rice, plantain, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and potato salad weren't on the menu, but of course they are.

There's a section for steak lovers, and of course the salad which can be topped hot or cold with mahi, grouper fingers, BBQ garlic shrimp, minced lobster, rotisserie curry chicken, cracked chicken, crab meat to name a few.

If it's a sandwich you're after, their grouper finger sandwich served with tartar sauce, pepper sauce, seasonal lettuce mix Bahamian coleslaw and Junkanoo chips should hit the spot. Then there's the Baby Bahama Burger (Angus sirloin beef with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, Bermuda onion, pickle) BBQ Guava Hog (Inagua hog boneless rib in a guava BBQ sauce, red onion, spicy pickled chips, coleslaw and Junkanoo chips), Roasted Chicken Salad (curry mayonnaise, pineapple, cucumber and tomato ribbons, seasonal lettuce mix, Junkanoo chips and Bahamian coleslaw) to name a few are described as slammers.

Dessert is definitely not to be forgotten. The chefs at Kafe Kalik have added fairy dust, or so it seems in their Tropical Creamery, a warm fried duff puff, topped with powdered sugar, cane syrup and marshmallow fluff. You get to choose what flavor ice cream you want it served with, and it seems almost endless ? guava, passion fruit action, tangerine creamsicle, lemon dream, coconut custard, banana foster, banilla bean, papaya yaya, mango tango, very berry, pineapple dapple, chocolate a holic, key lime in mind, rum raisin crazen, sour sop and tamarind.

If ice cream doesn't float your boat, I'm sure the coconut cr?me brulee, chocolate banana bread pudding or the fried pineapple rings, guava cobbler kettle, or a mini trife cr?me shooter (layered frozen fruit ice, cr?me and cake will be the perfect end to your meal.

If you just happen to be in Florida, a visit to the newest Kafe Kalik, which is an actual must, because it's fabulous for food and genuine Junkanoo fun. In addition to the outstanding cuisine, the vibrant tones of the restaurant invite you to come on in and take a load off. You can get lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Nabbie and his team promise that upon entering Kafe Kalik you will instantly feel as if you are in The Bahamas ? from the colorful server's clothing to the bright, richly-colored d?cor to unique meal selections. The dining experience will fully embrace a complete modern Bahamian "Eatertainment" dining experience.