VIDEO: Island Salad Celebrates Grand Opening

, Bed-Stuy's first and only fresh food salad bar with a Caribbean twist celebrated its grand opening Wednesday afternoon to a crowd of community leaders, small business development representatives, residents and other well wishers.

Bed-Stuy resident John Mulzac, the building's owner who is most famous for his historic role as one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, also was on hand to give the business his full blessing.

Although the business opened in mid-March, Wednesday's opening underscored the excitement and optimism that Restoration Corporation and the Fulton Street BID holds for the continual revitalization of the Fulton Street as a burgeoning destination for new business development and growth.

Located at 1365 Fulton Street, Island Salad offers a wide menu of signature salads, pressed wraps, burritos, as well as create-your-own salad options at affordable prices.

In only three short months, the store has become a return destination for a number of Bed-Stuy residents, its biggest draw being the bar's 20 different Caribbean-inspired signature salads including Island Jerk Salad made of the spring mix, roasted chicken, kidney beans, red onions, mixed peppers, corn, cranberries, walnuts, cheddar cheese and Jerk vinaigrette dressing, $7.49.

Some of the other Caribbean creations include the Island Mo-Bay Salad made with romaine lettuce, island rice, black beans, sweet corn, jalapeno peppers, chili powder, mixed peppers and cilantro dressing, $5.49; and the Venus de Shrimp Salad is made of baby spinach, sweet and spicy shrimp, feta cheese, onions, black olives, cucumbers and tomatoes with Cilantro dressing, $7.99.

Customers also can create their own salads from the store's option of fresh ingredients, most of which is purchased dailing, including a choice of romaine lettuce, mixed greens or spinach. Sides vary and are plentiful, including tomatoes, cucumbers, kidney beans, bell peppers, hot peppers, corn, carrots, cranberries, walnuts, sunflower seeds, artichokes and plenty more.

Island Salad is open Monday through Saturdays, from 11:00am until 9:00pm. It also caters and delivers. For more information about the Fulton Street location, call 347-915-1222 or visit the store's website.