A. Braised Lamb Shank                   B. The Gus Pizza             C. (L-R) Friend, Lisa Samough and Gabby from Suga Lifestyle
Two words to describe it – nice and quaint.
What did I have? No I did not have Red wine, can you believe it? Suga is a Chardonnay and Riesling kinda girl.
I had a 2014 Crnko-Riesling + Sauvignon Blanc Blend from Slovenia ($11USD/glass) that was lovely.
They have a wide selection of items, not only on their wine menu but food menu as well. Note that an alcohol charge (~3%) is added to your bill. Salads and Soups, Paninis, Pizzas (Crispy Wheat/Roasted Flat breads), Salmon, Catch of the Day, Crab cakes, Sea Bass and more are offered.
I had a tasty, tender Braised Lamb Shank ($24US) over chopped eggplant, green olives, golden raisins, shaved almonds with mint yogurt.
My friends enjoyed The Gus ($10) Pizza with pepperoni, sausage, ham and housemade marinara as well as the Bistro Filet ($23US) 8oz beef with red red wine reduction.
Our waiter was awesome too and will be coming to Jamaica next year!
Without giving away too much about the movie, Suga will tell you why Concussion just may be the movie to watch this Holiday Season and where to watch it.
Suga went to iPic Theaters in Maryland last Monday night and it was like a hotel! Persons have compared it to the AMC Theater in Long Island, NY. Not only can you purchase tickets beforehand, which is normal, but you can reserve regular seats in the theater and you do not need to join any lines when you reach. You just simply head to the Express ticketing machine and print your tickets. During the holiday season with no line, it must be an efficient system.
The counter to buy tickets looks like you are checking in at a hotel, not to mention the fabulous art work displayed on the walls on the way to the different theaters and then there are the bathrooms! If you get into a fight with your date you can hide in luxury all night in there.
Then there is comfortable seating that is too comfortable for some people, putting them to sleep with a blanket, pillow and reclined chair with a raised footrest.
Gabby from Suga Lifestyle relaxes and gets ready to watch Concussion last Monday night at iPic Theatres, Maryland
Note that chairs are paired together in 2s and 4s, so a bit difficult for sensitive 3rd wheels and single people, at least for the theater I was seated in.
Your personal waiter introduces himself to you as you sit down, takes your order and you can order throughout the movie too with just the press of a button.
What’s on the menu besides the standard Popcorn, Soda, Hot dogs and Chips? A wide Wine selection, Beers by draft or the bottle, Cocktails, Pizzas, Dips and Spreads, Desserts, Burgers, Tacos, Sandwiches, Skewers, Lobster rolls and more.
So my Suga Readers, find an iPic Theater near you!
Now on to the movie based on a true story, Concussion with Will Smith, also featuring Alec Baldwin.
Photo: http://en.wikipedia.org
How would Suga describe it? It was like Pursuit of Happiness 2 and you know sequels have less impact than the originals. There was depth but not to the degree of tear jerkers in Pursuit of Happiness. Will Smith was quite good though.
Will played Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian Forensic Pathologist that came to America and made a correlation between the damage to some American Football players suffering Concussions and Chronic Traumatic Envephalopathy (CTE).
He came to America and spoke to and for the dead. He perfomed an autopsy that changed his life and the NFL on Mike Webster, former Pittsburgh Steelers center in 2002.
The sudden and unexpected deaths and suicides of other NFL players such as Terry Long in 2005 after Webster, built his case further.
According to the movie, many NFL players have been diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease but with more deaths and positive results for CTE, could the NFL deny science?
Did the NFL publicly acknowledge the link between Concussions sustained by players and CTE and of so, when?
Did players do or say anything?
Was the NFL brought to court?
How many other deaths were there from ‘CTE’?
Did the movie have an effect on Players?
Find and Watch Concussion at a theatre near you, preferably an iPic Theatre, remember the News and then Google.
However, the game plays on. Many lives have been changed, saved and opportunities created for young men across America because of American Football.
Last night the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals gave viewers an entertaining close to Monday night football. After a 17-17 tie and an opportunity for the Broncos to win, their kick went way off the left side of the post forcing overtime (OT).
The Broncos then recovered a loose ball in OT and clinched their Playoff Berth.
I know Americans have been watching closely but my Jamaicans, if your team looks like they have no chance of making the Playoffs or you just haven’t been paying attention, now is the time to choose your team. Playoffs start January 9!
Only 6 teams will play for each Conference.
Here are the standings for the AFC:
Taken from ESPN Scorecenter
Here are the standings for the NFC:
Taken from ESPN Scorecenter
With New Years around the corner, so is that Super Bowl Party. Not to mention, it will be Super Bowl 50. The Halftime show and Ads should be spectacular!
Thanks for reading Suga Lifestyle and making Suga your source for Sports updates, Health tips, Charity Awareness and for making many Restaurant choices to suit various occasions.
Have you heard about Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Jabba’s Peppa Swims?! Gear up for next year, because if you are in the corporate area, especially New Kingston, some delicious, affordable food can be delivered to you at work or home, free of cost. Pick up options are also available. Sounds great right? Another option to add to our very limited lunch selection.
Lunch from Jabba’s Smoked Grill is available on Saturdays. Lunch costs $600JMDinclusive of delivery in the corporate area. You have a choice of either Jerked or Barbecue chicken along with sides of sweet potato, rice and peas and/or roast breadfruit.
Jabba’s Peppa Swims are mild or spicy packages of shrimps available on Tuesdays and Fridays at a cost of $280JMD each. But don’t worry, the spicy one will not leave you choking. It is tastefully done with the right level of spice so you enjoy it but you are comfortable at the same time. As deliveries are done mainly in New Kingston, they are currently a big hit with corporate offices such as JMMB, Sagicor, Barita and more. So you don’t need to travel to St. Elizabeth for ‘swims’, you can get them delivered to you or pick up at 31-33 Trafalgar Road (BNS with no sign), opposite the NCB atrium, anytime between 8am and 5pm.
Filling serving!
For both Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Jabba’s Peppa Swims, it is best to order the night before or on the day before 12 noon, by calling 876-296-7304.
Ok so now you know what is offered and the cost, but who does the cooking? Jabba!
Who or what is Jabba?
Jabba is young, Jonathan Simpson, who just has a love for cooking and was thus inspired to start this endeavour. I have actually tasted Jabba’s chicken from as far back as 2008 at a friend’s baby shower. Yes! Jabba does catering too and used to even have a small restaurant back in the day that offered Jamaican lunches such as Curried Goat, Oxtail, Cow foot, Jerked Chicken and more.
Where has Jabba been all these years?
A few years ago, the restaurant business alone was not enough for Jabba and he felt that a ‘9-5’ would be better for the finances so started working with Scotiabank. But when something is just a part of you, it always finds its way back. So recently, he found a way to still work with the bank but to branch out into what he loves to do even more as well, cook.
Who taught him how to cook?
Well the Chicken and other things came naturally to him for the most part but a young lady who he used to buy shrimp from taught him how to prepare the shrimps aka ‘swims’ when he developed an interest to do it himself.
How did the rave about Jabba’s Swims begin?
About 4 or 5 years ago, Jabba prepared his shrimps for a fundraiser at the office and the people wanted more. The interest and liking for it spread by word of mouth to different offices within the area.
What makes Jabba’s Chicken and Shrimps different?
It’s all about the freshness, the sauce and the general taste of the food.
Freshness is important folks, so it is unlikely that the Peppa Swims ‘goi run u belly!’. Pepper shrimps are a local favourite but a lot of the shrimps sold on the street side are not fresh. Jabba’s shrimps are usually prepared on the morning of or the night before they are sold. They are a hot commodity so they sell off in one day. If you are brave, I have been told that you can refrigerate and have the shrimp up to 5 days after purchase or a day after if you do not refrigerate.
With regards to the sauce, I remember licking the sauce off my fingers from that Chicken from 2008! Yes, literally ‘finger-lickin’ good’.
Then of course, the taste is unique as a result of the preparation with freshness, seasoning and the added sauce or peppers.
Where is the Chicken and Shrimp sourced from?
Chicken is sourced from Best Dressed Chicken and the Shrimps from Rainforest Seafoods.
What has Jabba done catering for before?
His ‘Eat All You Want Buffet Seafood’ years ago and most recently, Weddings and parties such as Haunted and Afloat Soca Cruse. BBQ Pigstail, BBQ Chicken, Pasta and Garlic bread were a hit at Haunted!
Can you order this week?
Sorry Suga bears, Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Peppa Swims is currently closed for the holidays and will reopen for business by Saturday, January 9, 2016.
The near future of Jabba’s Peppa Swims?
By the 2nd week in January, Jabba’s popular Peppa Swims will be at Bickles in Sovereign Centre Food Court on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $300JMD per bag.
So as we think about food of all kinds for the festive season and wonder how we will afford lunch in January, look out for Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Peppa Swims next year!
Last night, Steve Harvey announced Miss Colombia as the winner of the Miss Universe Pageant and the card read Miss Philippines as the winner.
Miss Colombia was crowned by the reigning Miss Universe who is also from Colombia. So it was a jubilant celebration.
Then Steve came out and apologized profusely in English. So Miss Colombia must have had an idea what happened but of course seemed a bit lost at first.
Honest mistake but HUGE error on Steve’s part. Miss Colombia even started to celebrate but it was clear with no contestants running up to her, and from the previous rounds of the competition, Miss Philippines was the true winner.
Both contestants displayed great grace after such a terrible mishap. Kudos to both ladies.
It was too late to apologize and he probably will never host another Pageant but we still love you Steve!
First of all, what is Skunk Nation? Skunk Nation represents Jamaica’s ‘Stinkest’ (Eye catching), finest machines a.k.a. cars. Whether it’s the paint job, rims, tints etc., it is all about the time, effort, skill and vision becoming reality while building and supporting local at the same time.
Two Saturdays ago, Skunk Nation had their annual ‘Xmas Charity for the Kids’ that Suga attended at Susie’s Bakery in South Dale Plaza, which brought Skunk rides by different teams across Jamaica together for a good cause.
Persons were asked to bring gifts to drop in their gift drums or to make monetary donations.
Cars were on display of course and Dancehall Artiste, Tanto Blacks made quite a memorable appearance. It was an exciting night of dancers, music and freestyling.
Throughout the night as the liquor flowed and the vibe got ‘rich’, persons felt more inclined to drop money in the boxes carried around by Skunk Nation’s team of girls.
Donations such as strollers and more were handed over to Mary’s Child Girls Home last week with the aid of sponsors, Truck Stop, Sparkles Productions, Chun Scents, Ship n’ Go and KMS Distributors to name a few.
Nicholas Lue hands over some donations to Ms. Williams of Mary’s Child Girls Home last week
Well done Skunk Nation!
Follow Skunk Nation on Instagram @skunknationja or @skunknation or like them on Facebook, Skunk Nation Ja. Find out when their next event will be!
â— Eat something light (fruits/vegetables/cereal/sandwich) shortly before arriving so you don’t have a big appetite, especially for those calorific finger foods and snacks that add up quickly.
â— Calorie log awareness
– Stay in control using  a Food diary, Fitness pal app or other apps
â— Limit alcohol intake
– Try club soda with lime and olives
â— Do NOT stand near to the food table
– You might want to keep picking at it
â— Take small amounts so you don’t feel bad leaving a lot behind on your plate
