20180401_125954.jpg

Two Spots Fail for Suga on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail

20180401_125954.jpg

Suga’s Ratings for Crystal Edge Restaurant

Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments: I went specifically for the Oxtail, but the quality has fallen off majorly. It lacked seasoning and did not slide off the bone this time, but still had good texture. Diners at another table were expressing the same sentiment. The taste of Coffee was lost in the Coffee infused Chicken. Both dishes in chipped plates were served with Steamed Vegetables and Rice and Peas, but were swimming in gravy. Mediocre service and food with a breathtaking view.

20180401_130217
Oxtail from Crystal Edge, Irish Town
20180401_130157-1
Crystal Edge’s Coffee Infused Chicken

Suga’s Ratings for Café Blue

Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★☆☆☆

Speed: ★★☆☆☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments:  Staff was pleasant but inattentive. Crystal Edge’s staff were seen more around that side than the Café Blue waitresses. Desserts were dry. We had the Chocolate Mocha Cake and Strawberry Cheesecake.

20180401_132838
Strawberry Cheesecake from Café Blue, Irish Town

For such a long commute, disappointing experience thankfully overshadowed by the picturesque view of the Blue Mountains with cool, fresh air and the taste of rich, authentic Blue Mountain Coffee.

20180401_122533-1
Cappuccino from Cafe Blue, Irish Town

After the boost of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival 1 week before my visit, I expected more from Crystal Edge and Café Blue. Hope they get back on track soon. Not worth the drive.

Did You Know?

Strawberry Hill is now charging $2500JMD at the gate to include a welcome drink if you do not have a booking or reservation.

I was passing by for a drink in between Breakfast and Lunch. So for persons like myself and others who happen to be nearby and spontaneously choose to stop and may end up staying for Lunch etc., I think an entry fee is ridiculous. It would be similar if The Jamaica Pegasus would charge you to enter.

Stay tuned next week to see where is worth the drive on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail!

Crystal Edge Restaurant

Location: Irish Town, St. Andrew

Ph: 876-944-8053

Opening Hours: Tues. – Sun. @ 9am – 7pm

_ _ _

Café Blue, Irish Town

Ph: 876-944-8918

Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri @ 8:30am-4:30pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked these Reviews, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

Screenshot_2018-04-10-11-41-13-1

2 Gold, 2 Silver and a Bronze for Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games Today!

WOMEN’S TRIPLE JUMP FINAL

Screenshot_2018-04-10-11-41-13-1
Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams leaps to victory in the Women’s Triple Jump at the Commonwealth Games!

Jamaica’s ever so determined Kimberly Williams won Gold in the Women’s Triple Jump! Congratulations to her as well as our Shanieka Ricketts, who took the Silver. Thea Lafond of Dominica got the Bronze.

MEN’S 110m HURDLES FINAL

Jamaica got the 1-2 in the Men’s 110m Hurdles too! Congratulations to Ronald Levy who won Gold and our Olympic medallist, Hansle Parchment who got Silver. Aussie, Nicholas Hough placed third.

Screenshot_2018-04-10-09-30-41-1
Ronald Levy and Hansle Parchment celebrate after their 1-2 finish respectively in the Men’s 110m Hurdles at the Commonwealth Games today

MEN’S 400m FINAL

DONKEY MAN IS BACK!

Screenshot_2018-04-10-09-27-03-1
Javon ‘Donkey Man’ Francis before the start of the Men’s 400m at the Commonwealth Games in Australia earlier today

…But so is MAKWALA!

At last, Isaac Makwala of Botswana wins Gold impressively in 44.35s! His compatriot, Baboloki Thebe got the Silver and Jamaica’s Javon ‘Donkey Man’ Francis got the Bronze!

If you missed it, watch the “Men’s 400m Final – Commonwealth Games Gold Coast 2018” on YouTube here:

Well done Team Jamaica!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Screenshot_2018-04-09-00-25-46-1-1

Who’s going to the NBA Playoffs?!

The teams for the NBA Playoffs in the Eastern Conference have been set, while the Western Conference teams are still battling it out.

However, both Conferences remain competitive with a few games left in the season to determine their final standing before the Playoffs.

Current Conference Standings

Eastern Conference 

Screenshot_2018-04-09-00-25-46-1-1
Source: ESPN Scorecenter

Western Conference

Screenshot_2018-04-09-00-25-28-1
Source: ESPN Scorecenter

The Utah Jazz clinched their Playoff berth in the West last night with a win over the Lakers. Congrats to them.

Screenshot_2018-04-09-00-40-46-1
Photo: ABS-CBN Sports

What will be the fate of the New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, OKC and the Denver Nuggets?

Stay tuned!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Screenshot_2018-03-23-19-15-33-2.png

Suga has Eyes on Cellar 8’s NEW Deck!

Screenshot_2018-03-23-19-15-33-2.png
Photo: Cellar 8

After being open for just a short period of time, the nightly hot spot in upper Manor Park, Cellar 8, now offers Saturday and Sunday Brunch and has outgrown its space. Who knew they could create more?!

Suga checked out their new, well furnished deck last Easter Sunday and will return on a day when the Wine Bar and Bistro is buzzing.

Stay tuned for their updated review!

Cellar 8 Wine Bar

Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza

Ph: 876-613-5934

Opening Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 4pm – 11pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Screenshot_2018-04-04-06-22-52-1

Lunch at Café El Centro!

Screenshot_2018-04-04-06-22-52-1
Smoked Marlin Salad ($1850JMD +tx)

Suga’s Ratings for Café El Centro

Date & Time of Visit: Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 2:15pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Décor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: Manager, Tina Newman continues to be an exceptional hostess, making you feel right at home. The Smoked Marlin Salad was tasty and quite filling for a salad. My Grilled Sea Trout that was made to order, came out in 20 minutes as I was told it would. It was well seasoned and cooked. The mango salsa complemented it well. I was given the option of potato mash instead of the bammy and also had a freshly tossed vegetable salad on the side with their house-made vinaigrette. Cosy spot with satisfactory service and food. Value for money. #SugaEndorsed

Screenshot_2018-04-04-06-24-36-1
Grilled Fish ($1800JMD +tx)

Café El Centro 

Location: 8 Hillcrest Avenue

Ph: 876-927-8415

Opening hours: 9am – 10pm

Email: [email protected]

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Review, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

IMG_20171128_122218_668

Throwback Tuesday to these Mini Desktops/Tabletops from GW Art

IMG_20171128_122218_668
(5×7)” ‘Live Laugh Love’ and (4×6)” ‘Mind Blown 2’ Acrylic on Canvas GW Art Mini Tabletop/Desktop pieces

Suga is throwing it back to these Acrylic on Canvas Tabletop/Desktop pieces that were a part of the 2017 GW Art Christmas Collection.

Get your GW Art today!

GW Art

Email: [email protected]

Ph: 876-422-3769

Website (Gallery): 

http://www.sugalifestyle.com 

Instagram: @gwartbygabby

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Screenshot_2018-03-29-11-01-38-1

How to make Easter Mini Cheesecakes!

Screenshot_2018-03-29-11-01-38-1
Photo: Kraftrecipes.com

 

Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 3 Hours 20 mins (Don’t worry, it includes 2 hours chilling time in the fridge)
Servings: 18

Ingredients
– 1 cup Graham cracker crumbs
– 3/4 cup and 2 tbsp. Sugar, divided
– 3 tbsp. Butter or Margarine, melted
– 3 pkg. (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
– 1 tsp. Vanilla
– 3 Eggs
– 1 cup and 2 Tbsp. Baker’s Angel Flake Coconut, toasted
– 54 (3 per mini cheesecake) speckled malted milk eggs/Chocolate eggs

Method

1. Heat oven to 325°F.

2. Mix Graham crumbs, 2 tbsp. Sugar and Butter, then press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups.

3. Beat Cream cheese, Vanilla and remaining Sugar with mixer until blended. Add Eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low-speed after each, just until blended.

4. Spoon mixture over crusts.

5. Bake 25 to 30 min. or until centers are almost set.

6. Cool completely. Refrigerate 2 hours.

7. Top each mini Cheesecake with 1 tbsp. coconut and shape to resemble bird’s nest. Add 3 malted milk eggs to each.

Recipe Source: Kraftrecipes.com

Don’t have the time?
Although cooking from scratch usually tastes better, you can get the Betty Crocker No-Bake Cheesecake Mix that includes the crumb base.

Here is how you buy less ingredients and cut 7 steps to 4!

Ingredients
– Betty Crocker Cheesecake Mix
– 90g melted Butter
– 400ml cold Whole Milk (or Almond Milk to cut down on the sat. fat)
– 1 cup and 2 Tbsp. Baker’s Angel Flake Coconut, toasted
– 54 (3 per mini cheesecake) speckled malted milk eggs/Chocolate eggs

 

Method
1. Blend biscuit crumbs with melted butter. Press into base of paper cup in pan.

2. Beat mix with milk in large bowl on low-speed until moistened. Scrape the bowl and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until thick and creamy.

3. Spread on top of biscuit base. Put in fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.

4. Decorate with Coconut and Chocolate Eggs, and serve!

Screenshot_2018-03-29-11-01-44-1
Voila! (Photo: Kraftrecipes.com)

Enjoy and Have a Happy and Holy Easter!

By: Gabrielle Burgess 

If you liked this Recipe, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.   

Screenshot_2018-03-30-10-27-58-1-1

It’s Official! Rockets clinch No. 1 seed in the WEST!

Screenshot_2018-03-30-10-27-58-1-1
Photo: Bleacher Report

It’s official! The Houston Rockets have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference of the NBA. This ends the Golden State Warriors’ 3-year reign.

Suga thinks that the Warriors’ Dynasty will come to an end. Their players are plagued with injuries this year and things just aren’t going their way. The natural thirst to win the title after winning three, is likely to be less than others such as the Rockets and OKC.

Current Standings for the NBA’S Western Conference

Screenshot_2018-03-30-11-32-59-1

I think there will be a new NBA Champion this year and I still don’t think it will be the Rockets.

Stay tuned! Don’t you just love this game?!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

20180323_082035.jpg

Suga has Eyes on the NEW Jablum Coffee House!

20180323_082035.jpg

Suga scoped out the new, Jablum Coffee House located on the grounds of NCB Twin Towers, by the intersection of Oxford Road and Old Hope Road last week.

It is still a work in progress. At the moment they only offer Coffee, Snacks and Pastries. I was informed Sandwiches are coming soon.

Screenshot_2018-03-28-16-12-53-1.png

Based on its central location, the Cafe has a lot of potential and should strive to live up to it. It is quite small, but still has seating available. Plasma screens display clearly what they have to offer along with costs. Prices were relatable to other Cafes. For instance, Iced Coffee costs about $600JMD.

Stay tuned to Suga Lifestyle to see what happens with Jablum Coffee House!

20180323_081924-1.jpg

Jablum Coffee House

Location: 1 Oxford Road. Kingston 5. (By NCB Twin Towers)

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.