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Suga has Pig Ears Thai Style in Jamaica!

Suga’s Ratings for Mystic Thai!

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★★

Comments: Great Service and Authentic Thai Cuisine dishes infused with a well-balanced variety of herbs, spices and flavours in satisfactory portions for affordable prices. Ambience and lighting for a romantic dinner, but also a neat spot to meet for lunch or dinner with family and/or friends over drinks.

I challenged Mystic Thai in Montego Bay to cook me Pig Ears Thai style and they did not disappoint!

I visited Mystic Thai two weekends ago to not only try the Pig Ear dish prepared for me, but to also enjoy other dishes for dinner on Saturday night at about 8:45pm with my husband, Randy who does not eat pork.

Randy started off with a fiery Tom Yum Vegetable Soup ($4USD), which was a mixture of lemon grass, Thai herbs and chilli paste. It’s not for the light-hearted. It was a burst of flavour defining all herbs that later offered the taste buds some relief with the cool, minty effect of lemon grass.

He then enjoyed the Crispy Fried Okra Appetizer ($8USD) that I highly recommended.

In my last article on Pig Ears, I took my readers through several countries and how they usually prepare Pig Ears for their cuisines. So I wasn’t surprised when Chef Bansi Joshi came to our table presenting a Pig Ears Salad. The Pig Ears were boiled first, then cut longitudinally and deep-fried.

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Pig Ears Salad with lemon juice, cilantro, scallion, tomato and onion.

I thought that was going to be it, but out came another Pig Ears dish!

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Kapow style Pig Ears with Thai Chilli, garlic and other spices.

This time the Pig Ears arrived Kapow style, that is, based in soy sauce and cooked with garlic, chilli and other spices. I am not a fan of soy sauce, but appreciated the spicy flavour brought on by the Thai Chilli that accompanied it, along with other added spices. It was sweet, then immediately followed by a hit of spicy.

The Pig Ears had a bit of crisp and slightly rubbery texture as expected for both dishes and they were prepared the same way. I preferred the Salad that was lighter with a more highlighted taste and texture of the Pig Ears, along with the refreshing taste of lemon juice and cilantro.

I actually could not accommodate much more food. I had a few of my delish Shrimps in Panang curry, then sampled a bit of Randy’s Basil Naan and Lobster in Red Thai Curry. The Lobster was tasty, meaty and its sauce complemented it well.

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A. Shrimp in Panang Curry based in Red Chillies and Peanuts topped off with coconut cream sauce ($14USD) B. Basil Naan ($3USD) C. Lobster in Red Thai Curry, a blend of Dried Red Chillies, Kaffir Lime rind, Coriander root and Cumin ($18USD)

We were both stuffed and satisfied, especially after the gastronomic day we had, but I ensured space was made for the Fruit and Nut Chocolate Naan that I missed out on the last time I visited. I am paying for that Nutella at the gym right now but it was worth it!

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Fruit and Nut Chocolate Naan

Suga snaps to Owner, Kareena Mahbubani for taking on and facilitating my Pig Ears challenge, Chef Bansi for great execution and the staff for their usual great hospitality and attentiveness.

Hope to visit again soon! #SugaEndorsed

Mystic Thai (Asian & Thai Cuisine)

Location: B11 – Fairview Towne Centre Unit, Montego Bay

Ph: 876-633-6535

Website: http://www.mysticthaijamaica.com

Opening Hours: Mondays – Sundays, 11:30am – 10pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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The Community of Standpipe and Students of New Providence Primary get Free Dentals, Health Checks and more for a Day!

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The University of Technology Jamaica, Department of Community Service and Development in association with the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains hosted Papine Wellness Fest 2018 for members of the Standpipe Community last Thursday, March 1st at the New Providence Primary School.

Members of the Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains and other volunteers also assisted with the Wellness Fest.

The students of New Providence Primary and other members of the Community were not only offered FREE Admission, but FREE Dental care, Medical and Eye examinations, Diabetes and Blood Pressure checks, as well as NIS, RGD and TRN Services.

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Students of New Providence Primary receiving Free Dentals last Thursday, March 1, 2018 at their School in Standpipe during Papine Wellness Fest 2018.

Keep up with The Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains, Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plaims and New Providence Primary School on Instagram @rclp7020, @rclpja and @newprovidenceprimary respectively.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

 

 

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Happy Monday from GW Art!

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GW Art’s ‘Baby Cactus 2’ – Framed Acrylic on Canvas

‘Baby Cactus 2’ is still available for purchase and is currently located at Cafe Fuzion on 12 Ruthven Road.

GW Art is great for your décor and makes awesome gifts! Get yours 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.

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TGIF to this Grilled Octopus from Byblos Miami!

Byblos Miami had a saucy Ribeye that looked salivating at the Wine and Food Festival two weeks ago in Miami.

Check them out and check out their Signature Grilled Spanish Octopus!

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Grilled Spanish Octopus from Byblos Miami (Instagram Photo: @byblosmiami)

Suga wishes we could get that quality Octopus in Jamaica. Thankfully, Miami is not too far away.

Enjoy the weekend Suga Bears!

Byblos Miami Mediterranean Restaurant

Location: 1545 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

Ph: 305-508-5041

Website: http://www.byblosmiami.com

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

 

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Get on the Bike with Pedal and Wheel Ja this Month!

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Instagram Photo: @pedalandwheelja

It’s not too late to start spinning with Pedal and Wheel Fitness this month. The term ends March 29, 2018.

Class Schedule (Subject to change):

Mondays:       6:30pm
Tuesdays:      5:30am – 6:30am
Wednesdays: 6:30pm
Thursdays:     5:30am – 6:30pm

Pedal and Wheel Fitness

***By Appointment Only***

For Details, Call/Email:

Ph: 876-382-3170

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @pedalandwheelja

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist)

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

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NEW Wine Bar in Ochi by Miss T’s Kitchen!

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Miss T happily cuts the ribbon to officially open ‘Di Wine Yaad’ (Instagram Photo: @misstskitchen)

Two Sundays ago, February 25, 2018, Anna-Kay Tomlinson, familiarly known as Miss T, officially opened ‘Di Wine Yaad’ on the same compound as her authentic Jamaican cuisine restaurant, Miss T’s Kitchen.

Suga and hubby, Randy passed by last Sunday at about 3:30pm to check out the new spot. I was greeted by cosy rocking chairs on the verandah, perfect for kicking back and sipping some vino.

Inside is cosy as well. I loved the décor. It was a tasteful cross between rustic and boho-chic.

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The server inside was professional, but not hospitable. She answered questions abruptly and did not enquire about our wine preference in order to inform us about what was available for our preferred palate.

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Wine is only available by the bottle for the time being and the Menu is currently in the making. Of course, Oxtail should be included. Miss T has the reputation for having the best Oxtail on the island, although Crystal Edge in Irish Town by Cafe Blue is stiff competition.

Di Wine Yaad already has an Instagram page with a teaser of Crispy Wonton Oxtail and Goat Cheese Ravioli that might be offered to pair with wine in the near future.

I will revisit when the Menu is ready! In the mean time, I just ordered the Oxtail Mania Appetizer from Miss T’s Kitchen to munch on before heading back to town. I wasn’t hungry, but was repeatedly warned about its small serving size by the staff. It was indeed small, but did not disappoint. Flavourful, well textured and seasoned Oxtail as usual.

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Boneless Oxtail on Cocoa Bread – $1098JMD incl. tax

 

Miss T’s Kitchen; Miss T’s Wine Yaad

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Location: 65 Main Street, Ocho Rios. St. Ann. Jamaica

Ph: 876-795-0099

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @misstskitchen;@diwineyaad

 

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Drop off your Plastic Bottles at Immaculate High’s Security Post!

RECYCLE     RECYCLE      RECYCLE!

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Suga’s Alma Mater, Immaculate Conception High School is in a competition to gather the most Plastic containers for Recycling. Get involved, especially if you are in a community nearby. Live with less plastic!

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Wysinco will visit Immaculate today to pick up their bottles, but the competition will continue until the end of the term, March 31.

***EMPTY Plastic Bottles are to be dropped off at the Security post at Immaculate High School***

Immaculate Conception High School

Location: 152c Constant Spring Road. Kgn. 8

Contact: 876-924-1719

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

 

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The Best and Worst Looks from the Oscars Red Carpet!

The stars rocked it on the Red Carpet for the Oscars last night. Both the Ladies and the Men did quite well, but of course there were a few fashion disasters.

White and Nudes were popular for the night.

Gina Rodriguez’s dress and how she wore it is what the Oscars are all about! Plunged neckline, sleek ponytail and a dress that dazzled in the right way for her to present under the lights on the Oscars stage.

Best Dressed Nominee

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Photo: e!online.com

Nude gone Wrong – Phoebe Waller-Bridge

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Photo: e!online.com

Nobody should ever go on the Red Carpet with what looks like Chicken pox!

A few stars wore black, but hardly any of them got it right. Who let St. Vincent out of her bat cave?

Black gone Wrong

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Photos: e!online.com

Black gone Wrong or Right?

I am on the fence for Taraji P. Henson in Vera Wang. This is a woman I love to see on the Red carpet. This dress on anyone else would make the Black gone wrong list, but Taraji wears the dress, the dress doesn’t wear her.

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Photo: usmagazine.com

Colourful Surprises!

I love Viola Davis, but I don’t think she was Pretty in Pink yesterday. I don’t think the Yellow worked out for Greta Gerwig either. But Betty Gabriel, the help from ‘Get out’ rocked her colourful dress. She looked beautiful.

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Photos: e!online.com

Stars who usually get it right!

Sandra Bullock who was in Louis Vuitton, Lupita Nyong’o who actually looked like an Oscar in Versace and Octavia Spencer are usually a pleasure to see. Well done ladies!

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L-R: Sandra Bullock, Lupita Nyong’o, Octavia Spencer (Photos: e!online.com)

Other Well Dressed Ladies

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Photos: e!online.com

Let’s not forget the Men! It seems like Common can do no wrong on the Red Carpet. No surprises either for Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman. Martin McDonagh looked sleek in All Black Burberry. Young, Timothée Chalamet was a Best Dressed Nominee for me in All White. Jordan Peele, writer and Director of ‘Get Out’ had a big night. He was the first Black male to win Best Original Screenplay.

Well Dressed Men

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Photos: e!online.com; Jordan Peele – The Daily Sentinel

Worst Dressed Men 

Of course there were a few fashion disappointments for the men. Adam Rippon was dressed for the wrong kind of party and Darrel Britt-Gibson looked like a Pink Panther.

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Photos: e!online.com

Worst Dressed Ladies

For the ladies, Whoopi we love you but you looked like a peacock about to take flight. Others looked like they were draped, literally like curtains. Salma Hayak added chandelier. Emma Stone looked as if she was going to a Pajama party and Bianca Blanco looked nice but I don’t think the dress was appropriate for the Oscars as it left little for the imagination.

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Photos: e!online.com; Bianca Blanco – express.co.uk

THE Worst Dressed Lady

Where was Haley Bennett going?! The Oscars are not in Hawaii.

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Photo: e!online.com

Best Dressed Male

For Suga, Best Dressed Male hands-down went to Armie Hammer in Armani. He rocked his red velvet from head to toe. Bravo!

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Photos: e!online.com

Best Dressed Ladies

Other than Gina Rodriguez mentioned earlier, these ladies were Best Dressed Nominees! Hard to choose a winner. Jane Fonda was stunning in 44 Francois Premier. Mary J. Blige who acted in Mudbound looked absolutely chic in  Versace. Allison Janney who played the Mother in ‘Get Out’ was the best Lady in Red. Nicole Kidman was fabulous in Armani Privé and definitely the Best in Blue.

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Photos: e!online.com

See you next year!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami!

South Beach is where it all went down for Foodies and Wine enthusiasts last weekend at the 17th annual Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)!

It was a 5-day destination event in Miami from February 21-25, showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits’ producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Emeril and more were there!

The Festival had many high-end events, including elaborate dinners and brunches, but also had events that costed less than $100US to attend. Whichever patrons chose, it definitely looked like value for money. The Festival is also for a good cause, as it benefits the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.

Over 1000 students get the opportunity to work at the Festival each year and the experience they gain is invaluable for their future in the hospitality field.

To date, the Festival has raised more than $26 million US for the School.

Let me show you a few of Suga’s favourite teasers that should have been palate pleasers. You can also note the Restaurants responsible to pay them a visit soon in Miami!

Ceviche Ceviche Ceviche!

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Agung Miami Beach’s Ceviche! (Photo: Agung Miami Beach)

Sushi like you’ve never seen it before!

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Omakase Plate from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill (Instagram Photo: @jasoneats)

A mountain of Tuna Tatake!

Tuna Tataki is a lightly seared yellowfin or ahi tuna that is served rare with a citrus based soy sauce.

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Tuna Tatake from Moshi Moshi Japanese in Miami, Florida (Instagram Photo: @goodeatsmeets)

How about some aged Ribeye on a skewer?!

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Aged Ribeye with spicy Garlic sauce from Byblos Miami Mediterranean Restaurant (Photo: @jasoneats)

Topping things off with Dessert! 

There were cascading doughnuts, gelato in probably every flavour and more at SOBEWFF.

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Honeybee Doughnuts Miami at the Southern Kitchen Brunch hosted by Trisha Yearwood, part of the NY Times Cooking series at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel (Photo: Honeybee Doughnuts Miami)

Suga’s friends and others that went to the Festival said there was every kind of food and wine you could think of, an absolutely gastronomical, star-studded, international event.

If you missed the Festival this year like myself, you should definitely put it on your calendar for 2019!

 

The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Eat. Drink. Educate

Website: www.sobewff.org

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @sobewffest 

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

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Save the Date!

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The Ministry of Tourism and The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be hosting a Festival for Jamaica’s flagship Blue Mountain Coffee this March 23-25, 2018 in New Castle, St. Andrew.

They promise an immersive experience from farm to cup and table!

For more Information:

Call: 876-405-0953

Email: [email protected]

Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @jamaicacoffeefest

Website: www.jamaicacoffeefest.com/

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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