Get your tickets and Support our local, artistic talent!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Rotaract Club of St. Andrew is hosting a Blood Drive Tomorrow
Save lives!
Keep up with the Non-profit organization, Rotaract Club of St. Andrew by following them on Instagram @rotaractstandrew.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Top Picks for the Tasty Category for RW!
Suga’s Top 7 picks for the Tasty ($1850) Category (excluding Beverages, Service & G.C.T) are:
KINGSTON
â— Crystal Edge Restaurant
Crystal Edge (876-944-8053; 355-3673) is located beside Cafe Blue in Irish Town where it is nice and cool with a view. It’s homey and comfortable. They have a simple but decent menu where the star dish is their Braised Oxtail that slides off the bone!
â— Dragon Court Restaurant
Dragon Court Restaurant by 6 South Avenue is an oldie but goodie. Consistently good food for years. Check them out.
â— Pizza Hut Dine-In Restaurant
Great value for money. Complimentary serving of Breadsticks with every meal! Go get your carb binge on.
*Suga usually promotes Sea Deck with their tasty food and large serving size but their service and quality have fallen off drastically. Hopefully they pick it up back soon.
MONTEGO BAY
â— Pizza Hut Dine-In Restaurant
Great to have a double up on locations for this category.
â— MVP Smokehouse
MVP Smokehouse on Bogue Road in Montego Bay (1st of 3 gambles for my top picks) looks like a decent option with Shrimp in Cilantro Garlic Sauce, BBQ Ribs and more. Their dessert options look lovely too.
â— Debut Fine Wine & Grill (Brick Oven Pizza)
Debut Fine Wine & Grill (Dry Harbour Place, 1-3 Gloucester Avenue – 2nd of 3 gambles for my top picks) looks like it has yummy Appetizers and a good variety of options for the Main, more than just Pizza.
OCHO RIOS
â— Boardwalk Bistro
Boardwalk Bistro (3rd of 3 gambles for my top picks) in Island Village Plaza has spicy Tuna and cream cheese dip with Plantain chips, Roast Snapper with Callaloo, Okra and more as well as Rum Fire Ice Cream, all of which I am looking forward to this weekend.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga is adding CPJ Deli to the Nyam & Scram Category
CPJ Deli’s Discounted Lunch Special menu looks like Value for Money in RW’s Nyam and Scram Category. With a glass of vino included, you can’t really lose.
Check them out as well as the others from a previous post. Click on link below:
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga’s Visit to Sora Japanese and Savoury Picks for RW 2016!
Suga visited the newest Japanese Restaurant to date in Jamaica, Sora Japanese Sky Cuisine almost 3 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon at about 4:30pm.
It took a few flights of stairs to get to the top floor where it is located and I don’t remember seeing any options for persons with wheelchairs. I really did feel like I reached the sky. Nice, new, modern décor awaited and pleasant faces. I prefer the outside seating and loved that they had a Bar out there.
Their menus were extensive for Food, Drinks/Cocktails and Wine. They had a special on Hardy’s wine (Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Moscato) from Select Brands for $450/glass and $1850/bottle which is probably much less compared to other Restaurants and Bars for decent enough Wine.
The name of our waiter slipped my memory but he offered excellent service. They have a buzzer for each table as well.
I would have preferred for Food to arrive quicker but it was still within a reasonable time.
Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and I was happy with his suggested Appetizer of Seafood Sumiso ($820JMD) -Boiled Shrimp & Scallops in a nice homemade Vinegar Miso Sauce that complemented it well.
My husband and I also had Miso Soup ($280JMD), Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura ($1750JMD), the Philly Roll ($1050JMD), California Roll ($730JMD) and another roll.
We didn’t expect the Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura to be all fried into one, meaning you couldn’t see the vegetables. So that was a bit disappointing but the Rolls were good as expected.
We topped dinner off with the Oreo rare Cheesecake ($780JMD) that was lovely and actually tasted homemade.
In terms of prices, they are comparable to the other Japanese Restaurants with regards to food. So basically, high metabolism folks like myself would have to order multiple dishes to feel satisfied because 1 Japanese dish/entrée in general is not filling enough, which racks up your bill.
Suga had a pleasant visit and will return.
***Note that Sora will be participating in Restaurant Week (RW) in the Savoury ($2800JMD) category (excluding Bar, Service and G.C T) and is recommended by Suga.
Sora Japanese Sky Cuisine
(Reservations Recommended)
Location: 9-11 Phoenix Avenue. Kingston
Ph: 876-649-0131; 876-649-0132
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30am-11pm
*Closed on Sundays*
Some more Savoury Picks from Suga for RW! :
Other than Sora Japanese, in Kingston, Suga selected Fromage Gourmet Bistro and The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach.
Suga did not select any Indian Restaurants in this Category because if you are going to go with Indian, why go halfway? Go all out in the Delectable Category.
Fromage Gourmet Bistro has consistently good food and service. Their menu of Steak, Crab stuffed Chicken, Lasagna Florentine is quite inviting.
The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach’s Smoked Pork Chops are delish! They do large servings that taste good. Great value for money.
For the 2nd city, Montego Bay, Suga’s pick is the good old Pelican Grill, where the Surf and Turf should be a pleaser.
For Ocho Rios, if Suga were to choose what looks like good gambles, I would go with Caffe da Vinci Ochi that suits Vegetarions, Meat lovers and Seafood lovers and the Great Escape Restaurant at Runaway Bay Golf Club.
***For Reservations***
â— Fromage Gourmet Bistro
Location: 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston
Ph: 876-622-9856; 876-927-7062
â— The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach
Location: 2 Brompton Rd., Kingston 5
Ph: 876-630-4571; 876-630-4163
â— Pelican Grill
Location: Gloucester Avenue Strip, Montego Bay
Ph: 876-952-3171
â— Caffe da Vinci (Ocho Rios)
Location: 7/13 Turtle River Road. St. Ann, Ocho Rios
Ph: 876-630-7025
â— Great Escape Restaurant, Runaway Bay Golf Club
Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios
Ph: 876-973-4239
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Donald Trump is the President Elect of the United States! How come?!
From the colour of Florida started to turn Red with 29 Electoral votes and Ohio also went Republican with 18 Electoral votes, America and the rest of the World started to wonder what was happening.
Donald Trump crushed Hillary with 289 electoral votes to her 218. 270 was the number needed. Hillary made a formal telephone call last night or I should say early a.m. to Donald to concede the race. She will make her concession speech this morning at 10:30am in New York City. President Elect Donald Trump gave his speech at about 3 a.m.
The majority of the World is stunned and saddened by the outcome of this Election. The Canadian Immigration site crashed, Stocks have plummeted and the numbers 11 and 9 are a nightmare for America once again.
What happened?! The last minute FBI fiasco with Hillary and the emails and America has spoken. They want a change. Many do not like Hillary and the reality is, she is a Female that they are not willing to accept after enduring 2 terms of their 1st Black President from the same party.
Donald Trump told us what he was going to do and he did it strategically. He is a Businessman and he surely meant Business. Well done Donald and Congratulations.
May God Bless America.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
It’s Finally D-Day for Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and the Rest of the World!
The day America and the World has been waiting for is finally here, the US Presidential Election Day 2016!
I think it is safe to say we have had it with all the ads, comedic debates and the insults thrown back and forth between the 2 candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and would just like to see the outcome of the most embarrassing Presidential Election for the USA.
Today America has to choose the better of the worse and it will also be the day we could witness history if Hillary wins and becomes the 1st Female President of the United States.
It has been a tight race up to today so get your wine ready for the Watch party!
Suga recommends staying tuned to CNN’s coverage. They are likely to go in depth with maps, holograms and more. Then the moment Wolf Blitzer appears, things have gotten serious and the winner of the Election is about to be called.
Based on a calculation of the most recent Public Polling, there are 11 Swing states to watch!
1. COLORADO
2. FLORIDA
3. IOWA
4. MICHIGAN
5. NEVADA
6. NEW HAMPSHIRE
7. NORTH CAROLINA
8. OHIO
9. PENNSYLVANIA
10. VIRGINIA
11. WISCONSIN
Let Election day BEGIN and May God Bless America!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Where to Reserve your Tables for RW’s Delectable Category!
Suga could not select a clear #1 choice for RW’s Delectable Category ($3800JMD excl. Bar, GCT, Service charge) this year because of the difference in Cuisines.
So Suga’s Top 2 picks are the relatively new kid on the block, Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine in Kingston and the always outstanding, Houseboat Grill in Montego Bay based on their menus and in turn value for money, ambience, décor and service.
The Surf and Turf from The Houseboat Grill should be to die for!
Remember that the Delectable and Epicurean categories are excellent considerations for Date nights or to dress up and go out with Friends and Family. Shampoo!
Dinner from Nirvanna last December 2015!
For Kingston, the runner-up choice for me is Redbones Blues Café. They do a lovely Lobster Pasta. I expect more of the same from Majestic and Whitebones so did not consider them. The Restaurants listed under Kingston should be revised for this Category.
The runner-up for Montego Bay is the new, Mystic Thai. I think they could do better with their menu based on what they are capable of offering though.
For Ocho Rios, I gave Evita’s Italian Restaurant the edge over Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove for those that haven’t visited Evita’s in years. Both have good service and food but Christopher’s has the better view if seated outside. So Christopher’s is known for delicious, authentic food with a seaside view but even though the menu for Evita’s seems more of the same, their Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine was one of my most memorable and favourite RW dishes to date. Whole Lobster in the shell tossed with Baby Shrimp and Lobster meat! The Salmon Risotto was lovely as well.
Evita’s RW 2014!
***For Reservations***
â— The Houseboat Grill
Location: Montego Freeport, St. James. Montego Bay
Ph: 876-979-8845
â— Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine
Location: Unit 1, 80 Lady Musgrave, Kingston 10
Ph: 876-927-9077; 876-927-9634
â— Evita’s Italian Restaurant
Location: Eden Bower Road. St. Ann. Ocho Rios
Ph: 876-974-1012;876-974-2333
◠Redbones Blues Café
Location: 1 Argyle Road. Kingston 10
Ph: 876-978-6091
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Where to Make Reservations for Epicurean for Restaurant Week Jamaica 2016!
TGIF! We have 1 week to go until Restaurant Week Jamaica (RW) starts next Friday, November 11 and runs through to Saturday, November 19th.
The Epicurean Category ($4310JMD excluding Bar, GCT, Service Charge) has been a drag with the same Restaurants every year so Suga is excited to make the new addition, L’Escargot in Ocho Rios the top pick overall for Epicurean this year.
L’Escargot has been on my ‘Places to Go’ list for some time and their menu looks inviting. Their signature Escargots sautéed in garlic butter, herbs and white wine is highly anticipated for the Appetizer. I am wondering how it will compare to the famous, award winning Toscanini Italian Restaurant that is also in Ocho Rios. There are choices of Smoked Blue Marlin or Sautéed Sea Scallops as well.
Lamb Chops, Fillet Mignon and Grilled Giant Prawns are the salivating Entrée choices.
Créme brulee, Créme caramel and Chocolate mousse are the choices for Dessert.
Do you have your passport Suga Bears? Ochi here I come!
For those who are doubling up or can’t make it to Ocho Rios for RW, my top pick for Kingston is Rojo Restaurant at the Spanish Court Hotel, which strives to give consistently great service and serve consistently good quality food compared to Terra Nova. Terra Nova usually lives up to their polished reputation for Restaurant Week but Rojo’s menu is Suga’s preferred choice.
Fling Back Friday (#fbf) to RW 2013 at Rojo Restaurant
Marguerites Seafood by the Sea, which was my choice last year, is my top pick this year for Montego Bay. The menus from Sugar Mill and Restaurant at Round Hill haven’t grabbed me. I love that Marguerites revised their RW menu. The Pepper Steak Moderne accompanied by a Caribbean risotto topped with oxtail ragout should be a treat. I was thoroughly impressed by my visit last year, which was perfection.
#fbf RW 2015 at Marguerites!
***For Reservations***
â— L’Escargot
Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios
Ph: 973-5652; 973-5589
â— Rojo Restaurant at The Spanish Court Hotel
Location: 1 St. Lucia Avenue. Kingston.
Ph: 926-0000
â— Marguerites Seafood By the Sea
Cloucester Avenue, Montego Bay
Ph: 952-4777
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
15th Street Fisheries in Florida by the Sea!
Suga visited 15th Street Fisheries in Florida over Heroes Weekend a few weeks ago.
I heard many good things about it and loved that they were by the water with a view, offering freshly grilled Fish. They have different menus for Upstairs and Downstairs, where Downstairs is more casual and Upstairs is Reservations only with a more tempting and pricey menu.
My reservation was for a group of 9 on October 15th, a Saturday night at 8:00pm. We were a bit late but they were ready for us nonetheless. We were greeted pleasantly and taken upstairs and seated by our table which was right by the window. Loved the view and activity of boats docking and leaving. The Restaurant was comfortable with rustic décor including old boats, anchors, bottles with chains, lanterns and more.
The menu had an insane variety of Seafood dishes to choose from for both Appetizers and Entrees. There were options such as Grilled New York Strip, Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef and Grilled Chicken Breast for the Meat lovers. A Wine menu was available as well.
The Appetizers came out a bit after 20 minutes, so could have been quicker. We weren’t blown away by the taste of the Appetizers. The Crab Cakes ($16USD) were decent. The Red Shrimp Cocktail ($16USD) had a homemade cocktail sauce that was a bit too tangy, overpowering the shrimp, fresh salsa and cucumber strings. Two of us that ordered the Soup Du Jour ($8USD), a Bahamian style Conch Chowder, were not too fond of it. To me it tasted like a thick Canned soup.
The Fisheries Salad ($10USD), however was the winner. It was a huge, tasty salad filled with Romaine lettuce, Wild Florida Rock Shrimp, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Sliced Almonds, Fresh Strawberries and Papaya Chutney Dressing.
Thankfully, the Entrees were a complete 180 in quality compared to the disappointing Appetizers.
I had the Dry Rubbed Mahi Mahi ($32USD) with crab fried rice, sautéed brocolini and brandy blackened cream sauce. The crab fried rice infused with the brandy blackened cream sauce excited my taste buds. My Mahi Mahi was well cooked and I enjoyed it.
Everyone else was happy with their Entrees as well. Some of which included Sautéed Red Shrimp ($34USD), Spiny Lobster Tail ($37USD) and Pan Roasted Black Grouper ($35USD). I have to highlight that the Pan Roasted Black Grouper was served with red and golden quinoa, wild mushroom, baby clam meat, white Vermont cheddar cheese, lobster sherry cream sauce and potato crisps. It was absolutely fantastic.
Entrée Servings were large, the Seafood was fresh, well cooked and the flavours were amazing.
At this point, everyone was quite full and content and had no capacity for Dessert. However, there is always one or 2 with a high metabolism like me with the desire to share a huge dessert.
Their Dessert menu, including Gluten free options was way too tempting. They had Dessert Martinis, Coffee Drinks and Ports/Dessert Wine listed in addition to Créme Brulee, Cheesecake, Sorbets, Brownies and more!
Of course when I saw Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding ($10USD) with White Chocolate Sauce, Anglaise, served with Vanilla Ice Cream and fresh berries, I could not refuse.
Voilà ! Ok it still wasn’t a Fromage Gourmet Bread Pudding but it was divine!
Our waiter needed to touch up on his housekeeping manners towards the end of dinner but we did not allow it to spoil our night and the Managers dealt with and appeased the situation accordingly.
The night may not have been perfect but we were full with delicious Entrees, great conversation and absolutely delicious dessert to top it off.
Suga would return for sure.
15th Street Fisheries
Location: 1900 SE 15th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA
Ph: 954-763-2777
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.