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.

Seafood Sumiso

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***

● Fromage Gourmet Bistro

Location: 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston

Ph: 876-622-9856; 876-927-7062

● The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach

Location: 2 Brompton Rd., Kingston 5

Ph: 876-630-4571; 876-630-4163

● Pelican Grill

Location: Gloucester Avenue Strip, Montego Bay

Ph: 876-952-3171

● Caffe da Vinci (Ocho Rios)

Location: 7/13 Turtle River Road. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-630-7025

● Great Escape Restaurant, Runaway Bay Golf Club

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-973-4239

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Donald Trump is the President Elect of the United States! How come?!

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Photo: The Sun

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
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It’s Finally D-Day for Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and the Rest of the World!

Photo: www.uselectionday2016.com

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
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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!

Chicken with Spinach, Chicken with Fenugreek and a RW 2016 Menu item, Tikka Masala

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!

Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine

***For Reservations***

● The Houseboat Grill

Location: Montego Freeport, St. James. Montego Bay

Ph: 876-979-8845

● Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

Location: Unit 1, 80 Lady Musgrave, Kingston 10

Ph: 876-927-9077; 876-927-9634

● 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
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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***

● L’Escargot

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 973-5652; 973-5589

● Rojo Restaurant at The Spanish Court Hotel

Location: 1 St. Lucia Avenue. Kingston.

Ph: 926-0000

● Marguerites Seafood By the Sea

Cloucester Avenue, Montego Bay

Ph: 952-4777

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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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. 

Fisheries Salad

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.

Dry Rubbed Mahi Mahi

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!

Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding

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
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Suga’s 5 Nyam & Scram Picks

Get ready to get your Lunch in Kingston in a quick and reasonable fashion during Restaurant Week (RW) Jamaica 2016 from Friday, November 11 to Saturday, November 19.

Suga’s 5 picks for the Nyam & Scram Category are:

Photo for Cannonball Cafe: www.go-jamaica.com/rw/

● Cannonball Cafe located in Manor Park, Sovereign North, Loshusan-Barbican and the 3M Building-New Kingston

Decent RW Combos of Soups, Wraps/Salads/Paninis with a side and Coffee

Prices range from $896 – $1211.

● Devon House Cafe in Devon House

Offering reasonable RW Combos similar to Cannonball including Waffles with Eggs and Chicken Pastrami/Wraps/Paninis with Salad/Chips and Smoothies/Shakes/Coffee

Photo for Devon House Cafe: www.go-jamaica.com/rw/

Prices range from $630-$957.

● Nirvanna (Indian Fusion Cuisine) on 80 Lady Musgrave Avenue have RW Combos ranging from $1100-$1300 including Fusion dishes.

● The Brick Oven on Hope Road beside TGIF will be offering $600 RW Combos including a Chicken Wrap, Fish Sandwich and Vegetarian Patty, Soup/Soda and a Dessert option.

● Triple T’z Eatery on Annette Crescent will be having RW Combos for less than $1000. There will be a Lobster and Fish Combo + sides with Vegetable soup and a Chicken and Curried Goat Combo with Vegetable soup.

***Remember prices are per person and do not include G.C.T, Beverages or Service tax unless otherwise stated in RW Combo.

Information and Menus available on:

www.go-jamaica.com/rw/

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Restaurant Week Jamaica 2016 is almost here!

Jamaica Food and Drink Festival has come and gone. Brunch at The Gallery was quite memorable for patrons yesterday. Now on to the next!

Lobster Flambé at Restaurant Week Jamaica 2015 from Marguerites, Montego Bay

Restaurant Week Jamaica starts Friday, November 11 and ends Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Here are your categories. Suga’s picks coming soon!

Source: go-jamaica.com/rw/

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Thanks for Supporting GW Art at The Hub Coworking TSO Pop-up Shop!

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Gabby from Suga Lifestyle would like to thank everyone who supported, spread the word and expressed admiration for GW Art’s booth at The Hub Coworking’s TSO Pop-Up Shop yesterday.

It was lovely to see persons having a hard choice deciding which piece or pieces they liked more in order to buy. Persons’ taste in Art vary on a wide scale. GW Art ensured there was something for everyone with a mix of Abstract, Graphic, Modern and Jamaican Art.

The New Collection of Table/Desktop pieces (acrylic on canvas) suitable for Home and Office decor were up for grabs and have been added to the GW Art Gallery on the right toolbar of www.sugalifestyle.com. They are great for persons that may not have space for big pieces and for persons that just would like something reasonable and unique for themselves or for gifts.

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Kareem Tomlinson was the first to cop his modern Table/Desktop piece from the New GW Art Collection

GW Art has also ventured into Craft items since early 2016, such as Decorative bottles, jars and other items.

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Janielle Johnson enjoyed getting her Decorative bottles that went well together as a pair.  The crafty additions to the bottles were included.

GW Art also does commissioned pieces for persons who have difficulty getting their hands on what they desire for their decor.

Brighten your spirit and surroundings with GW Art!

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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GW Art at TSO Pop-Up Shop happening NOW!

​Come on out and see my new GW Art Collection at The Hub Coworking’s TSO Pop-Up Shop from 6:30pm-12am happening NOW!

It’s at the New Grey and Red Professional Suites on the corner at 34 Lady Musgrave Road. Unit #18.

Desktop/Tabletops and Decorative Items are on SALE. They are awesome ideas for Gifts as well! 

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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