For everyone who has been craving Lobster since the season was closed on April 1, Lobster season is back!
ENJOY!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Dishes from Exec. Chef Mario González at the Iberostar Chef on Tour Series
Last weekend’s Iberostar Chef on Tour in Rose Hall, Montego Bay featured its very own Executive Chef Mario González. Chef González is known as a culinary artist and his dishes reflected just that.
The Star Dish of the night for Suga Bear, Tina Davis from Montego Bay, was the Mango Ravioli, Salmon tartar, Tamarind reduction and Himalayan salt.
The Red Snapper with beurre blanc sauce and Mexican white mole looked divine as well.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Discounts for All June Bugs at Chocolate Dreams!
Chocolate Dreams is treating every June baby!
Join Gabby from Suga Lifestyle and stop by their Devon House or Loshusan locations for yummy treats to celebrate your special day!
***Provide your ID to prove you are a Junite and get 15% off!
***Call 876-906-1173 for Special Orders
Have a Fabulous Birthday Month! Junites rule!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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A Restaurant you can Dress Up and Go To in the Capital of Casual, Negril!
On the last Saturday night of April, Bongos Restaurant saved the day for me and my husband’s Anniversary Dinner after a mix up with Reservations at another Restaurant in Negril.
Bongos is located at the modernly refurbished, Sandy Haven Resort on the popular Negril Strip.
We were relieved to still have somewhere elegant to dine. There was a choice between indoor dining and outdoor dining on the terrace. We decided to stay indoors, where the lights were turned down low, but a bit too low. The ambience was not affected too much though. Seating was comfortable and the décor was unique. There was a Bar and Lounge area indoors as well.
The members of staff were courteous and knowledgeable of the items on the menu.
The menu had a wide range of items that represented a fusion of European, Asian, African and of course, Caribbean cuisines. Prices listed in US were subject to 10% tax and 10% gratuity.
Appetizers, Soups and Salads ranged from $7-$10US.
I had the tasty Jerk Shrimp Brochette ($8.50US) and my husband had the Crab and Corn Chowder ($8US), which had a rich flavour. My Brochette could have done without the lettuce on top though.
For Entrées, there were Vegetarian and Vegan options such as Vegetarian Paella, Mixed Bean Stew, Vegetable Linguini and more ranging from $12-$30US.
Other options included Fish any way you like it ranging from $17-$23US depending on size, Curried Coconut Lemon Shrimp ($18US), Asian Stir Fry Beef Sirloin ($17US), Jerk Chicken Pasta ($16.50US), Cuban Pork & Bean ($20USD), Bongo’s Seafood Paella ($19US single/$35US double) and more.
It wasn’t Lobster season but I had a craving for any type of Surf and Turf, which wasn’t on their menu. The waiter and the Chef collaborated to make me happy and offered me the Filet Mignon with large Shrimp Skewers.
My husband ordered the Filet Mignon on its own.
Although the wait was extremely long, we had a year of marriage to reminisce on as well as exciting thoughts for our future and the wait was worthwhile when the food arrived.
Our cuts of Beef came medium rare, as requested. So we were pleased with the tenderness and succulent juices and flavours emerging from the Beef.
We were too full for Dessert but we enjoyed a few drinks from the Bar. I have had better Mojitos but the blended drinks were on point.
I recommend Bongos Restaurant for a decent place to dine in Negril if you are not famished or in a rush. The wait may be long but you have the leisure of having a good chit chat over a few drinks in a lovely ambience until delectable food arrives.
Bongos Restaurant @ Sandy Haven Resort
Location: Norman Manley Boulevard. Negril, Jamaica
Ph: 886-957-3200
Opening Hr: 6pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Lunch on the Seaside in Hopewell, Hanover
Sunday before last, I visited Smoked Marlin Restaurant in Hopewell, Hanover for lunch with my husband.
Apart from our traditional Sweet Potato Pudding stop in Priory, St. Ann, Smoked Marlin was our last stop after a relaxed, food-filled weekend in Negril before heading back to Kingston.
Our waitress was pleasant but could have been more attentive. The wait for food including the Appetizer of Fish soup was too long. The diners that ordered just after us complained as well.
The food was tasty but did not blow us away. Servings were sizeable and made up for the delay. We had a little space left for Dessert, but they did not have all the items listed on the menu including the Tropical Crêpe that I desired.
I thought it would be a more impressive visit, but it was still a delightful experience with a picturesque seaside view to up the ante.
Date of visit: 30/4/17
Time: 3:45pm
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★☆☆
Speed: ★★☆☆☆
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★★☆
Smoked Marlin Restaurant
Location: Main Street. Hopewell, Hanover
Ph: 876-609-4181
Opening Hours: 12pm-9pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Sensational Brunch by Simo’s Bread and Catering and Miel & Meel
It was an absolute pleasure to travel from Kingston to witness Christina in her element at one of her family homes by Springfarm, Montego Bay along with her friend from Culinary school, Inemari Rabie of Miel & Meel. Inemari was based in South Africa and is now in France.
The presentation of their salivating spread of Pastries and other delights was so artistic that a few guests said the table was too beautiful to start eating what was on it.
They were on their own though. I enjoyed everything but highlights for me were the Apple Crumble, Roast Beef Salad with Simo’s Horseradish vinaigrette, Onion Tarte Tatin with blue cheese, Vanilla Crème Brûlée and of course the Mini Cronut topped with delicious rose and pistachio icing. It sounds like a lot already, but there was so much more.
Check out if there is space to reserve your spot for Dinner when they come to Kingston on May 19th!Â
Information for Dinner for Friday, May 19th:
Christina M.B. Simonitsch
Location: Montego Bay
Email: [email protected]
Catering, Cooking Lessons & Staff Training
__________
Inemari Rabie
Blog: www.miel-meel.com
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Oxtail Ragu from Smoked Marlin Restaurant, Hanover!
Review of Suga’s visit coming soon. Stay tuned!
Smoked Marlin Restaurant
Location: Main Street. Hopewell, Hanover
Ph: 876-609-4181
Opening Hours: 12pm-9pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Oreo Cheesecake from Nirvanna Indian Cuisine!
Check out what Suga had for Dessert at Nirvanna last weekend! Delish.
Have a Happy and Holy Easter Everyone!
Special shout out to Renegade Expressions for liking and reading Suga Lifestyle’s posts daily! Appreciate it.
Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine
***Reservations recommended***
Location: 1A 80 Lady Musgrave Rd. Kgn. 10
Ph:Â 876-927-9077
Facebook (Menu posted): Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine
Instagram: nirvannaindianja
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Simo’s Bread & Catering Leaves you Fully Satisfied with a Smile on your Face
For some time now, my cousin in Montego Bay told my husband about a young lady that makes extremely delicious Pastries and handcrafted Breads.
The young lady she spoke of is Christina Simonitsch. With this kind of recommendation, we both followed her on Instagram immediately. Her Instagram page, @simosbreadandcatering is quite mouth-watering. You can see the joy and passion she has for cooking and baking, leaving you with no choice but to want to be a part of it.
The name, Simonitsch is quite known not only in Montego Bay, but islandwide and worldwide. Christina is what we Jamaican folks would like to call ‘good stock’. Her father is Heinz Simonitsch, the Austrian hotelier that arrived on the island to run Half Moon in 1963. Under his stewardship, Halfmoon became one of the most successful privately-owned beach resorts in the world. He retired in 2002 and has been recognized by being awarded with the Honorary Order of Distinction for his lifetime contribution to Tourism in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
With his retirement, I am happy to see his name live on in the Culinary industry of Jamaica via his eldest daughter Christina. Christina grew up in the kitchen and it seems as if the passion for what she does is in her DNA. She knew what her career would be from very early and also learnt from her Aunt and Grandmother in Austria.
After catering for mostly friends and family at small gatherings, the choice was easy for her to stay and work in Jamaica instead of returning to Europe. Word spread so fast, her hands were full.
Christina not only does specialty Breads and Pastries, but has Gourmet selections and her private label Condiment line of Pepper sauces, Sea salt, Pepper Jelly, Basil Pesto, Marinades and more. She is based in Montego Bay, so occasionally, she announces when she will be coming into Kingston and posts her list with prices. She usually comes in on a Thursday, where pick ups can be made at Shams Bakery in The Marketplace between 11am-2pm.
I ordered her Basil Pesto the 2nd to last time she came into Kingston because I was too late to order the Cinnamon Buns I have been dying to taste.
I made a fabulous Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Shrimp. That Basil Pesto is definitely #sugaendorsed.
She came back to Kingston last week Thursday. I made sure my order of Cinnamon Buns and a Cronut was in early this time, especially since there was an occasion to celebrate. My father-in-law got treated with Cinnamon Buns for his birthday and we all enjoyed it. I love that the icing comes separately in a bag if you are watching your calories.
After trying Simo’s Bread & Catering’s pastries, watching calories goes out the window. That Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting I thought I was just going to have a smear of, was a delightful topping for the scrumptious Cinnamon Buns.
I sat down in my living room about to have my Cronut thinking to myself, why did I just spend almost a $1000JMD on a cross between a Croissant and a Doughnut? Say no more. I took one bite and it was heavenly. The perfect mix of moist and crispy with a touch of flavoured cream on the inside and a hint of icing on top. A bite turned into quicker bites, then a swallow and I had to stop myself. I knew I needed to savour it. So I decided to distract myself by messaging my husband who missed the opportunity of being home for this pleasurable experience. I told him there is no way I could save a piece for him. Then just like that it was finished. Instead of feeling guilty for indulging in this pastry, I just sat there with a smile on my face like a real pleased puss. It was totally worth it. Well, maybe $500 plus the delivery to Kingston. Regardless, I would order that Cronut again in a heartbeat.
When is Simo’s Bread and Catering’s next trip to Kingston? Â I have good news. I am not sure when you can make Orders for Pick ups but Christina will be Co-hosting a gathering soon on May 19 at Kayter Restaurant on Ballater Avenue. It should be a gastronomic experience. Make your Reservations!
Christina M.B. Simonitsch
Location: Montego Bay
Email: [email protected]
Catering, Cooking Lessons & Staff Training
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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TGIF from Seven Stars Resort in Turks & Caicos!
Check out this Eton Mess Dessert from Seven Stars Resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands!
Eton Mess is an English Dessert that is a mixture of strawberries, broken meringue and whipped cream.
Have a great weekend!
Seven Stars Resort & Spa
Location: Grace Bay Beach. Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
Website: www.sevenstarsgracebay.com/m/
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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