#tbt to Pink Apron Ja & House of Loaves’ Chicken and Waffles!
Pink Apron Ja joined House of Loaves’ Pop-Up Mobile Truck last week!
You’ve seen it in the movies but now it’s here in Jamaica, popping up more and more at different locations – Food Trucks!
Three weeks ago, Thursday Life in the Jamaica Observer checked in with some local chefs and caterers and compiled their thoughts for ‘Culinary trends for 2016’. Quite a lovely piece. If you missed it, check it out on www.jamaicaobserver.com.
Pink Apron Jamaica’s caterer, Charissa Henry’s thoughts about Mobile cuisine peaked my interest, as I thought that it’s about time! There has been an influx of mobile eateries or trucks but from what I have seen, mainly junk food and hardly anything gourmet.
Social media plays a big part in the success of these mobile eateries in Jamaica and it was tested and proven last week. I follow Pink Apron Jamaica on Instagram (@pinkapronja) and was excited to see that they were doing a pop-up shop with the increasingly popular, House of Loaves Mobile Truck on Garelli Avenue (beside NCB’s Atrium), quite a central location.
What was on the Menu for the advertised Tex Mex Taco Truck?
Suga’s Experience?
I love the concept and enjoyed my lunch. Change and Craving were satisfied at once. Packaging was neat, the truck looked clean and staff were pleasant. Good service.
The truck was open from 11:30am-3pm. My lunch was at 1:30pm, so I got there just in time at about 12 minutes to 2pm. There were persons already in line but not a lot. Upon joining the line you receive a ticket number, a pink ticket of course. I made my order when my number was called and within literally 2 minutes I received my Grilled Chicken Bowl. Persons behind me were not so lucky though. The Chicken was almost finished when I got mine and I heard the Pork Belly finished as well. Just Sausages and Elote were left close to 3pm.
However, I saw that they noted the time when items were running low and would more than likely make the necessary adjustments for the next pop-up shop.
I overheard someone saying that they would like to call in their order but I think if that was put in place, it would stray from the concept. Other than that, feedback was good in the streets. The masses enjoyed the Pork Belly and the different cheeses and spiced used for the Corn cob (Elote).
My Grilled Chicken Bowl was filling. The chicken was bland but there were a lot more flavours in the bowl to make up for that, for instance, I am a cilantro, lime and rice combo fan so I enjoyed that along with the added tomato salsa flavour.
Affordable drinks were also on sale, from about $75JMD and up.
Follow @pinkapronja on Instagram to find out when and where their next pop up lunch will be with @houseofloaves that caters to your cravings. I can’t wait!
Sushi anyone?
When last have you had your Sushi fix?
Remember you can keep it healthy if you visit Roe Japanese in Sovereign North and substitute your white rice for brown rice and have your food air fried instead of deep fried. You can also have the organic gluten-free soy sauce instead of the regular, unhealthy soy sauce. All substitutions for the low calorie, healthier versions come with a small additional cost of course.
Stick to fish, avoiding shell fish such as shrimp and lobster and avoid cream cheese.
Go for it!
Bahama Breeze in Duluth, Georgia – A franchise with great Food & Service
I visited Bahama Breeze in Duluth, Georgia a month ago and was happy to see that as a franchise ‘food joint’, the food was delicious, the service was quick, waiters were pleasant and the place was clean. Thanks to the Chef for cooking my steak to order, i.e. medium rare! Yum.
Other chains in Florida are known to do well too.
Keep it up Bahama Breeze!
Cafe Blue’s Chairman’s Egg Nog is back!
Available at all locations for a limited time from today throughout the holidays.
Enjoy at Sovereign Mall, Irish Town or NMIA in Kingston or Shoppes at Rose Hall or Fontana in Montego Bay!
Miss T’s Kitchen offering the best of Jamaican cuisine in Ocho Rios!
Anna-Kay Tomlinson, is known as Miss T and for her famous Oxtail from her restaurant in Ocho Rios.
It is really an oasis in the jungle of ‘Ochi’ town with quite a rough road to get there. But once you reach, you will know your adventure on the unknown path was worth it.
Miss T’s Kitchen was visited a couple weeks ago by my other half at about 2:30 in the afternoon for lunch during the week. He found his waiter, Glenroy quite welcoming, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. The environment was nice and the food came out in reasonable time.
Was it Oxtail? No. Sadly there was no Oxtail available at the time. He ordered Chickpea and Tomato soup and Curried Goat. The Curried Goat was apparently fantastic. He said it was the best ‘Curry Goat’ he has had for a while. So don’t just go there for Oxtail! He had natural Juneplum and Pineapple juice with his meal and appreciated the freshly made, delicious food and good service.
The bill was $1650JMD including a 10% service charge. Definitely value for money. Big up Miss T’s for keeping our Jamaican cuisine alive in tourist town!
Miss T’s Kitchen
Location: 65 Main St., Ocho Rios
Gabby’s journey to Marguerites during RW was phenomenal!
After a 3-hour drive from Kingston on Sunday, November 15th, I arrived at Marguerites Seafood by the Sea, Montego Bay on time for my reservation at 8pm. Of course, I arrived not only hungry but with high expectations. Let me tell you from now that these high expectations were met!
My other half and I ordered by 8:05pm. The staff from the entrance to being seated were all very pleasant and professional. The ambience was lovely overlooking the sea where I sat on the balcony and the decor modern and decent. Sitting by the garden would have been nice as well.
Shelly Ann was our Maître d’ for the night. She worked hard to ensure everything was alright and checked in with our table now and then, but not to the point of being overwhelming. I noticed that the General Manager visited the table next to us as well, welcoming them and ensuring everything was satisfactory. I find that proper supervision and interaction with guests are very necessary when a restaurant wishes to provide and sustain a high level of service.
Appetizers were out within 10 minutes and the other dishes followed like clockwork. Our glasses were refilled with water when needed and our waiter, Ricardo offered us the Robert Mondavi wines that were on special for RW. We had the Zinfandel and Sauvignon blanc.
All of the dishes were delicious. Presentation was salivating and serving sizes were appropriate. For instance, I was a bit worried about where I was going to fit dessert, but thankfully I was not tempted too much and the Bread pudding and Cheesecake were small and compact, just the right size to fit in the space available in my tummy without feeling uncomfortable.
The Appetizers were excellent. The Jerked Chicken Breast was well seasoned and minced up for the Beggars Purse and the Shrimp Trucillio had a lovely flavour. A delicious Caribbean Spiny Lobster Salad followed as a bonus with fresh veggies and a tasty vinaigrette. Then all of a sudden, our attention was called by one of the waiters to see a Stingray in the ocean. Hardly a dull moment at Marguerites!
When the Entrées arrived, I was even more impressed and instantly ready to ‘Dig In’! My gosh, the Lobster Flambè with black truffle risotto looked divine! Then as I was looking at the dish all mesmerized, Cecil the Executive Chef visited the table, greeted us pleasantly and told me that he was adding his sauce consisting of Rum beurre blanc and more, as well as edible sprouts. I could hardly find the words to describe the lobster. Juicy lobster accompanied by an absolutely delicious sauce and risotto. My other half had the Flambé Steak complemented by oxtail ragout. Perfection. Cooked exact to order, medium rare.
It was hard to leave. An extremely refreshing experience to have all-round excellent service and food. Epicurean to the core. It was definitely worth the drive and I cannot wait to return.
Marguerites Seafood by the Sea
Location: Gloucester Ave. (The Hip Strip), Montego Bay
Ph: 876-952-4777
How was Restaurant Week Jamaica?!
Restaurants in the 3 cities were certainly buzzing with diners throughout Restaurant Week (RW) that was held November 13 – 21. Persons were excited to ‘Dig in’, the slogan used for this year’s RW.
Suga was happy to report that all, if not, most of her recommendations were excellent choices based on feedback from Suga bears a.k.a. Suga Lifestyle readers and friends.
Just to highlight a few,
One Love Cafe at Bob Marley’s Museum and Susie’s Bakery & Coffee Bar really satisfied diners for the Nyam and Scram category.
For the Tasty Category, the UTECH students from Lillian’s Restaurant who seemed to put a lot of effort into their menu, offering unique dishes at a low cost showed that there is a bright future ahead for Jamaica in the Culinary industry.
Lillian’s was delightful. They had a pleasant and attentive waitress, yet not overbearing, as well as helpful staff. Decor was simple yet appropriate and clean, with soft classical music. The Jerked Chicken Chowder and Salt Fish Tostones they served as Appetizers had lovely flavours and the Salad was fresh with a decent serving. Their Main course was enjoyed by all at the table. Generous servings as well. Their Peppercorn Crusted Beef was cooked exactly as ordered, the Cinnamon Braised Pineapple Pork was succulent and not overdone, the Seared Trout and Creamy Chicken Sauté dishes were tasty. Desserts were also very good. Their Rum and Raisin cake, Passion Trifle and Chocolate and Banana Bread Pudding were yummy. Well done Lillian’s!
Sea Deck had nice, big, tasty servings as usual with decent service.
C & C South Beach Restaurant in the Savoury category got two thumbs up. Their service, food and atmosphere were impressive. Kudos to them for a 10 minute waiting time during RW!
Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove, Ocho Rios was a winner for the Delectable category. No surprise there. Props to Executive Chef Conroy Arnold for sustaining a high standard of food quality and service. The ambience there is just an added plus.
Then of course, with a full review coming soon, Marguerites Seafood by the Sea in Montego Bay took the Epicurean category hands down. Excellent ambience, service and food topped off by a premium selection of wines.
Well done Restaurants, looking forward to next year!