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Lunch for $550JMD from The Oasis on the Oxford

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Lunch from The Oasis on the Oxford was as good as it looked yesterday. Fish fillet with veggies and boiled yam, banana and plantain, all for $550JMD.

Oasis on the Oxford is not consistent with good quality and service but gamble and catch them on a good day and it is a win. A reasonable, tasty lunch is often hard to find during the average work day, especially when looking for a little variety sometimes. Oasis on the Oxford has Jamaican cuisine and lunches range from $440-$650JMD. They also have natural juices for $250JMD. Buffet is on a Friday for $750JMD. The ambience is off key but you can sit down with actual plates, cloth napkins and utensils, no plastic and have a good, filling meal.

Location: 11 Oxford Road, St. Andrew. Kingston 5.

Ph.: 876-908-3960

1 week down… 2 to go! and Beyonce is a vegan traitor

by Health & FitnessRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

More from ‘canrachelbeflawless’. See how Beyonce lied and follow the last few days of Rachel’s journey. Kudos to New Leaf Vegetarian for delicious Vegan dishes. Check out their website, www.newleafvegetarian.com. They are located at 121 Old Hope Road, Shop #6, Kingston 6. Ph: 876-977-2358/ 876-977-5243; [email protected] (email)

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The Chocolate Man from Mount Pleasant Farm has competition with UMIUM Coconut Chocolate Spread!

by Health & FitnessRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Remember Coffee and Cocoa farmer, Averell French? His Chocolate Spread, Dark and Milk chocolate bars won Best New Food Item at the Table Talk Observer Food Awards last year as Mr. French wowed the judges, including yours truly, with Dark chocolate, White chocolate and paired the Chocolate spread with bread and fruits such as grapes, paw paw and melon. The products including the spread have a long shelf life, so they were a nominee for Best Producer as well. Suga still thinks the Chocolate spread puts Nutella to shame and is absolutely addictive!

However, there is a new product on the market, UMIUM Coconut Chocolate Spread! June Gottgens, Mogul in the Making Nominee for the Table Talk Observer Food Awards this year, has been striving to boost Jamaica’s economy, in particular, our coconut and cocoa industries. Under the brand UMIUM, Gottgens’ Coconut Chocolate Spread is available in about 30 supermarkets across the island. Just last weekend, samples were being given out in Sovereign supermarket. The taste? It ain’t no Nutella or Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers Chocolate spread, but it is good. It is tasty AND nutritious. Great nutrition facts compared to Nutella that is filled with refined sugar. Can’t speak too much to the nutrition facts of Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers Chocolate spread because I don’t know of any advertised nutrition label, but they market their product as being made with 100% dark chocolate using whole beans full of antioxidants, nutrients and flavour. So it seems to be more nutritious than Nutella as well. However, UMIUM is low in Saturated fat, has 0 Cholesterol and most importantly, is low in sugar. It even has a bit of fiber.

So, check it out! UMIUM can be found in the Hi-Lo Supermarket chain and most of the Progressive Grocers and may go international in 2016! Support Brand Jamaica.

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Chef Gibney’s Vegan Cooking Trial was a success!

by FoodpornHealth & FitnessRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

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So after Beyonce told the world she had a HUGE announcement with persons taking time off from work to hear this announcement, it was only ‘I am turning Vegan’. A friend of mine, Rachel decided to try this with her husband, James, which turned into a 30-day challenge. Because, really, that’s her big announcement? Hilarious. Of course it is never easy to back down from a challenge from James, with it being posted all over Facebook and all. So Rachel started her 30-day Vegan challenge and quite an entertaining blog to follow her experience, ‘canrachelbeflawless’.

Having her husband James, who is a Chef, has made things even easier. Last Saturday night, after he got out of the ‘dog house’ for a certain Spiderman stunt, he pulled off a wholesome, delicious, All-Vegan dinner. Friends, bubbly and all-healthy food! After such a feast, it was real satisfying to think that all I ate was completely healthy, leaving room for all the liquor consumed I suppose.

The highlight of the menu was the Chickpea patty starter served on a bed of guacamole made with fresh avocado, served with fresh greens and sweet and spicy salsa including a touch of mango. The spicy Chilli Mixed Bean stew including cilantro was also a winner served for the main course along with roasted veggies, roasted sweet potatoes and brown vegetable rice.

To top it all off, a vegan Chocolate cake was served and Rachel actually got her hands dirty in the kitchen, making decadent Macaroons served with her freshly made banana-raspberry (more raspberry :)) sorbet.

Be sure to follow the last few days of Rachel’s Vegan journey on wordpress, ‘canrachelbeflawless’ which I will reblog for some information and laughs at the same time. Also visit Wholesome Cafe (Past Table Talk Observer Food Awards Nominee) in the Digicel building in Downtown, Kingston for delicious and reasonable lunches prepared by Chef James Gibney. Suga admires that he loves to prepare dishes with fresh and local produce and his food is totally Suga approved.

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Toscanini for ‘fancy-schmancy’ Dinner in Ocho Rios!

by Chefs, Bakers and CaterersFoodpornRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Suga visited Toscanini in Tower Isle, St. Mary last week Saturday as part of her 30th Birthday festivities. Toscanini may not be obvious to find on the road at night, however it is at Harmony Hall. Toscanini is THE best, authentic Italian restaurant on the island. It has had famous visitors such as the Rolling Stones, Past American President Bill Clinton and more.

The staff is pleasant and the service is excellent and on point. How so? The wait staff is quite knowledgeable of the menu that is written in mostly Italian and are aware of possible substitutions that can be made based on what may or may not be available in the kitchen. They have the ability to make suitable suggestions and remain calm and courteous while doing so. They are quite attentive as well. A glass of water never goes empty.

Suga and her beau started with a tasty Marinated Marlin and flaming, hot Escargois a la Bourguignon. The Marinated Marlin was accompanied by a fresh garden salad. Toscanini sources most of their greens from their very own garden, get fresh fish from the fishermen on the beach across the road and fresh meats from the local butcher.

Rabbit Ragu and Coniglio Alla Lino (Rabbit with steamed vegetables and roasted potatoes) followed for the main course, which were delicious and so filling, they left no room for dessert. However, this was not Suga’s first visit so, the Chocolate Profiteroles is fully endorsed for dessert.

Owner and Chef, Pierluigi Ricci came out and greeted all guests and asked how we found the food. No complaints here, that’s for sure.

There is also a well stocked bar to order drinks from. Prices range from affordable to expensive, depending on whether you are ordering Chicken or Duck of course. Everything on the menu is good though and worth every dollar. Ambience is great, whether day or night with picturesque gardens and the sea nearby. Parking is adequate and if you want to ‘shampoo’ and hit the streets or go for a road trip for lunch or dinner, Toscanini is the place. However, always call before and make reservations or let them know you are on your way.

For your photo ops, do not hesitate to ask for Omar 😉

Ph: (876) 975-4785

Opening hours: 12:00pm – 2:00pm; 6:30pm – 10:00pm

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Suga Enjoyed her Birthday Cake from Sweet Mischief!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Throwback Tuesday to this cake from Sweet Mischief! Givin’ Suga some suga 🙂 They are right, it is not just cake, it’s art! San Antonio Spurs Logo on point. Very tastefully done. The chocolate balls around the cake were divine. The cake? You know, most well decorated cakes are dry on the inside, but not this one. It had a nice, moist, rich chocolate flavour. Well done and surely Suga approved!

Sweet Mischief info:

Yvette: 876-442-1319; Allison: 876-363-4442; Natasha: 876-481-9904

[email protected]; facebook.com/sweetmischiefja; Instagram@sweetmischiefja; Twitter@sweetmischiefja

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The Jamaica Pegasus kept up high standards for the WICB/WIPA 3rd Annual Players’ Award Function

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsSportsWhat's Hot

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The WICB/WIPA 3rd Annual Player’s Award function was held last Tuesday, June 9th in the Ball Room of The Jamaica Pegasus with Cocktails at 6pm, Dinner and Ceremony at 7pm. Which function starts on time in Jamaica?! This one started before time! Kudos to the organizers and MC Michael Hall for keeping it flowing. He did his best seeing that there were no menus or programmes given to guests.

Special guests included Lady Allen, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr. Wykeham McNeil, Sirs Richie Richardson, Curtly Ambrose, Andy Roberts, Everton Weekes and Clive Lloyd. Ambassador Courtney Walsh and WI Coach, Phil Simmons were also in attendance, along with members of the Australian team here for the test this weekend versus the West Indies.

Dinner started with a nice, creamy Pumpkin soup with Jerk Chicken spinners! Interesting right? Then came a fancy, well presented raw Vegetable salad followed by a lovely main course. I can officially say The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel is no longer one of those hotels that you go to for a wedding, graduation or awards ceremony etc. and you get mediocre food including cliché stuffed Chicken Breast that may be overcooked and dry. Instead, I got a meagre serving of Lamb chops BUT a healthy serving of Snapper and Yam Run Down. Everything on the plate was flavourful and delicious with wine to complement it all. A small piece of tasty Cheesecake with Chocolate on the side, completed dinner.

Since guests were served on time and each course was in quick succession after the other, we were allowed to enjoy greetings by the Presidents of the WICB and WIPA, Dave Cameron and Wavell Hinds respectively topped off by a fabulous speech by Guest Speaker, past WI fast bowler, politician and minister of the church, Sir Wesley Hall in the mean time. His eloquence, use of vocabulary and ability to captivate the audience’s attention was sensational. He went over his time I am sure, but with his stories, humour and words of inspiration and encouragement to current cricketers, it was a pleasure to listen for more. He reminded players that talent alone doesn’t earn success, but work ethic and discipline as well. There is also no ‘I’ in team, the team wins and players contribute. Wise words by Wes. I surely hope the young and upcoming cricketers walked away from the function with a totally new, fresh, positive outlook. I surely would.

The West Indies Women’s Cricket team were congratulated for winning the ODI series, 3-1 on their Sri Lanka tour as well as the T20I series, 2-1 earlier in May this year. Good job ladies!

The event was aired live on Sportsmax and another channel. IGL, ICWI, Grace Kennedy and other sponsors were thanked for their support. It was a pity that a lot of invited or expected guests did not show, leaving many empty seats, as the event provided a pleasant reminder of the West Indies and quality players in its hay-day and highlighted current and upcoming talent. The Ashe Performing Arts Ensemble gave a vibrant, refreshing performance to close the night. As this event is young, Suga expects even better next year.

Some winners of the night were as follows:

Under 19 Team of the Year – Guyana

Under 19 Player of the Year – Shimron Hetmyer

First class Team of the Year – Barbados

1-Day Cricketer of the Year – Denesh Ramdin

Test Cricketer of the Year – Kraigg Brathwaite

T20 Cricketer of the Year – Samuel Badree

Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Jermaine Blackwood

Womens’ Cricketer of the Year – Stafanie Taylor

Men’s Cricketer of the Year – Sulieman Benn

Lifetime Achivement Award (WICB) – Chetram Singh

Lifetime Achivement Award (WIPA) – Renford Pinnock

Rally round the West Indies!

 By: Gabrielle Williams