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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

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Red Lobster gone totally Ghetto in ATL!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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In real life! Braiding cornrows in a restaurant, really? Low. I kid you not, there is an instavideo for proof. I was told the Red Lobster chain was deteriorating to a very low standard, that is, ‘bring a side chick to’ or ‘carry a girl to Burger King for a date’ kind of standard. I did not believe. But this has to be a breach to the Health code. Shame on them for not escorting them out immediately.

Curried goat with plain rice, boiled banana and raw vegetables

M10 in Barbican for Jamaican Lunch !

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Curried goat with plain rice, boiled banana and raw vegetables

Suga visited the Barbican location of M10 (across the road from Sovereign North) last Saturday at 1:15pm. Their delicious Roast fish was desired but was not on the menu for the day. I got Curried Chicken instead for $500JMD. My friends had Oxtail and Curried Goat. Nothing was over $900JMD to my recollection. All were tasty, however, since it is a lunch-only spot, they immediately wrote on styrofoam boxes when taking our orders instead of asking if we were dining. So we all had to eat out of boxes because it was too late for the change. I also asked for half boiled banana, half rice and got one finger of banana with loads of rice, as most restaurants tend to do during the week for lunch. Nevertheless, the setting was quite comfortable on a semi-open terrace. Since it is summer tho, they may want to invest in two fans. There was also sufficient parking around the back.

The place was buzzing with people and service time was reasonable, especially if you are used to the long wait at their Vineyard town location. So if ever in the need for quick, authentic Jamaican food, M10 Barbican is the spot!

Contact info.: 876.462.1415/930-2112 *(Vineyard town location numbers, as none seen listed for Barbican)

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Where is your Chocolate Cake Spot?

by Foodporn

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When last have you had a good, moist, delicious slice of Chocolate cake? Suga hasn’t had one in a while. I think it is hard to find nowadays since everyone seems to be trying to perfect Cheesecake in every flavour, shape and form. However, word has it that Table Talk Observer Food Awards winner for Outstanding Baker 2014, Sweet Moments by Nadene Lazarus has a decadent Chocolate cake on Fridays by Countryside. The revamped Countryside club is located at 7 Courtney Walsh Drive.

Feel free to share your favourite spot for Chocolate cake in Ja!