The Melting Pot at Knutsford Court Hotel Fails for RW Nyam & Scram

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

The Melting Pot Restaurant & Lounge are in two categories this year, Savoury and Nyam & Scram. Their Savoury menu was impressive, however SuGa readers chose the latter option and had to wait a while before they could nyam. Taking more than half an hour to get food in practically an empty restaurant, they were not pleased.

Portion size was the expected small but tasty for the Italia trio (Jerk Chicken pasta sampler, Tomato and Feta cheese in a puffy parcel, mini Tiramisu Cheesecake) and the Chicken and Pork didn’t taste jerked for the Jerk Platter Mix.

Then oh Lord, the Spicy Jerk soup was too spicy. Feedback was that it tasted like they added water to a Jerk sauce.

Get it together Melting Pot.

Spicy Doubles should Cut their Prices in Half for Nyam and Scram

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Spicy Doubles, is set up in a tuck shop situated in Irvin Hall at UWI, Mona. They clearly were not ready for the rush of Restaurant Week and SuGa readers with their meagre servings, counting food items and all, like shrimp in a ‘Chiny’ shop. The food was good but not worth the price.

 

Gimbilyn at Alhambra Inn Meets Expectations for RW and is Booked Out!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

SuGa Readers have been dining up a storm and found that Gimbilyn was fully equipped with staff to tackle Restaurant week with very little wait time and a floor supervisor overseeing the area and checking on waiters as it should be.

Staff was pleasant and even the Chef came out to address diners regardless of the pressures in the kitchen. Commendable that he had things under control to escape the heat a little.

Staff was also well-trained in offering suggestions from the menu and selection of wines.

Reviews came in that the Shrimp salad was tasty but had a small serving in comparison to the Pepper Pot soup. However, if you ordered a Shrimp salad followed by Grilled Pork chops, they were sure to make up for it, as they were thick portions.

The Tucker Chicken Florentine with layers of creamed callaloo, cheese and tender Chicken breast topped with panko bread crumbs and parmesan cheese looked and tasted delicious. The Grilled Salmon with Tamarind and Ginger Glaze was good and their signature Bread pudding was divine.

Kudos to Gimbilyn!

Asia’s Café: ‘Dem Pasta neida Dry nor Wet’ says a diner

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

A few weeks ago at about 8:30pm, I finally visited Asia’s Café, found in the middle of York Pharmacy on Half Way Tree Road. The restaurant will be opened for a year this December 15th. The news spread fast upon their opening since they are open 24/7 and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner options, sandwiches, salads and various pastries and beverages. It’s also convenient for patients visiting the pharmacy and nearby 24/7 doctor’s offices. The seating area is small so it’s usually order-to go.

For such a small establishment, I noticed a huge menu with affordable items. There were Breakfast items such as Eggs etc., Soups, Salads for $600JMD, OMG Burger for $550JMD, dishes such as Shrimp/Jerk Chicken Pasta and Chicken Lasagna ranging from $700-800JMD, standard Box lunch dishes such as Fried and Roasted Chicken, side orders such as Garlic bread, Potato wedges and Potato salad ranging from $70-$220JMD. They also offer both hot and cold Beverages, as well as Milk Shakes with different flavours for $450JMD. There is a good variety of pastry for $250JMD each including Brownies, Muffins, Banana Breads, Cookies, Cakes, Bread Puddings, you name it. Everything seemed more than reasonable except for some regular Chicken and Turkey Sandwiches that any mother could make and send their child to school with for $550 and $600JMD! Oh no. The same can be found in Mega Mart for $250JMD.

My friend and I ordered the Conch soup ($170JMD tx incl.), Roasted Chicken ($550JMD tx incl.) and Pineapple Jerked Chicken wrap ($550JMD tax incl.). The server came to us a few minutes after, telling us there was no more Conch, but we already made the order and we were ready to grab and go. While we waited, I scanned the room and saw some diners with a large ‘box lunch’ serving of Shrimp Pasta. The Penne looked dry. I braved it and asked one of the ladies how she found it and I said it looked a little dry. She responded, ‘It is awful! Not nice at all, it neida dry nor wet’. We laughed and she then shared her sentiments with the server who told the chef. He said he would redo their order, which was a decent response instead of the ‘I’m sorry to hear’ that can’t buy soldier lorry response. Hopefully there was some improvement.

Although the staff was neither pleasant nor hostile, they said all orders take 7-10 minutes and they stuck to their word, because my food was ready in no time. I saw a quick turn over with other customers as well.

The soup was a bit too salty and ofcourse lacking conch. The Roast Chicken was good but the rice and peas was dry. The Jerk Chicken wrap was tasty and spicy.

Asia’s Café is definitely a good place to get reasonable, decent food on the go, but they should leave the elaborate things to fine dining restaurants, hence reduce their menu size and improve on the quality of remaining items.

Asia’s Café 

Ph#: 876-929-3568 / 876-929-5961

Address: Located inside York Pharmacy, Half-Way Tree, Kingston

Date of visit: 7/11/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★☆☆

Ambience: ☆☆☆☆☆

Decor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★☆☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Food quality: ★★★☆☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

 

 

Regency Bar and Lounge Impresses for RW Nyam and Scram

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

SuGa doubted the value for money for Regency’s Lobster Mac and Cheese served with garlic bread and a choice of Dessert shots. But SuGa Readers have spoken, finding it surprisingly satisfying with big chunks of lobster, topped off by tasty dessert shots. The men may need some more protein but this Nyam and Scram option definitely seems to be a good one for the ladies.

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Oasis on the Oxford Disappoints by Not Offering Items on their RW menu!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Feedback on the Oasis on the Oxford was no bueno for Nyam and Scram yesterday. SuGa’s source had her heart set on the Curry Goat and Roti option but was surprised and disappointed to hear that what they have is on the menu board outside, not including that Restaurant Week option or the others, after specifically asking for the Curry Goat as well. She was told the meal still came with a drink as advertised so decided to proceed with ordering something else.

She found the Manish water, Stew Pork mixed with Fried Chicken and Rice and peas to be tasty, but was disgusted with the complimentary drink that tasted like artificial Lime juice and water.

For an establishment that does catering and events, they should know and do better.

Items from the RW menu at Evita's Italian

Winner Winner Lobster Dinner at Evita’s Italian for Restaurant Week!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings
Items from the RW menu at Evita's Italian
Items from the RW menu at Evita’s Italian

My my, Dinner at Evita’s Italian yesterday evening was certainly a treat as expected and definitely value for money. The service, ambience and food were all exceptional. SuGa Endorsement for Restaurant Week: ★★★★★

Good feedback has come in from other SuGa recommended restaurants as well, such as Black Orchid at Eden Gardens with no long wait, good food and value for money and Suzie’s Bakery’s yummy Jerk Chicken Pasta.

Continue to enjoy Restaurant week SuGa Readers and please keep the feedback and pics coming!

Tandoor! Spicy to the Core

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Tandoor’s menu is filled with delicious, traditional Indian dishes. Probably too many though. There is even an Asian Fusian selection. Way too crammed and not easy on the eyes. Perhaps some images and more colour could be added for some enhancement. The waitress was polite and very attentive, however she could have assisted more with making suggestions from the menu. But with so many choices, could you blame her?

The ambience and decor need to be worked on majorly. The restaurant felt outdated and the colour scheme was mundane. The Indian show that was on the television by the bar on high volume wasn’t helping either. Where was the music channel?

There were only two other diners last Saturday night. This reminded me of my recent visit to Japanese Restaurant Cocoro. An indication that no matter how good and authentic the cuisine with decent service is, marketing and a revived ambience, thus giving a holistic dining experience, is important in such a competitive culinary atmosphere.

With that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the Aloo Stuffed Paratha (Indian bread stuffed with potatoes – $295JMD) and Bhuna Gosht (Lamb pan roasted with garlic ginger tomato bell pepper & traditional spice – $1795JMD). The Bhuna Gosht was bursting with flavour and extremely spicy. Imagine I ordered medium spicy. The lamb was also roasted well, tender to the taste. Two thumbs up to the chef.

Tandoor Indian Restaurant

Ph#: 876-929-3568 / 876-929-5961

Address: 11 Holborn Road, New Kingston. Kingston 10.

Date of visit: 8/11/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★☆☆☆☆

Decor: ★☆☆☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★★

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★☆☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Where to Nyam and Scram (30% off) for Restaurant week!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

The Nyam and Scram Category finally has some actual deals this year!

Asia’s Cafe in York Pharmacy will offer their OMG Burger, Soup and Bread pudding all for $595JMD. While Michael’s Restaurant and Coffee Shop on Constant Spring Road will have Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken with Sweet Potato Salad and a Chocolate Chip Cookie for $440JMD.

Brick Oven will have a combo with Shrimp Patty, Apple Pie and a scoop of Ice Cream for $550JMD that sounds fattening and awesome at the same time.

Check out Suzie’s Bakery and Coffee Bar for their decadent Jerked Chicken Pasta, succulent Shrimp or Chicken Noodle Stir Fry, juicy chunks of Curried Chicken plus lovely sides, all for $995 each, inclusive of tax.

Super’s Spicy Doubles (Indian cuisine) in Mona is also a place to check out with meals ranging from $400JMD to $600JMD.

Oasis on the Oxford will offer combos of Curry Goat and Roti with vegetables and juice for $550JMD and Chicken Satay, Pumpkin rice cakes with vegetables and juice for $490JMD.

Have great lunches starting this Friday, November 14 to Saturday, November 22!

Go to http://www.go-jamaica.com/rw/ for more information.

Epicurean (*$4300JMD) seems more of the same for RW 2014, but what are SuGa’s Picks?

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Same old Same old for the Epicurean category this year. Rojo practically has the same menu as last year. If no new restaurants emerge on the scene with Epicurean standard or none of the current restaurants improve enough to be added to this category, some new elements need to be incorporated to spice it up. Otherwise its ‘been there, done that’ or persons will just use the opportunity to host business meetings and dinners.

The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel and The Restaurant at Round Hill Hotel and Villas (Montego Bay) seem to have the fresher, more interesting menus including Lobster Creole, Lamb Ribs, Oxtail Ravioli and Braised Short Rib.

Bon appétit!

Go to http://www.go-jamaica.com/rw/ for more information.

* Prices for each category include 1 choice of Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert. Beverages, Gratuity and G.C.T are additional.