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Suga Taster, Taraja does Traditional Thai in NYC!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsSuga TastersWhat's Hot
Suga Taster, Taraja Jackson with friend, Darya Hall at Thai Villa, NYC.

A few weeks ago, Suga Taster, Taraja Jackson was in foodie heaven at Thai Villa, a traditional and unique Thai Restaurant in the stylish city of Manhattan, NYC.

Located on 5 E 19th St, New York,
the stylish space with dark-wood accents and ornate fixtures had an hour wait time since they had no reservations.

Taraja hopped down to a local rooftop bar and had Cocktails, then was called by the courteous staff of Thai Villa, who informed them that they were ready for their dinner party.

They were seated at the upper level, which overlooked the main restaurant. The ambience was perfect.

Don’t you just love Authentic Thai Cuisine?!

Suga Taster, Taraja enjoyed Chicken Satay, Pla Muk Tod (Fried turmeric coconut Calamari), Soft Shell Crab Mango Salad, Pad Thai (Shrimp, Rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, red onion, egg and peanuts. Gluten free), Ped Ron (Crispy Five Spice Duck) and Moo-Obb Nam Puaung Entree (Grilled marinated Pork).

Chicken Satay – Grilled marinated chicken on skewers, served with peanut sauce, cucumber relish, and grilled brioche.
Pla Muk Tod – Fried turmeric coconut Calamari. Crispy fried Calamari served with roasted bell pepper-peanut vinaigrette dipping sauce.
Soft Shell Crab Mango Salad – Shredded Mango, Peanuts, Coconut Flakes, Red Onion and Cilantro with Thai Chili-Lime Dressing.
Pad Thai (Shrimp, Rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, red onion, egg and peanuts. Gluten free)
Ped Ron (Crispy Five Spice Duck) – Deep Fried Half Duck, Chinese Broccoli, Served with Honey-Soy-Bouquetiere Dressing.
Moo-Obb Nam Puaung Entree (Grilled marinated Pork) with honey-soy glazed, baby bok choy served with coconut sticky rice.

Her overall experience was great, the food came out quickly and they shared the Appetizers which were quite filling. Both the Appetizers and Entrees were absolutely delicious at affordable prices and the service was on point! Suga Taster, Taraja gives them ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

Thai Villa

Location: 5 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003, United States

Ph: 212-802-9999

Website: https://thaivillanyc.com/

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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#tbt to Some ‘propa’ Garlic Lobster by the Beach!

by Brand JamaicaFoodpornSuga TastersWhat's Hot
Garlic Lobster from Sugarpot Beach Bar Restaurant in St. Mary, Jamaica.

#tbt to some ‘propa’ Garlic Lobster by the Beach!

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Nothing but Smiles when Sear 274 Caters at Your Home!

by Brand JamaicaChefs, Bakers and CaterersFoodpornSuga TastersWhat's Hot


#tbt to Sear 274 (Instagram: @sear274) catering at the home of Suga Tasters, Ashleigh and Tennyson Arnold!

What a Charcuterie Board! Love them.

Suga Tasters also enjoyed Thai Seafood green curry with Caribbean spiny Lobster, Shrimp and Crab with spicy notes to elevate the dish and more.

It wouldn’t be a complete experience without Sear 274 Dessert!

Perfection is the only word that the Arnolds could use to describe their Sear 274 feast. Bravo 👏🏾

Sear 274

Website: http://www.sear274.com

Instagram: @sear274

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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#tbt to this Shrimp Surf & Turf from The Neptune’s at Beaches Resorts, Ocho Rios !

by Brand JamaicaFoodpornSuga TastersWhat's Hot

The Neptune’s Shrimp Surf & Turf with Chargrilled Boston cut Striploin Steak, Shrimp Skewer, mashed potatoes, sautéed vegetables and garlic butter was divine! Tender, juicy and well seasoned. Kudos to Chef Viv!

Dinner was spectacular from the start with their Seafood Salad, Assorted Meze including Octopus, Prawns and more, Ceviche, the mains with Surf & Turf, Lamb, Swordfish Steak, Pastas and more, topped off with Baklava and Ice Cream for the finale. My family cleaned up!

The Neptune’s at Beaches Resorts
always delivers! Especially when they used to have booths at various festivals and events.

They maintained great service when the hotel was fully booked and understaffed. Bravo.
#SugaSnaps & #SugaEndorsed.

The Neptune’s at Beaches Resorts, Ocho Rios

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

#Sugalifestyleja #issalifestyle #SugaTasters #Seafood #RestaurantRatingsandReviews #OutdoorDining #SeasideDining #Views #CopingWithCovid #WeAreInThisTogether

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Suga Taster, Jehan Dines Seaside at Rusty Pelican Miami!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsSuga TastersWhat's Hot

Suga Taster Jehan’s Ratings for Rusty Pelican
Waterfront Restaurant
Date and time of visit: Saturday, July 3, 2021 at 6:15pm:

No. of diners: 5
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★☆
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★★

Although it’s known that Miami has some of the best restaurants in South Florida, foodie & Suga Taster, Jehan was pleasantly surprised by her experience at Rusty Pelican from arrival to departure.

Suga Taster, Jehan’s Breakdown:

“The hostess was quick to check the reservation and seat the 5 of us as we arrived. Shortly after, our server Mike T. came over, introduced himself, provided our menus and took drink orders. 

Rusty Pelican’s Old Fashioned
Passion of the Soul
Blurred Lines

Mike T. was quite attentive as the evening progressed and even ensured to note any food-based allergies.

The Appetizers and Main courses did not disappoint!

Jumbo Gulf Shrimp Cocktail
Dayboat Pistachio Scallops
Crispy whole local Snapper
The Chilean Sea Bass
Rusty Pelican Board for two!
Short Rib Empanadas

They lacked dessert options though and the two ordered did not hit the sweet spot. The Sticky Toffee Pudding is a warmed Date Cake served with brown butter pecans and caramel ice cream. The warm Cafe con leche consisted of white chocolate, cuban coffee, and cookies & cream ice cream.

Sticky Toffee Pudding
Cafe con leche

Looks and Sounds great eh? Sadly, the date cake was dry and dense and the Cafe con leche left a lot to be desired.

Despite the disappointing Dessert, the experience, Mains and cocktails were still great and I will definitely be back” ~Suga Taster, Jehan Knight.

Rusty Pelican Waterfront Restaurant
Address: 3201 Rickenbacker Csywy, Key Biscayne, Florida
Parking: Valet only
Instagram: @rustypelicanmiami

Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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TGIF to Sal’s Sweets Baking the World a Better Place!

by Brand JamaicaChefs, Bakers and CaterersSuga TastersWhat's Hot

TGIF and #fbf to #Sugataster Randy and I indulging in the unique variety of Sal’s Sweets delights.

From practicing Financial Services in Estonia and Florida to settling back home in Jamaica and practicing her passion, Sal Mahtani brings out the flavours she has grown up with that complement each other so well. She is of Indian heritage and has family in the Phillipines, where she has visited as well as countries in Europe. Being well travelled, she has demonstrated a knack for playing with different flavours, for anything but an average result.

This home-taught Baker started out baking Lemon Rosemary Scones for herself and friends while living in Florida. Go figure!

In a currently saturated field of Bakers especially during the pandemic, Sal does not do the classic Cookies, Cupcakes, Banana Bread or Cinnamon Rolls. It’s innate for her to do spin offs.

Russian Tea Cookies
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies
Baklava with a twist!
Baklava with a twist! (Shortbread crust, layered with nuts, baked with filo dough on top and drizzled with pumpkin spice syrup!)
Carrot Cake with a twist! Carrot Cake loaf topped off with with roasted walnuts, cranberries and spiced cream cheese frosting!

Her signature Cookies are Russian Tea Cookies that melt in your mouth, using her Mom’s recipe that she has recreated to offer vegans too. Her Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Chip Cookies with local Chocollor Chocolate, Earl Grey Lavendar Cookies and atypical Baklava are divine. A twist on the classic Baklava, using a shortbread crust, layered with nuts, baked with filo dough on top and drizzled with pumpkin spice syrup! Excellent texture for travel, whether it’s you or Sal! She frequently comes to Kingston on weekends from Ocho Rios for pick up and can facilitate FREE Delivery. Her products are now in the new Ciao Bella Café and soon to be in Lala’s Nutmeg in Ocho Rios!

Looking forward to Sal’s Sweets’  Summer spin offs! A little birdie told me I can look out for Lychee Lavendar, Chai and Lemon Basil flavours with Popsicles in the mix!

Follow @salsweetsja on Instagram NOW and make your orders! #SugaEndorsed

Sal’s Sweets

Ph: 876-388-6426

Instagram: @salsweetsja

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Happy Curry Goat Wednesday! Who’s your fave?!

by Brand JamaicaChefs, Bakers and CaterersFoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsSuga TastersWhat's Hot
The Rocks Restaurant and Bar, (across from Harmony Hall) Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Where’s your favourite spot for juicy, tender, well seasoned, spicy Curried Goat that ‘mek u nose run’!

Check out some of Suga’s faves here! I have a craving.

Sonia’s Homestyle Cooking on Central Avenue, Kingston.
Murray’s Fish and Jerk Hut, Clarendon Park, Toll Gate.
M10 Bar & Grill on Vineyard Road, Kingston
Janga’s Sound Bar and Grill on Belmont Road, Kingston
Jen’s Kitchen and Lounge on Manning’s Hill Road, Kingston
Cru Bar and Kitchen on Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston
Jabba’s Peppa Swims on 151 Constant Spring Road, Kingston

Instagram Handles:

BIG UP @the_rocks_restaurant_n_bar, @soniashomestylecooking, @murraysfishandjerkhut, @m10barandgrill [📸: @garfield_bucka_taylor – That mix though!], @jangas.soundbar, @jenskitchenja, @crubarjamaica, @jabbaspeppaswims !!!

Also, by popular demand, let’s not forget Moby Dick on Orange Street, Kingston!

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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A Sentimental Visit to the Relocated Summerhouse where Hubby Proposed

by Chefs, Bakers and CaterersCulinary ExperiencesFoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsSuga TastersWhat's Hot

Suga’s Ratings for Summerhouse
Date and time of visit: Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 2:30pm
No. of diners: 4.5
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★★

Suga’s Breakdown

It’s always a pleasure to visit Harmony Hall, that dates backs to the 19th century, now the home of Summerhouse.

Exquisite outdoor dining with superior service and delectable courses that I enjoyed with my husband, Randy, friends and Suga Tasters, Ashleigh and Tennyson Arnold and Suga Baby, Blaire Arnold.

Suga Tasters, Ashleigh and Tennyson Arnold with Suga Baby, Blaire Arnold.

I could almost say our culinary experience was excellent from start to finish, but with fair warning, disappointing Dessert loomed the air. Bread Pudding is usually a common, highly anticipated request by us Jamaicans, where the calories are worth it. When ordered with a side of their dairy-free ice cream, the ice cream didn’t help it. It was dry and left unfinished. The other Dessert options weren’t satisfying either and sometimes this may leave a lasting impression, but definitely not this time. It’s early days, with many naturally talented bakers emerging during Covid. They should be able to find a superb Pastry Chef.

The Appetizers and Starch dishes were large enough to share, the Coal-Fired Proteins were divine and we had a few Cocktails. The Strawberry Bellini was on point👌🏾. Executive Chef Dennis McIntosh paid us a visit for feedback and he was lauded.

Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga of Suga Lifestyle with Strawberry Bellini in hand at Summerhouse last Saturday, May 22, 2021.

We enjoyed scrumptious Saltfish Fritters with a spicy dipping sauce, mouth-watering cheesy Callaloo dip with Crostini, Curried Ackee Wontons, juicy Local Beef Tenderloin cooked as ordered, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, tasty Orzo, mixed Mushrooms, savory Fresh Grouper, delish Ripe Plantain Gratin and one of specials of the day, Grilled Tuna with a heavenly lemon & cilantro butter. Feast your eyes.

Quite a delightful experience and currently considered one of the Best places to Brunch on a Sunday. Kudos to Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau, Jamaican sisters who have found a new home, where it’s always Summer, providing us with the pleasure of embracing modern, heritage dining with a side of fresh, Caribbean Sea breeze.

Summerhouse

Location: Harmony Hall, St. Mary.

Reservations: 876-603-3777; 876-858-0031

Instagram: @summerhouseja

Website (Including Menus): www.summerhouseja.com/

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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#tbt to this Grouper from Summerhouse that’s now by Harmony Hall, St. Mary!

by Chefs, Bakers and CaterersCulinary ExperiencesFoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsSuga TastersWhat's Hot
[📸: Suga Baby, Tricia-Gaye O’Connor]

#tbt to this Grouper from Summerhouse that’s now by Harmony Hall, St. Mary!

I’ve been getting rave reviews from my Suga Bears and Suga Babies about the relocated Summerhouse (Instagram: @summerhouseja) from The Liguanea Club to Harmony Hall, St. Mary, Ocho Rios. Can’t wait to visit!

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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#tbt to all kind of yummy, creamy flavours from Artiscoop!

by Brand JamaicaChefs, Bakers and CaterersSuga TastersWhat's Hot
Chocolate Strawberry Flirt from Artiscoop

Closed out the Weekend Lockdown Edition in fine style! Who doesn’t like Ice Cream on a Sunday ?!

Artiscoop is on the rise with a variety of mouth-watering flavours, where Artisan, also Doctor and Photographer, Jodi-Ann Millen keeps coming up with more!

It was hard to choose, but I happily settled with the Chocolate Strawberry flirt (with Cafe Blue Chocolate by Nadine Burie), Otaheite Lemonade Sorbet, White Chocolate Raspberries, Red Wine & S’mores and my fave, Strawberry French Toast with Coffee Syrup. Absolutely unique and delicious! The texture was creamy as it should be, but also didn’t melt too fast. The Sorbet was fruity, icy and on point.

Otaheite Lemonade Sorbet from Artiscoop

Jodi managed to orchestrate richness in all her flavours! #SugaSnaps #SugaEndorsed

#CantQuarantineTheHustle
Support the Hustle. Support Talent. Support Local. Buy Jamaican 🇯🇲

Instagram: @artiscoop

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.