Save the Date, Saturday, July 27th at 4pm – 11pm for when Hope Gardens transforms into a giant kitchen!
Stay tuned to see which of your favourite Chefs, Caterers, Bakers, Farmers, Food Entrepreneurs and Artisans will be there and you can follow Kingston Kitchen’s Instagram page, @kgnkitchen.
#FortheLoveofFood #EatGood
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga’s Ratings for Redbones Blues Cafe
Date and time of visit: Sunday, June 9, 2019 at 8:45pm
No. of diners: 2 adults
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum and prices quoted do not include 16.5% GCT or Gratuity
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★☆
Speed: ★★★★☆
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★☆☆
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★☆
Suga’s Breakdown:
The relocated Redbones has luxurious décor with bold colours greeting you as you step out the elevator on the 5th floor of the new R Hotel. The wall of photos and definitive Redbones stage sign that we know from the previous Argyle road location, were tastefully integrated into the new, more spacious environment.
The Restaurant accommodated indoor and outdoor dining with city views and quite an inviting bar lined off with high chairs for socializing. The only thing missing for me was a TV, but I suppose they didn’t want to interfere with the intimacy and ambience of the dining area. Perhaps it could still be considered for daytime viewing and special events. I would like to return and enjoy some of the items from their affordable Bar Snacks Menu to accompany my Cocktails. Our Whiskey Sours were on point. I’m not sure if it is in the plans, but they should offer a Wine List too.
The staff were courteous and our waiter, Malcolm provided smooth service. The Soup of the Day, a Seafood soup ($550JMD – cup) started off dinner, followed by exquisite, pricey entrees. My husband, Randy’s Beef Tenderloin was done to order, medium rare with a tasty coffee and cocoa crusted char on top. My Bouillabaisse was absolutely delightful.
Beef Tenderloin cooked to perfection!
The Dessert was disappointing, but didn’t ruin the experience because we were still so captivated by our entrees. The Bread Pudding arrived a little hardened on the surface and was too hot from probably being reheated for too long. I like my Bread Pudding warm and freshly baked with a crumble on top. However, it’s early days with room for improvement and hopefully more decadent Dessert options will be offered as well.
We were introduced to Chef Karey at the end of the night, who greeted us warmly. I was happy I took the chance since they just reopened, to ring in my birthday with exquisite dining. Suga will return.
Redbones Blues Cafe at the R Hotel Kingston
Location: 2 Renfrew Rd. KingstonÂ
Ph: 876-968-6222; 876-292-1162
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Whether KD returns tonight or not, I think the Raptors have the Warriors’ ticket. They have found a way for their supporting cast to rise up and break them down. Let’s get real, IF KD is cleared to play tonight, how well can KD integrate himself after starting practice just yesterday?!
The Raptors want it more and have advantage of Home court and momentum. Don’t get it twisted, you can never totally write off Champions, but have you dissected the defense of the Raptors?
Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol have either been on the NBA All-Defensive Team, won NBA Defesive Player of the Year and/or been an NBA Block leader at some point in their career.
I don’t think the Raptors are going to let Game 5 slip away from them like Game 2. So Suga thinks it’s a ‘Rap’!
If the Raptors don’t take care of business tonight, they better prepare for a Game 7.
Enjoy! I love this Game!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The 21st staging of the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday on the lawns of Devon House was truly a euphoric atmosphere with the highest standards of food and drink in abundance with vibrant music to bounce and wobble to while guests indulged.
All the booths were quite inviting, but with experience, my friends and I were quite selective about our approach to ensure that we didn’t neglect or overlook any of our favourites or newbies on our hit list.
We started at Rainforest Seafoods, where they had salivating Sushi spreads and Wines to pair it all with, including one of my faves, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling courtesy of Select Brands.
We then made our way over to the Restaurant booths from Sandals Resorts International. Tender, juicy cuts of Beef, Ham and Lamb, Seafood, Ribs, Cheese platters, Cocktails, you name it!
They also had a gigantic Sushi spread.
As I continued to walk the lawns of Devon House with 18-year old whiskey in hand from Johnnie Walker, my stops had to include my other faves, Stush in the Bush, Christina Simonitsch, Half Moon, Uncorked Sovereign North, Mystic Thai, Steak House on the Verandah and newbies, Jamaican Peanut Butter Factory and Butcher Block by Gregory Burrowes who had savoury offerings from Chef Celeste Gordon, last year’s OFA Caterer of he Year.
Sending a special shout out and hearty Congratulations to Chris and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush who cleaned up this year and deservedly so! Their plant powered spread by their very own Sagicor Group booth this year, satisfied scores of guests at a time.
Christina Simonitsch, who walked away the Enterprise and Outstanding Caterer Awards tantalised our taste buds with her Charred Scotchie Shrimp, then cooled it down with her G.H. Mumm & Strawberry Popsicles. The scrumptious Oxtail Arancini left me speechless.
Other Highlights of the night:
Did you know?
Half Moon will be opening a Seafood Restaurant this September!
A taste of what to expect from the Seafood Restaurant to come at Half Moon, Delmare were absolutely delicious Pan Seared Scallops accompanied by tomato compote with saffron and vanilla zucchini spaghetti with Tarragon.
Even if I didn’t indulge, I had to also stop by newbies Chillin’ Restaurant and Bar, Seaside Dutchie and Tastee Ltd./Brew’d Awakenings
Grace Kennedy’s Harbour Wines and Spirits also impressed with their Ménage à Trois selection of Wines and more.
You are always as good as your last show and this was by far the biggest and best Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards that I have attended.
This year the Food Awards celebrated various Communities with Jamaican cuisine as authentic as you can get. Congratulations to the Chefs of the Communities that were selected and awarded:
• The Sephestines for Mount Estate, St. Thomas
• Monica Ottar for Bailey’s Vale, St. Mary
• The Allens for Gifford House – Granville, St. James, Montego Bay
• Christopher Marsh for Chris’s Cafe – Main Street, Oracabessa St. Mary
• Chris & Lisa Binns for Stush in the Bush – Free Hill, St. Ann
Chefs, Bakers, Caterers, Retailers and Restaurants have really elevated the level of quality for what they had to offer over the past year.
Congratulations to conceptualiser, Novia McDonald Whyte, the Jamaica Observer, the Judges, Sponsors, Retailers, the talented Nominees, Awardees and everyone responsible for the successful execution and staging of the Food Awards this year.
Cheers to next year!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
LIVERPOOL wins 6th Champions League Title
Mohamed Salah scored a penalty for Liverpool in the 2nd minute of the Champions League Final last Saturday. The penalty was a result of a handball off Tottenham Hotspur’s Moussa Sissoko. After a quick goal, quite a boring game followed, where Tottenham had over 60% possession for the majority of the game, but failed to score. After a few close attempts from Tottenham towards the end of the game, Liverpool’s Divock Origi sealed the title win at 87 minutes with a goal in the corner of the net.
Liverpool won 2-0. This was a great win for Liverpool after losing the English Premier League by 1 point to Manchester City. Congrats to Liverpool!
French Open, Roland Garros
Ladies
Venus Williams was sent home in the 1st round again.
World #1 Naomi Osaka and GOAT Serena Williams were knocked out in the 3rd round of the French Open on Saturday.
Past French Open Champ, Garbiñe Muguruza was knocked out yesterday by Sloane Stephens in straight sets.
Defending Champ, Simona Halep is still in it to win it!
Men
Favourites, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are all still in it to win it!
Stan Wawrinka won an epic 5-setter versus young Stefanos Tsitsipas who beat Federer in the Australian Open this year. Wawrinka faces Federer next!
WARRIORS level the series with the RAPTORS to 1-1 in the NBA FINALS
The wounded Warriors persevered to win 109-104 versus the Raptors last night.
They lost Kevon Looney in the 2nd quarter to a collarbone injury.
Steph Curry wasn’t feeling 100% and briefly went to the locker room and returned with more energy.
Klay Thompson left early in the fourth with a hamstring injury.
Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points, but his supporting cast of Siakam and Gasol were shut down defensively by the Warriors. Lowry was fouled out late in the 4th.
The Splash Brothers scored the most points, Klay with 25 and Curry with 23, but their supporting cast stepped up big time to help them get the road win.
Draymond scored 17 points.
DeMarcus Cousins a.k.a Boogie who just returned in Game 1 after being out for a while with a quad injury, gave them 11 points and a lot of minutes with great passes. Cook hit some clutch 3-pointers, Bogut stepped in well for Looney and Iguodala sealed the win with a 3-pointer after a great assist from Livingston that was almost intercepted by Kawhi.
Stay tuned for more updates on the NBA FINALS
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
TGIF! How fun was the Jamaica Observer Food Awards last night?!
I don’t think many persons found the GCG Events booth around the back, but their surprise cocktails handed to you were one of the highlights to my night. Not to mention their spicy JACKFRUIT CRÈME BRÛLÉE! 😠Stay tuned and follow Suga Lifestyle for more OFA highlights!
Enjoy the weekend!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
With no LeBron James, D-Wade, Tim Duncan nor Kevin Durant and a new team in the NBA Finals, NBA fans await the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors with much anticipation.
Injuries plague the Warriors. For now, there is no KD. DeMarcus Cousins a.k.a Boogie who just returned to training, is questionable to return for game 1. If he returns, he may break up the current chemistry of the team though. Then there is past Finals MVP, Andre Iguodala, who has an injured calf. He is still scheduled to play.
Despite the injuries, the Warriors have risen to the occasion to compete in the Finals with the return of the Splash Brothers, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and a focused Draymond Green. Kevon Looney has also stepped up majorly as a big in the paint. We know their bench is deep too. Can they do the 3-peat?!
Kawhi Leonard leads the Raptors, whose supporting cast have woken up with hunger in their eyes. There have been talks that Kawhi Leonard has the potential to be compared to Michael Jordan already. I agree, he has been starting to look like the GOAT, but how strong is his support team? Lowry aint no Pippen. He hustles though. Danny Green has been a no show, Gasol is an inconsistent weak link and Ibaka’s age is beginning to show. But VanVleet and Lopez are monsters for them. Siakam and Powell are good shooters too. Toronto also has home-court advantage and …well Drake 🤣
Who will win the NBA Finals?
With all fun and jokes aside, Suga gives the experienced Coach Steve Kerr and the Warriors team the slight edge over the Raptors for the win and the 3-peat.
Kawhi Leonard has already won Finals MVP. It’s time for Steph Curry to continue to step up and show up. I believe it would seal his legacy.
Game 1 starts at 8pmET!
Stay tuned to Suga Lifestyle for your NBA Finals updates! I love this game!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
You may be more familiar with Trevanne Donegal and The Layer Cake, but after returning from further Cuisine and Patisserie training at the well established Le Cordon Bleu in London, she has been building her dream kitchen and has rebranded with the name, Sear 274!
Here is just a touch of what she has been up to since she has been back. Absolutely salivating!
Look out for her and one of my other faves, Christina Simonitsch at Martell & GH Mumm’s booth at the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards tomorrow night at the Devon House!
Trevanne will have Dark Chocolate Martell Cognac Caramel Truffles ðŸ˜
Suga can’t wait to try Trevanne’s goodies on an even more elevated level.
Welcome home Trevanne!
Follow Trevanne Donegal on Instagram, @sear274
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The Western Conference Finals:
Warriors vs. Trail Blazers
After losing 2 games on the road and Damian Lillard suffering an injury of separated ribs, the Portland Trail Blazers’ season seems to almost be over after their 110-99 loss on Saturday night to go down 3-0. No team has ever come back from that. They fight to stay alive for 1 more game tonight.
The Eastern Conference Finals:
Bucks vs. Raptors
After the Bucks routed the Raptors on Friday night to go up 2-0 in the series, the Raptors returned to homecourt fighting. After 2 OTs and a lot of bumps and bruising, Kawhi Leonard (36 points) took over with Siakam (25 points) and Gasol (16 points) to keep their series alive with a 118-112 win.
Giannis of the Bucks did not show up last night with only 12 points, despite the effort by his teammates. He will make Shaqtin’ a Fool this week with his airball free throw and Drake trolling him. More is also needed from Middleton and Bledsoe. Props to George Hill (24 points) and Brogdon (20 points) who showed up for the Bucks.
The Bucks showed their weaknesses last night in a game they could have won to sink the Raptors. The Raptors will be sure to review the tape and return to Game 4 with homecourt advantage and a chance to level up!
Stay tuned to Suga Lifestyle for your NBA Playoffs updates! I love this game!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.