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.

The North Coast takes the Delectable (*$3800JMD) category for RW Jamaica hands down!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Majestic, Red Bones and Whitebones need to step it up, not only during Restaurant Week, but all year round. All roads lead to the North Coast! Fresh menus and ambience galore!

All courses at Calypso at Seawind Beach Club (Montego Bay) look great. Pan Seared Tuna Medallions, 12 oz Black Angus Rib Eye, Chilean Seabass, Chocolate Lava Cake with Mint Gelato and more. Dinner at Calypso is usually a treat.

The House Boat Grill will provide another exciting option in Montego Bay with their infamous Caesar Salad, Thai Red Curry Mussels and more for Appetizers. Thai Red Curry Lobster amongst other scrumptious meats will be offered for the main course and the Chocolate Molten Cake looks like it will be divine.

Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove, the hidden gem in Ocho Rios will offer their delicious Smoked Marlin Salad as an appetizer with a variety of other options. They will have Seafood Linguine with Shrimp, Conch and Fish, Smoked Ribs, Beef Tenderloin and more.

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.

SuGa’s picks for Simple but Tasty (*$1850JMD) for Restaurant Week Jamaica!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

The Tasty category is more on the simple side with dishes that most persons should be familiar with. A few restaurants still stand out in terms offering more value for money even though they do not have the greatest ambience.

ROE Japanese Cuisine, Tandoor Indian Restaurant and the Chill Out Hut Restaurant (Montego Bay) seem like great choices. Chill Out Hut will have Chicken Wings, Nachos, 1 lb whole Fish/Fish Fillet any way you like it, a Chicken and Ribs combo and more.

JoJo’s Jerk Pit and More usually offers a large serving of BBQ Spare Ribs, small desserts and basic appetizers.

East Japanese seems satisfactory with their usual Miso soup and Salads, simple Vanilla Ice Cream and main course including Shrimp Tempura and Teriyaki Chicken. However the choices at Northside Kitchen, aside from their location seem like more value for money. There is also a wider range of items to choose from.

The menu from Lillian’s at UTECH looks good with a variety of options. The quality of food is usually decent as well.

Pizza Hut – Dine In in Kingston and Montego Bay look like awesome Binge fests!

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.

 

So many places to go in Kingston for the Savoury (*$2800) category, where to go?

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

With so many choices, to make a decision or decisions, it all comes down to reputable service, quality, ambience and ofcourse the menu.

Caffe Da Vince in The Marketplace is at the top of the ladder for SuGa. The menu choices look delicious for appetizers, entrees AND desserts. Eggplant Caprese salad, their infamous Seafood pasta, Chicken Lasagne, Beef Tenderloin, Pork Tenderloin, Flambe, Panna Cotta, Chocolate Mousse Cake and the list goes on. It will definitely be hard to choose dishes, but that’s a good thing.

Gimbilyn Restaurant at Alhambra Inn is not too far behind with an inviting menu including Shrimp salad, Ackee and Saltfish pockets, Tomato Bruschettas, Grilled Salmon, their signature Sirloin of Beef, topped off by some good looking dessert choices.

Fromage is looking good as well. Their standard of good quality food and service has been high this year. They ofcourse will offer their signature Blu Crab Cakes, Steak Au Poivre, salivating Caramel Crumble Bread pudding and more.

The Melting Pot Restaurant and Lounge at the Knutsford Court Hotel will have crispy Wonton Dumplings with corned pork and more. Roasted Air Line Breast stuffed with Smoked Turkey Pastrami, butter beans, pepper jack cheese and sundried tomatoes sounds flavourful. Seafood Portofino, Herb marinated Fillet with smoked Marlin and Chutney will also be there with a ‘rub your belly’ finish of Double Fudge Chocolate Cake, Rum Cream Cheese Cake or their Assorted Dessert Trio.

Black Orchid Restaurant at Eden Gardens may be under the radar, but this is one of the advantages of Restaurant Week. Go somewhere you haven’t been before and see what the restaurant has to offer. Their menu stands out with a few unique dishes. Citrus Quinoa salad, Ackee and Saltfish Puff Pastries and Crab Chowder are on their appetizer list. For the main course, they have a Peppercorn Crusted Striploin, Pan Seared Salmon and the interesting choice of a Garlic Shrimp Coconut Polenta. Dessert choices look decent as well.

Even if not chosen for Restaurant Week, restaurants that put themself out there are still recognized. Restaurant Week also provides a good outlet to promote or launch new dishes. The end of the year will definitely not go by before SuGa tries that orgasmic-looking Oxtail Lasagne offered at 689 By Brian Lumley on Wednesdays and Sundays!

Have fun supporting Brand Jamaica and our local chefs SuGa Readers!

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.

The Savoury (*$2800JMD) category in Ocho Rios is poppin! But EVITA’s is Leading

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

All restaurants in the Savoury category in Ocho Rios look like they will be enjoyable. However, it is Evita’s Italian that looks the most impressive and may guarantee more value for money. They have an astounding range of mouth-watering entrees (11!) including Lasagna Bolognese, Seafood or ‘Rastafari’, Salmon Risotto, Lobster and Baby Shrimp Fettuccine and more.

 

If you feel like taking RW to the beach, Bamboo Beach Club is looking good and interesting with an Oxtail Bruschetta appetizer, a main course of Smoked Pork Chop with Guava spiced rum sauce, escallion curry rice and Rum & Raisin Bread Pudding or Coffee Cheese Cake for dessert.

The appetizers at Spring Garden’s Cafe do not look too appetizing, a bit too simple. However, they have some exciting choices for the main course including Seafood Thermidor, Lobster Primavera, Chicken Caprese and more. A warm Bread Pudding with Ice Cream for dessert is usually satisfactory as well.

Ochi here comes SuGa Lifestyle!

Remember you can visit http://www.go-jamaica.com/rw/ for more information.

* Prices of each category includes 1 choice of Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert. Beverages, GCT and Gratuity are additional.

Where to go for RWJ in Montego Bay for Savoury ($2800JMD*) !

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Pelican Grill and Seahorse Grill look like the places to go SuGa Readers!

Pelican Grill’s RWJ menu certainly has some stand outs with Jerk Shrimp Spring rolls, Surf and Turf (Grilled Fillet Steak paired with Lobster Thermidor) and some seemingly yummy desserts. The fact that Pelican Grill is even in this category is a good deal.

Seahorse Grill at the MoBay Yacht Club will have a lovely choice of appetizers including Buffalo wings, Pita and Hummus dip and Smoked Blue Marlin on toast. For their main course, the Shrimp dish and Rocky Point Conch look like they will be divine. Then the Sweet Potato Coconut Pecan Pie served hot over rum/raisin Ice Cream ….yassss!

Hit up http://go-jamaica.com/rw/ for more info.

* Price of each category includes one choice of Appetizer, Main Course & Dessert. Beverages, GCT and Gratuity are additional.

 

Its not Summer or Christmas but these Movies are Gooooood! When last have you gone to the Theatres?

by What's Hot

After hearing The Equalizer was oh so good, not going to the movies in months and saying, is Denzel Washington back? Hell yea, let’s go see. And indeed he is. BEST movie out right now. Catch it while it’s still out. The movie will have you at the edge of your seat the whole way through, thoroughly impressed with the smooth, ‘badassness’ of Denzel at his age. The movie shows Denzel living a strictly routine, OCD life but some suspect that it has become that way for a reason, what the hell did he do for a living way back?! Curiosity got a young hooker innocently befriending Denzel, but it didn’t kill her. It was the best thing she could have done after her life was threatened and the clock for Denzel went tick tock to go for an entire Russian mafia!

Now, after being pleasantly surprised by The Equalizer, I tuned in to see what else was buzzing on the movie scene. I kept hearing about this Gone Girl with Ben Affleck. Ben Affleck? Boringgggg. I still gave him the benefit of the doubt and watched the trailer. Ok, interested. I wanted to know, did he really kill his wife? Where is this Amy? Watched it. What a freak show! But a good one. What started out to be puzzling, became upsetting, then more dark and finally, hilariously twisted. The movie was inspired from the #1 Best Selling New York Times Novel, ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn. It didn’t matter if Ben Affleck is a boring actor because his character was to be emotionless anyway. So it worked out. Wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending, it left you wanting more or a different angle after all it put you through watching it. Could there be thoughts for a Gone Girl 2? I won’t give anything away on this one, but men, this ain’t no chick flick, you should watch as well.

Fury with Brad Pitt and more men that are quite easy on the eyes is also out in the theatres. Cool trailer as well, involving soldiers in dangerous territory behind enemy lines. But the jury is still out on that one.

Now, November Man with Pierce Brosnan, another veteran actor and ladies sweetheart, showed he is just as fit as Denzel. The movie was full of action. Although it had a cliche CIA storyline, it was still enjoyable.

The Judge with Robert Downey Jr. is out today! Downey Jr. plays a successful lawyer returning home for his mother’s funeral, then faced the fact that his father, the town’s judge, played by Robert Duvall, is suspected of murder. They don’t seem to have the best relationship but ofcourse Downey Jr. tries to get to the bottom of it. What makes it look like more of a good watch, is the fact that Billy Bob Thornton plays the Prosecutor. I am sure Billy Bob will be entertaining, but is that just a set up for a disappointing movie plot overall? We shall see.

Its movie season people, break your usual routine and go see some. Pick, choose and refuse. SuGa’s first pick…..The Equalizer! 

Its not Summer or Christmas but these Movies are Gooooood! When last have you gone to the Theatres?

by What's Hot

After hearing The Equalizer was oh so good, not going to the movies in months and saying, is Denzel Washington back? Hell yea, let’s go see. And indeed he is. BEST movie out right now. Catch it while it’s still out. The movie will have you at the edge of your seat the whole way through, thoroughly impressed with the smooth, ‘badassness’ of Denzel at his age. The movie shows Denzel living a strictly routine, OCD life but some suspect that it has become that way for a reason, what the hell did he do for a living way back?! Curiosity got a young hooker innocently befriending Denzel, but it didn’t kill her. It was the best thing she could have done after her life was threatened and the clock for Denzel went tick tock to go for an entire Russian mafia!

Now, after being pleasantly surprised by The Equalizer, I tuned in to see what else was buzzing on the movie scene. I kept hearing about this Gone Girl with Ben Affleck. Ben Affleck? Boringgggg. I still gave him the benefit of the doubt and watched the trailer. Ok, interested. I wanted to know, did he really kill his wife? Where is this Amy? Watched it. What a freak show! But a good one. What started out to be puzzling, became upsetting, then more dark and finally, hilariously twisted. The movie was inspired from the #1 Best Selling New York Times Novel, ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn. It didn’t matter if Ben Affleck is a boring actor because his character was to be emotionless anyway. So it worked out. Wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending, it left you wanting more or a different angle after all it put you through watching it. Could there be thoughts for a Gone Girl 2? I won’t give anything away on this one, but men, this ain’t no chick flick, you should watch as well.

Fury with Brad Pitt and more men that are quite easy on the eyes is also out in the theatres. Cool trailer as well, involving soldiers in dangerous territory behind enemy lines. But the jury is still out on that one.

Now, November Man with Pierce Brosnan, another veteran actor and ladies sweetheart, showed he is just as fit as Denzel. The movie was full of action. Although it had a cliche CIA storyline, it was still enjoyable.

The Judge with Robert Downey Jr. is out today! Downey Jr. plays a successful lawyer returning home for his mother’s funeral, then faced the fact that his father, the town’s judge, played by Robert Duvall, is suspected of murder. They don’t seem to have the best relationship but ofcourse Downey Jr. tries to get to the bottom of it. What makes it look like more of a good watch, is the fact that Billy Bob Thornton plays the Prosecutor. I am sure Billy Bob will be entertaining, but is that just a set up for a disappointing movie plot overall? We shall see.

Its movie season people, break your usual routine and go see some. Pick, choose and refuse. SuGa’s first pick…..The Equalizer! 

Simply Red! Wine and Food Galore! Gabby checks out BBQ Oxtail, Cheese fountains and more

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Simply Red’s 25th Anniversary was a night to remember. Relaxed atmosphere with a wide variety of wine and food as expected. The only thing lacking was a range of desserts. Chocolate Dreams locked up shop pretty early and there seemed to be mainly Mousses and Pana Cottas. Other than that, nothing to really bite or cut into. The tents were also pretty hot, probably as a result of humidity setting in after the evening rain, but no fans were in sight. The logistics however, allowed enough space for persons to walk around freely in the large central area to cool off.

It would be hard to give highlights, as every chef, caterer, company or organization had something special to offer. UTECH had a few stations. You could hardly taste the lobster in their Lobster roll with red pepper remoulade, but their Brined Duck Breast with breadfruit soffrito was cooked to perfection. Brian Lumley’s signature Herb de Provence Chicken marinated with white wine was up to good standard as usual, complemented by mushroom cream sauce and red pepper coulis. The Ham stuffed 689 Croquettes were decent as well. Chef George Matthews had a wicked Steak flank with Corn on the Cob and Barbecue Oxtail! The Barbecue Oxtail was alright, I expected more with the sauce and it surely didn’t slide off the bone.

Rainforest Seafoods had Smoked Marlin sandwiches that had way too much butter, but a Bread pudding with cheese and an optional honey topping that was delish. Their Avocado salad with arugula was also divine. The Chilean’s Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Pebre had a savoury, unique taste. Unfortunately the beef was not tender enough and the representative did not sufficiently or enthusiastically explain the dish. Perhaps the kids also representing the booth that were oh so adorable, stole her spotlight.

Interesting and fun options were Tastee’s cheese fountain with potato wedges and Kendel’s Mackerel Tempura rolls.

Persons that wished to load on the carbs had unlimited options of pastas, noodles, lamb and beef burgers as well.

Jacqui Tyson put on quite a show with her Best Dressed Fried Chicken and dancing chefs. Her area as well as the Pop Up Gourmet/CPJ booth, were crowded all night compared to all the others that had a free flow. Kudos to Jacqui for occasionally going on the mic to keep the crowd in the know of what she had to offer, raising person’s interest and having them go back for more.

Mission Catwalk also had a booth showcasing red dresses made by contestants, of which there was a poll going for the best dress. Only two were impressive, though the others showed great potential and it was a good promotion for the show.

Grace, Campari, BETCO Premier Ltd. along with JMMB, CPJ wines with Pop UP Gourmet, Select Brands and the Chilean representatives kept the spirits flowing all night. The Little Penguin Chardonnay and BETCO’s René Barbier Blanco were the winners for me.

The event seemed to be well supported, so hopefully The Heart Foundation reached their target and it will be even more spectacular next year.

Cost: $5000JMD or $4500JMD from Pop Up Gourmet