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.
Throwback Tuesday to Shrimp and Grits from Mahony’s Po-Boys & Seafood in New Orleans!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Jamaica has a handful of Chocolatiers that either support local Cocoa farmers or have their own Cocoa farm. They manufacture rich, high quality Chocolate Bars from the Cocoa Bean right here in Jamaica, more familiarly known as ‘Bean to Bar’ or ‘Farm to Bar’.
Our local Chocolatiers and where you can find their Chocolate Bars!
• Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers
• Likkle More Chocolate
• One One Cacao
• Chocollor Chocolate
• Pure Chocolate Company
> Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers
Founder: Local cocoa farmer, Averell French
They produce various products from Cocoa:
• Cocoa Powder
• Cocoa Nibs (Good antioxidants that can be blended with herbal tea, blended with smoothies/shakes and added to cereal with a sprinkle)
• Chocolate Bars
• Chocolate Spread
• Chocolate Wine
• Chocolate Tea
Fun Fact:
Adam & Eve Day Spa uses Chocolate from Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers for Chocolate Face Masks.
***Where you can find Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers’ Chocolate Bars?***
Loshusan Supermarket, Barbican; Fontana Pharmacy, Barbican; The Jamaica Pegasus Store, New Kingston
Costs: ~$430-$450JMD +tx per bar; ~$900JMD+tx for miniature variety pack;Â
$350JMD per bar (Wholesale/Factory price)
Instagram: @mount_pleasant_farm_chocolates
> Likkle More Chocolate
• Founder: Nadine Burie (Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards Dessert Chef of the Year – 2018 & 2019)
• Production of Chocolate Bars still in the creative process
***The brand is under continuous expansion or changes, so the percentages and flavours stated are what Suga Lifestyle has observed over the past few years and in speaking with Nadine Burie last December, 2018. There may be more or less variety to date***
• 62% and 70% Dark Chocolate Bars
• Produces Decorated Chocolate Bars with a unique variety of flavours!
– White Chocolate and Green tea matcha
-Â Dark Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut Caramelized
– Ginger
– White
-Â Dark
***Where can you find Likkle More Chocolate Bars?***
Cafe Blue, Sovereign Plaza, Liguanea (when available)
Instagram: @likklemore.chocolate
> One One Cacao
• Founder: Nick Davis
• BBC Caribbean’s correspondent
• Currently working on Production of Coffee in addition to his Chocolate Bars
• Factory in St. Mary overlooks the sea
• Started making Chocolate after he got a mystery illness, where he could no longer eat foods with preservatives
• He never thought he could give up Cadbury Dairy Milk, but when he decided to make his own Chocolate, he told Suga it was the best he has ever had. The need for sweet preservatives or artificial flavours was replaced by an appreciation for rich, strong, Dark Chocolate.
• Persons who make the switch to Dark Chocolate from Milk Chocolate with artificial flavours may find it bitter, but once you keep having it, you will love and appreciate the richness of Dark Chocolate like myself and Nick.
Fun Fact:
Without getting access to Likkle More Chocolate, the majority of Suga tasters voted One One Cacao as the richest Dark Chocolate in Jamaica, May 25, 2019.
• Nick Davis wants Jamaican Chocolate to go global and be recognised as much as Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, because we have some of the world’s finest Cocoa.
• Nick helps local Cocoa farmers by paying them a decent price.
• His Chocolate is 70% Cocoa
• Cane juice is used to sweeten the rest
***Where can you find One One Cacao Chocolate Bars?***
The Butcher Block, Manor Park; Cannonball, Manor Park; Craft Cottage, Village Plaza
Cost: ~$900 – $1000JMD +tx per bar
Instagram: @oneonecacao
> Chocollor Chocolate
• Family business owned by Carl and Donna Sharpe from Trelawny
• Donna and Carl moved to Kingston and now have their business in Kingston
• Carl Sharpe is a certified Chocolatier from the Cocoa Research Centre in Trinidad and Ecole Chocolat
• Carl used to be a mechanical engineer and then he had a vision to create something authentically Jamaican
• Chocollor produces Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Bars
• White Chocolate Bars are to be produced in the near future
• 6 and 12 – packs available with a variety of miniature Milk, White and Dark chocolates
• They use Cane juice to sweeten; no preservatives
Fun Facts:
Suga Taster, Tennyson Arnold still has a preference for Chocolate with artificial flavours. So, Chocollor Chocolate’s Milk Chocolate was his favourite at Suga Lifestyle’s Chocolate Tasting. Also, their White Chocolate was well received and their Dark Chocolate was richest for Suga Taster, Randy Burgess.
***Where can you find Chocollor Chocolate Bars?***
Location: 9 Leinster Road, Kingston
Ph: 876-321-5619
Instagram: @chocollorchocolate
Costs:Â $290JMD per Milk Chocolate bar; $375JMD per Dark Chocolate Bar; $790JMDÂ for miniature variety 6-pack (Milk, Dark, White); $817.18JMD for miniature variety 12-pack (Milk, Dark, White); $667.94 for 12-pack Milk Chocolates; $959.66 for 12-pack Dark Chocolates; $796.90 for 12-pack Milk & Dark Chocolates
> Pure Chocolate Company
• Founders: Former Executive and Assistant Pastry Chefs at Half Moon, Wouter and Rennae Tjeerte respectively, who met working at Half Moon and found love. Wouter is from Holland and Rennae is from St. Catherine.
• Some time after Half Moon, Wouter worked at Jade Mountain Luxury Resort in St. Lucia, where they make their own Chocolate from scratch. Wouter had no choice but to learn how to make Chocolate. Rennae was quite enthusiastic about this and learned how to make Chocolate too.
• Eventually Rennae longed to return home to Jamaica. Wouter told her once she could source a good quality Cocoa bean, they would return and they did!
• They also produce Slow Roasted Cocoa Nibs
• Support local farmers
• The Cocoa is transported from Portland to their factory in Spanish Town, where they ferment and dry the Cocoa bean.
• They produce a variety of Dark Chocolates Farm to Bar: 68% slow roasted nibs, 75% Pure Chocolate, 84% Pure Chocolate and 70% Jerk Seasoning
• They have unique molding too!
• Pure Chocolate Company supports local Artist, Taj Francis, graduate of Edna Manley for their bold packaging
Check out what Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth had to say about the local Chocolate that tasted the best to her on May 25, 2019 at Suga Lifestyle’s Chocolate Tasting!Â
Did you know Jamaican Chocolate made it to Amsterdam, Netherlands?!
***Where can you find Pure Chocolate Company’s Chocolate Bars?***
Things Jamaican stores (Devon House; 14 Camp Road, Kingston; NMIA); Half Moon Shopping Village; Goldeneye Resort, St. Mary; Smokeez, Rosehall, Montego Bay; Antigua Airport
Costs: ~$950-$1000JMD +tx per bar; $800JMD per bar (Trade show price)
$650JMD per bar (Wholesale price with a minimum of 24 bars)
Instagram: @purechocolatecompany
One last Fun Fact:
One of the Chocolate companies in Grenada uses a machine that they got from the Highgate Chocolate Factory in Richmond, St. Mary, Jamaica that closed in 2006.
My Suga Tasters, who you will hear more about soon, had a blast at Suga Lifestyle’s Chocolate Tasting. I hope you enjoyed reading about our Jamaican Chocolatiers and their stories. Please go out and try our local Chocolates soon. You will not regret it!
Buy Local, Buy Jamaican 🇯🇲
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.
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.
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.
If you laboured yesterday, you surely deserve a prize like this!
Enjoy the weekend!
Fromage Brasserie
Location: Market Place – 67 Constant Spring Road. Kingston.
Ph: 876-649-0820-1
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 Chive Restaurant
Date and time of visit: Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 5:00pm
No. of diners: 2 adults
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★☆
Ambience: ★★★★☆
Décor: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★★☆
Speed: ★★★★☆
Food quality: ★★★★★
Serving amount: ★★★★☆
Plating: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★★☆
Suga’s Breakdown:
It’s been a long time coming, but Suga finally got the chance to return to Chive last Saturday and I am happy I did!
Our server, Orlando was superb. Loved the variety on their new menu with relatively reasonable prices. Our dishes did not fall short on flavour. Portion sizes were adequate, dishes were well presented and with a comfortable atmosphere, I have no complaints.
Those Mussels were indeed spicy!
***Prices did not include G.C.T and a 10% service charge***
I hope to try one of their tempting Burgers on a cheat day next time!
Chive Restaurant continues to be #SugaEndorsed. Give them a visit for Lunch or Dinner!
Chive Restaurant
Location: Shop 15, Orchid Village Plaza. 20 Barbican Road. Kingston 6.
Ph: 876-820-1194
Instagram: @chivejamaica
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 Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.