20180401_103049

Jamaican Breakfast in the Mountains

20180401_103049

Suga’s Ratings for EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse

Date and time of visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 10:30am

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Decor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★☆☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★☆☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments:

Exquisite ambience and scenic view with hummingbirds in full flight while you wait for your food made fresh to order.  Menu items were quite reasonable in cost. My husband and I had the Jamaican breakfast that included Ackee and saltfish, along with sides of our choice. I thought that they needed more filling in their Fritters, but their Ackee and other sides such as boiled banana were spot on.

20180418_025433
Ackee and Saltfish with Fritters and Fried Dumpling ($900JMD+12.5% serv. charge)

The father-daughter duo who run EITS, Michael and Robyn Fox, were hospitable, making us feel right at home.

Their high standard as a must-stop on the Blue Mountain culinary trail has been kept. Suga snaps for EITS.

EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse

Ph#: 876-944-8974

Address: 17 Mile Post, Newcastle. St. Andrew Jamaica

Stay tuned for 2 spots that have gone downhill on the Blue Mountain Culinary trail for Suga Bears next week!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Review, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

20180416_140741.jpg

Thanks for the Likes Suga Bears!

SUGA LIFESTYLE’s Facebook Page is at 500 LIKES!

Since the start of the year, Suga has made an effort to reach out to more persons on Facebook to increase joy and awareness about what Suga Lifestyle is all about.

Suga has reached out with various posts to inspire, educate and entertain via What’s Hot in Sports, Restaurant Reviews and Rantings, Health and Fitness, GW Art, Charites, Recipes and more!

The www.sugalifestyle.com website is almost at 1000 followers!

Stay tuned for more exciting things from Suga this year and thanks for reading, following, liking and keeping up!

Suga appreciates you.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

IMG-20180315-WA0000-1

TGIF to this Jamaican Breakfast from The Blue Window, Jamaica Pegasus!

IMG-20180315-WA0000-1
Ackee & Saltfish, Callaloo and Escoveitch Fish with Green Banana and Plantain Mash

TGIF to this Jamaican style breakfast from The Blue Window Restaurant at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel! #SugaEndorsed

What are you having for breakfast this morning?

The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus

Location: 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5

Ph: 876-926-3690 – 5

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

20180401_125954.jpg

Two Spots Fail for Suga on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail

20180401_125954.jpg

Suga’s Ratings for Crystal Edge Restaurant

Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments: I went specifically for the Oxtail, but the quality has fallen off majorly. It lacked seasoning and did not slide off the bone this time, but still had good texture. Diners at another table were expressing the same sentiment. The taste of Coffee was lost in the Coffee infused Chicken. Both dishes in chipped plates were served with Steamed Vegetables and Rice and Peas, but were swimming in gravy. Mediocre service and food with a breathtaking view.

20180401_130217
Oxtail from Crystal Edge, Irish Town
20180401_130157-1
Crystal Edge’s Coffee Infused Chicken

Suga’s Ratings for Café Blue

Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★☆☆☆

Speed: ★★☆☆☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments:  Staff was pleasant but inattentive. Crystal Edge’s staff were seen more around that side than the Café Blue waitresses. Desserts were dry. We had the Chocolate Mocha Cake and Strawberry Cheesecake.

20180401_132838
Strawberry Cheesecake from Café Blue, Irish Town

For such a long commute, disappointing experience thankfully overshadowed by the picturesque view of the Blue Mountains with cool, fresh air and the taste of rich, authentic Blue Mountain Coffee.

20180401_122533-1
Cappuccino from Cafe Blue, Irish Town

After the boost of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival 1 week before my visit, I expected more from Crystal Edge and Café Blue. Hope they get back on track soon. Not worth the drive.

Did You Know?

Strawberry Hill is now charging $2500JMD at the gate to include a welcome drink if you do not have a booking or reservation.

I was passing by for a drink in between Breakfast and Lunch. So for persons like myself and others who happen to be nearby and spontaneously choose to stop and may end up staying for Lunch etc., I think an entry fee is ridiculous. It would be similar if The Jamaica Pegasus would charge you to enter.

Stay tuned next week to see where is worth the drive on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail!

Crystal Edge Restaurant

Location: Irish Town, St. Andrew

Ph: 876-944-8053

Opening Hours: Tues. – Sun. @ 9am – 7pm

_ _ _

Café Blue, Irish Town

Ph: 876-944-8918

Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri @ 8:30am-4:30pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked these Reviews, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

Screenshot_2018-03-23-19-15-33-2.png

Suga has Eyes on Cellar 8’s NEW Deck!

Screenshot_2018-03-23-19-15-33-2.png
Photo: Cellar 8

After being open for just a short period of time, the nightly hot spot in upper Manor Park, Cellar 8, now offers Saturday and Sunday Brunch and has outgrown its space. Who knew they could create more?!

Suga checked out their new, well furnished deck last Easter Sunday and will return on a day when the Wine Bar and Bistro is buzzing.

Stay tuned for their updated review!

Cellar 8 Wine Bar

Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza

Ph: 876-613-5934

Opening Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 4pm – 11pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Screenshot_2018-04-04-06-22-52-1

Lunch at Café El Centro!

Screenshot_2018-04-04-06-22-52-1
Smoked Marlin Salad ($1850JMD +tx)

Suga’s Ratings for Café El Centro

Date & Time of Visit: Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 2:15pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Décor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: Manager, Tina Newman continues to be an exceptional hostess, making you feel right at home. The Smoked Marlin Salad was tasty and quite filling for a salad. My Grilled Sea Trout that was made to order, came out in 20 minutes as I was told it would. It was well seasoned and cooked. The mango salsa complemented it well. I was given the option of potato mash instead of the bammy and also had a freshly tossed vegetable salad on the side with their house-made vinaigrette. Cosy spot with satisfactory service and food. Value for money. #SugaEndorsed

Screenshot_2018-04-04-06-24-36-1
Grilled Fish ($1800JMD +tx)

Café El Centro 

Location: 8 Hillcrest Avenue

Ph: 876-927-8415

Opening hours: 9am – 10pm

Email: [email protected]

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Review, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

20180323_082035.jpg

Suga has Eyes on the NEW Jablum Coffee House!

20180323_082035.jpg

Suga scoped out the new, Jablum Coffee House located on the grounds of NCB Twin Towers, by the intersection of Oxford Road and Old Hope Road last week.

It is still a work in progress. At the moment they only offer Coffee, Snacks and Pastries. I was informed Sandwiches are coming soon.

Screenshot_2018-03-28-16-12-53-1.png

Based on its central location, the Cafe has a lot of potential and should strive to live up to it. It is quite small, but still has seating available. Plasma screens display clearly what they have to offer along with costs. Prices were relatable to other Cafes. For instance, Iced Coffee costs about $600JMD.

Stay tuned to Suga Lifestyle to see what happens with Jablum Coffee House!

20180323_081924-1.jpg

Jablum Coffee House

Location: 1 Oxford Road. Kingston 5. (By NCB Twin Towers)

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Screenshot_2018-03-25-11-06-38-1

Fulfilling experience for Suga at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival

Screenshot_2018-03-25-11-06-38-1
Overlooking the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival’s Marketplace in Newcastle last Saturday, March 24, 2018. (Instagram Photo: Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages)

Coffee producers and baristas were out in their numbers last Saturday at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Marketplace in Newcastle, St. Andrew.

Many booths had hot coffee to keep patrons warm in the fog, such as Cafe Blue, Stoneleigh (Mavis Bank 100% Blue Mountain Coffee), Toyota Coffee House, Starbucks, Perk Up and Country Traders Limited (Coffee Roasters Blue Mountain Coffee).

Screenshot_2018-03-25-11-13-36-1-1

Cafe Blue also had their Milk and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans that I enjoy.

Screenshot_2018-03-24-23-27-01-1-1
Cafe Blue’s Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans (Photo: Suga Bear, Stephen Greig)

My husband enjoyed the smooth, hot brew offered by Perk up, from Flamstead Estate. Perk Up had a soft launch at the Coffee Festival, as they are planning to enter the market more competitively. They are currently at a few cafe outlets, including Shelly’s Cafe at U.T.E.C.H.

Deaf Can Coffee Baristas were there, brewing at 3 different tents including Cannonball Cafe and Jamaica Toyota Coffee House.

Screenshot_2018-03-25-11-03-50-1.png
Deaf Can Baristas at the Country Traders Ltd. booth (Instagram Photo: @deafcancoffee)

I was impressed with Cannonball Cafe that uses Jablum Coffee. They were the only ones I saw that offered Frappes and Coffee Martinis. I had the Caramel Crunch Cafe Frappe for just $300JMD. They had Paint and Sip for $1500JMD along with a free Espresso Martini overseeing a picturesque view too! There were cold brews from Cafe Blue and Stoneleigh, but I prefer Frappes.  Even though it was a cool atmosphere being up so high, the sun was still fully out and I warmed up after walking around the venue.

Cannonball’s coffee infused desserts were a treat too! My nieces and I enjoyed their Coffee and Chocolate Brownies for a steal of $100JMD, Mini Eclairs with Coffee infused cream ($300JMD) and Coffee Bread Pudding with Coffee glaze ($300JMD).

20180324_101826-1.jpg

Cannonball Cafe can be found in Barbican (Loshusan Centre), New Kingston (Barbados Ave.), Manor Park (Lower Manor Park Plaza) and Sovereign North Plaza.

Restaurants other than Cafe Blue that are on the Blue Mountain Culinary trail were out, such as Belcour Lodge with their line of Preserves and Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages. Blue Ridge had a tasty Coffee Cake for $300JMD.

The experienced and poised hostess, Emprezz kept the patrons well-informed throughout the day and presented prizes and surprises, hosted short interviews and more.

The suits of Tourism came out, shook hands and spoke to the patrons. Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlet along with his entourage, as well as Adam Stewart, Chairman of The Tourism Linkages Council were there. The council has been making great strides, developing projects to increase our influx of visitors to Jamaica via the Gastronomy network, Shopping, Health and Wellness, Sports and Entertainment and Knowledge. The Jamaica Coffee Festival Marketplace branched out across all these networks, with major focus on the Gastronomic Network. Key initiatives and Projects such as development of a Blue Mountain Coffee experience, strategic partnerships with other networks and the promotion of food festivals were all achieved. Kudos to them and the great turn out of patrons to support such an important initiative. Tickets were sold out!

If the endless amount of coffee wasn’t enough, Tarrus Riley entertained the crowd for over an hour!

CB Chicken, Copperwood Pork and Best Dressed Chicken were out to feed the masses. The Best Dressed Booth was quite popular with their Gourmet Hot dogs, loaded fries and more. I enjoyed their Jerked Chicken.

Island Blue, which you normally see in our hotels, displayed and sold their Jamaica Coffee Liqueurs from Baronhall Estate, Coffee Beans, Branded mugs and more.

20180324_103304-1
Farm to table Coffee Beans from Island Blue!

Kande’s Delights had long lines for ice cream including coffee flavours of course.

Various Arts & Crafts exhibitors were about, but one of the Skin Care exhibitors, I Love Sweetness Coffee Scrubs grabbed my attention with their body scrubs, scented soaps and skin tonics. Their representatives were quite knowledgeable about their products and marketed them well.

20180324_101040

There were representatives and Informative pamphlets from Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) on the story of Jamaican Coffee. Jamaican Coffee Recipes were available too.

Hollywell provided information on tours and events, signing persons up to receive information on events in the future too. They also had persons chatting up a storm about their Coffee Rice and Peas cooked by ‘Natural by Nature’ in their community.

Congratulations to the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Team. Great initiative, efficient use of space and well executed event. #SugaEndorsed

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

PhotoGrid_1521434382213.png

Suga has Pizza and Beer at Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria

PhotoGrid_1521434382213.png

Suga’s Ratings for Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria!

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★☆☆☆

Décor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments: Parking is far too tight for the entire Plaza. Definitely not a place for Wine with a limited selection, so I see why they seem to now go by Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria instead of Debut Fine Wine and Grill – Brick Oven Pizza. Good Service and filling, tasty Pizzas. Love the incorporation of spice. Affordable prices. Simple, cosy spot for lunch.

Suga visited Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria two Saturdays ago at about 3:45 pm.

Even though they are known mainly for Pizza and that is what I went there for, I browsed their menu and it had a variety of items other than Pizza at affordable prices. Appetizers such as Buffalo Wings, Spicy Nachos, Mozzarella sticks, Calamari and more are available in the range of $648 – $1298JMD.

There are Paninis for $998 – $1198JMD, Salads for $698 – $798JMD and Pastas for $1698 – $1998JMD.

Jamaican Specialties such as Jerked Chicken, Escoveitched and Steamed Fish, Pepper Shrimp and more are available for under $3000JMD.

Vegetarians are not left out. There are Veggie Cheese Kebabs, Veggie Pizza options and more. The Pizza Siciliana (Grilled Eggplant, capers, tomato sauce, mozzarella) and Pizza Manchurian (Veggie balls, tomato sauce, mozzarella) look like a treat, whether you are Vegetarian or not.

Most importantly, quite a variety of Pizzas are available in the range of $1398 – $1898JMD. You can pick, choose and refuse from the traditional Pepperoni, Hawaiian, Margherita and Jerk Chicken Pizzas or you can go with Pizzas that have more divine toppings such as the Pacifica (Smoked Pacific Salmon, capers, sour cream, tomato sauce) and Pizza Marinara (Shrimp, Calamari, Fish, tomato sauce and cheese). You can also customize your own Pizza with protein and veggies.

Dessert is available as well, but with limited options.

It was quite lonely when my husband, Randy and I went there, but we were told by our hospitable hostess that the place really comes alive at night and when the cruise ships come in. The Cafe that was two shops down

got a lot of traffic when I was there though.

Screenshot_2018-03-18-22-51-00-1.png
Indian Spiced Chicken – Chicken Tikka, Cheese, Green Pepper, Onion ($1498JMD)

Our Pizzas arrived within 20 minutes of ordering. Randy, who loves spice thoroughly enjoyed his Indian Spiced Chicken Pizza. I can confirm it was as good as it looks. It was a mouthful of spicy, flavourful and cheesy goodness, not just because I tasted it, but because he finished eating his Pizza before me. That’s a record! Indians own the restaurant, hence a few dishes showcasing Indian cuisine and the incorporation of Indian spices and flavoured protein toppings on the Pizzas.

20180303_162327
Pizza Meatza – Jerk Chicken, Pepperoni, Jerk Sausage, Onion ($1698JMD)

I had the Pizza Meatza, that was like a full house. It was stacked with Jerk Chicken, Pepperoni, Jerk Sausage and Onion. Scrumptious!

Refreshing Red Stripe Beers were the perfect combo with our Pizzas. Pizzas from Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria are #SugaEndorsed.

20180303_162247
Gabrielle a.k.a Suga and husband, Randy Burgess enjoying Pizza and Beer at Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria on Saturday, March 3, 2018.

***Prices quoted are before G.C.T***

Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria

Location: Shop #15 Bay Harbour Plaza (Next to Burger King); 1-3 Gloucester Ave. (Hip Strip), Montego Bay

Ph: 876-971-6566

Facebook: Debut Pizza

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.