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
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.
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!
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).
Cafe Blue also had their Milk and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans that I enjoy.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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
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Comments:Â 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.
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.
Lamb Chops in Mint Gastrique from Steak House on the Verandah
Salivating Lamb Chops in Mint Gastrique from Steak House on the Verandah!
What’s Gastrique? A sweet-and-sour sauce, where sugar or sometimes honey is caramelized and combined with the same portion of vinegar, ultimately making a slightly thickened syrup after it’s reduced.
Go get those Lamb chops and have a great weekend!
Steak House on the Verandah
***Reservations Recommended***
Location: Devon House
Ph: 876-616-8833
Facebook: @steakhouseja
Instagram: @thesteakhouseja
Opening Hours:
Mon. to Thurs. @ 12 noon – 9:30 pm
Fri. & Sat. @ 12 noon – 10:30 pm
***Closed on Sundays***Â
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Comments:Â Great Service and Authentic Thai Cuisine dishes infused with a well-balanced variety of herbs, spices and flavours in satisfactory portions for affordable prices. Ambience and lighting for a romantic dinner, but also a neat spot to meet for lunch or dinner with family and/or friends over drinks.
I challenged Mystic Thai in Montego Bay to cook me Pig Ears Thai style and they did not disappoint!
I visited Mystic Thai two weekends ago to not only try the Pig Ear dish prepared for me, but to also enjoy other dishes for dinner on Saturday night at about 8:45pm with my husband, Randy who does not eat pork.
Randy started off with a fiery Tom Yum Vegetable Soup ($4USD), which was a mixture of lemon grass, Thai herbs and chilli paste. It’s not for the light-hearted. It was a burst of flavour defining all herbs that later offered the taste buds some relief with the cool, minty effect of lemon grass.
He then enjoyed the Crispy Fried Okra Appetizer ($8USD) that I highly recommended.
In my last article on Pig Ears, I took my readers through several countries and how they usually prepare Pig Ears for their cuisines. So I wasn’t surprised when Chef Bansi Joshi came to our table presenting a Pig Ears Salad. The Pig Ears were boiled first, then cut longitudinally and deep-fried.
Pig Ears Salad with lemon juice, cilantro, scallion, tomato and onion.
I thought that was going to be it, but out came another Pig Ears dish!
Kapow style Pig Ears with Thai Chilli, garlic and other spices.
This time the Pig Ears arrived Kapow style, that is, based in soy sauce and cooked with garlic, chilli and other spices. I am not a fan of soy sauce, but appreciated the spicy flavour brought on by the Thai Chilli that accompanied it, along with other added spices. It was sweet, then immediately followed by a hit of spicy.
The Pig Ears had a bit of crisp and slightly rubbery texture as expected for both dishes and they were prepared the same way. I preferred the Salad that was lighter with a more highlighted taste and texture of the Pig Ears, along with the refreshing taste of lemon juice and cilantro.
I actually could not accommodate much more food. I had a few of my delish Shrimps in Panang curry, then sampled a bit of Randy’s Basil Naan and Lobster in Red Thai Curry. The Lobster was tasty, meaty and its sauce complemented it well.
A. Shrimp in Panang Curry based in Red Chillies and Peanuts topped off with coconut cream sauce ($14USD) B. Basil Naan ($3USD) C. Lobster in Red Thai Curry, a blend of Dried Red Chillies, Kaffir Lime rind, Coriander root and Cumin ($18USD)
We were both stuffed and satisfied, especially after the gastronomic day we had, but I ensured space was made for the Fruit and Nut Chocolate Naan that I missed out on the last time I visited. I am paying for that Nutella at the gym right now but it was worth it!
Fruit and Nut Chocolate Naan
Suga snaps to Owner, Kareena Mahbubani for taking on and facilitating my Pig Ears challenge, Chef Bansi for great execution and the staff for their usual great hospitality and attentiveness.
Hope to visit again soon! #SugaEndorsed
Mystic Thai (Asian & Thai Cuisine)
Location: B11 – Fairview Towne Centre Unit, Montego Bay
Miss T happily cuts the ribbon to officially open ‘Di Wine Yaad’ (Instagram Photo: @misstskitchen)
Two Sundays ago, February 25, 2018, Anna-Kay Tomlinson, familiarly known as Miss T, officially opened ‘Di Wine Yaad’ on the same compound as her authentic Jamaican cuisine restaurant, Miss T’s Kitchen.
Suga and hubby, Randy passed by last Sunday at about 3:30pm to check out the new spot. I was greeted by cosy rocking chairs on the verandah, perfect for kicking back and sipping some vino.
The server inside was professional, but not hospitable. She answered questions abruptly and did not enquire about our wine preference in order to inform us about what was available for our preferred palate.
Wine is only available by the bottle for the time being and the Menu is currently in the making. Of course, Oxtail should be included. Miss T has the reputation for having the best Oxtail on the island, although Crystal Edge in Irish Town by Cafe Blue is stiff competition.
Di Wine Yaad already has an Instagram page with a teaser of Crispy Wonton Oxtail and Goat Cheese Ravioli that might be offered to pair with wine in the near future.
I will revisit when the Menu is ready! In the mean time, I just ordered the Oxtail Mania Appetizer from Miss T’s Kitchen to munch on before heading back to town. I wasn’t hungry, but was repeatedly warned about its small serving size by the staff. It was indeed small, but did not disappoint. Flavourful, well textured and seasoned Oxtail as usual.
Boneless Oxtail on Cocoa Bread – $1098JMD incl. tax
Miss T’s Kitchen; Miss T’s Wine Yaad
Location: 65 Main Street, Ocho Rios. St. Ann. Jamaica
South Beach is where it all went down for Foodies and Wine enthusiasts last weekend at the 17th annual Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF)!
It was a 5-day destination event in Miami from February 21-25, showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits’ producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Guy Fieri, Bobby Flay, Emeril and more were there!
The Festival had many high-end events, including elaborate dinners and brunches, but also had events that costed less than $100US to attend. Whichever patrons chose, it definitely looked like value for money. The Festival is also for a good cause, as it benefits the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University (FIU) and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center.
Over 1000 students get the opportunity to work at the Festival each year and the experience they gain is invaluable for their future in the hospitality field.
To date, the Festival has raised more than $26 million US for the School.
Let me show you a few of Suga’s favourite teasers that should have been palate pleasers. You can also note the Restaurants responsible to pay them a visit soon in Miami!
Ceviche Ceviche Ceviche!
Agung Miami Beach’s Ceviche! (Photo: Agung Miami Beach)
Sushi like you’ve never seen it before!
Omakase Plate from Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill (Instagram Photo: @jasoneats)
A mountain of Tuna Tatake!
Tuna Tataki is a lightly seared yellowfin or ahi tuna that is served rare with a citrus based soy sauce.
Tuna Tatake from Moshi Moshi Japanese in Miami, Florida (Instagram Photo: @goodeatsmeets)
How about some aged Ribeye on a skewer?!
Aged Ribeye with spicy Garlic sauce from Byblos Miami Mediterranean Restaurant (Photo: @jasoneats)
Topping things off with Dessert!Â
There were cascading doughnuts, gelato in probably every flavour and more at SOBEWFF.
Honeybee Doughnuts Miami at the Southern Kitchen Brunch hosted by Trisha Yearwood, part of the NY Times Cooking series at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel (Photo: Honeybee Doughnuts Miami)
Suga’s friends and others that went to the Festival said there was every kind of food and wine you could think of, an absolutely gastronomical, star-studded, international event.
If you missed the Festival this year like myself, you should definitely put it on your calendar for 2019!
The Food Network and Cooking Channel’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Eat. Drink. Educate
Website: www.sobewff.org
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @sobewffestÂ
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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The Ministry of Tourism and The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be hosting a Festival for Jamaica’s flagship Blue Mountain Coffee this March 23-25, 2018 in New Castle, St. Andrew.
They promise an immersive experience from farm to cup and table!
