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Suga is adding CPJ Deli to the Nyam & Scram Category

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CPJ Deli’s Discounted Lunch Special menu looks like Value for Money in RW’s Nyam and Scram Category. With a glass of vino included, you can’t really lose.

Check them out as well as the others from a previous post. Click on link below:

Suga’s 5 Nyam & Scram Picks

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Suga’s Visit to Sora Japanese and Savoury Picks for RW 2016!

Suga visited the newest Japanese Restaurant to date in Jamaica, Sora Japanese Sky Cuisine almost 3 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon at about 4:30pm.

It took a few flights of stairs to get to the top floor where it is located and I don’t remember seeing any options for persons with wheelchairs. I really did feel like I reached the sky. Nice, new, modern décor awaited and pleasant faces. I prefer the outside seating and loved that they had a Bar out there.

Their menus were extensive for Food, Drinks/Cocktails and Wine. They had a special on Hardy’s wine (Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Moscato) from Select Brands for $450/glass and $1850/bottle which is probably much less compared to other Restaurants and Bars for decent enough Wine.

The name of our waiter slipped my memory but he offered excellent service. They have a buzzer for each table as well.

I would have preferred for Food to arrive quicker but it was still within a reasonable time.

Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and I was happy with his suggested Appetizer of Seafood Sumiso ($820JMD) -Boiled Shrimp & Scallops in a nice homemade Vinegar Miso Sauce that complemented it well.

Seafood Sumiso

My husband and I also had Miso Soup ($280JMD), Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura ($1750JMD), the Philly Roll ($1050JMD), California Roll ($730JMD) and another roll.

We didn’t expect the Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura to be all fried into one, meaning you couldn’t see the vegetables. So that was a bit disappointing but the Rolls were good as expected.

We topped dinner off with the Oreo rare Cheesecake ($780JMD) that was lovely and actually tasted homemade.

In terms of prices, they are comparable to the other Japanese Restaurants with regards to food. So basically, high metabolism folks like myself would have to order multiple dishes to feel satisfied because 1 Japanese dish/entrée in general is not filling enough, which racks up your bill.

Suga had a pleasant visit and will return.

***Note that Sora will be participating in Restaurant Week (RW) in the Savoury ($2800JMD) category (excluding Bar, Service and G.C T) and is recommended by Suga.

Sora Japanese Sky Cuisine

(Reservations Recommended)

Location: 9-11 Phoenix Avenue. Kingston

Ph: 876-649-0131; 876-649-0132

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30am-11pm

*Closed on Sundays*

Some more Savoury Picks from Suga for RW! :

Other than Sora Japanese, in Kingston, Suga selected Fromage Gourmet Bistro and The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach.

Suga did not select any Indian Restaurants in this Category because if you are going to go with Indian, why go halfway? Go all out in the Delectable Category.

Fromage Gourmet Bistro has consistently good food and service. Their menu of Steak, Crab stuffed Chicken, Lasagna Florentine is quite inviting.

The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach’s Smoked Pork Chops are delish! They do large servings that taste good. Great value for money.

For the 2nd city, Montego Bay, Suga’s pick is the good old Pelican Grill, where the Surf and Turf should be a pleaser.

For Ocho Rios, if Suga were to choose what looks like good gambles, I would go with Caffe da Vinci Ochi that suits Vegetarions, Meat lovers and Seafood lovers and the Great Escape Restaurant at Runaway Bay Golf Club.

***For Reservations***

● Fromage Gourmet Bistro

Location: 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston

Ph: 876-622-9856; 876-927-7062

● The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach

Location: 2 Brompton Rd., Kingston 5

Ph: 876-630-4571; 876-630-4163

● Pelican Grill

Location: Gloucester Avenue Strip, Montego Bay

Ph: 876-952-3171

● Caffe da Vinci (Ocho Rios)

Location: 7/13 Turtle River Road. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-630-7025

● Great Escape Restaurant, Runaway Bay Golf Club

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-973-4239

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Where to Reserve your Tables for RW’s Delectable Category!

Suga could not select a clear #1 choice for RW’s Delectable Category ($3800JMD excl. Bar, GCT, Service charge) this year because of the difference in Cuisines.

So Suga’s Top 2 picks are the relatively new kid on the block, Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine in Kingston and the always outstanding, Houseboat Grill in Montego Bay based on their menus and in turn value for money, ambience, décor and service.

The Surf and Turf from The Houseboat Grill should be to die for!

Remember that the Delectable and Epicurean categories are excellent considerations for Date nights or to dress up and go out with Friends and Family. Shampoo!

Dinner from Nirvanna last December 2015!

Chicken with Spinach, Chicken with Fenugreek and a RW 2016 Menu item, Tikka Masala

For Kingston, the runner-up choice for me is Redbones Blues Café. They do a lovely Lobster Pasta. I expect more of the same from Majestic and Whitebones so did not consider them. The Restaurants listed under Kingston should be revised for this Category.

The runner-up for Montego Bay is the new, Mystic Thai. I think they could do better with their menu based on what they are capable of offering though.

For Ocho Rios, I gave Evita’s Italian Restaurant the edge over Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove for those that haven’t visited Evita’s in years. Both have good service and food but Christopher’s has the better view if seated outside. So Christopher’s is known for delicious, authentic food with a seaside view but even though the menu for Evita’s seems more of the same, their Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine was one of my most memorable and favourite RW dishes to date. Whole Lobster in the shell tossed with Baby Shrimp and Lobster meat! The Salmon Risotto was lovely as well.

Evita’s RW 2014!

Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine

***For Reservations***

● The Houseboat Grill

Location: Montego Freeport, St. James. Montego Bay

Ph: 876-979-8845

● Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

Location: Unit 1, 80 Lady Musgrave, Kingston 10

Ph: 876-927-9077; 876-927-9634

● Evita’s Italian Restaurant

Location: Eden Bower Road. St. Ann. Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-974-1012;876-974-2333

● Redbones Blues Café

Location: 1 Argyle Road. Kingston 10

Ph: 876-978-6091

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Where to Make Reservations for Epicurean for Restaurant Week Jamaica 2016!

TGIF! We have 1 week to go until Restaurant Week Jamaica (RW) starts next Friday, November 11 and runs through to Saturday, November 19th.

The Epicurean Category ($4310JMD excluding Bar, GCT, Service Charge) has been a drag with the same Restaurants every year so Suga is excited to make the new addition, L’Escargot in Ocho Rios the top pick overall for Epicurean this year.

L’Escargot has been on my ‘Places to Go’ list for some time and their menu looks inviting. Their signature Escargots sautéed in garlic butter, herbs and white wine is highly anticipated for the Appetizer. I am wondering how it will compare to the famous, award winning Toscanini Italian Restaurant that is also in Ocho Rios. There are choices of Smoked Blue Marlin or Sautéed Sea Scallops as well.

Lamb Chops, Fillet Mignon and Grilled Giant Prawns are the salivating Entrée choices.

Créme brulee, Créme caramel and Chocolate mousse are the choices for Dessert.

Do you have your passport Suga Bears? Ochi here I come!

For those who are doubling up or can’t make it to Ocho Rios for RW, my top pick for Kingston is Rojo Restaurant at the Spanish Court Hotel, which strives to give consistently great service and serve consistently good quality food compared to Terra Nova. Terra Nova usually lives up to their polished reputation for Restaurant Week but Rojo’s menu is Suga’s preferred choice.

Fling Back Friday (#fbf) to RW 2013 at Rojo Restaurant

Marguerites Seafood by the Sea, which was my choice last year, is my top pick this year for Montego Bay. The menus from Sugar Mill and Restaurant at Round Hill haven’t grabbed me. I love that Marguerites revised their RW menu. The Pepper Steak Moderne accompanied by a Caribbean risotto topped with oxtail ragout should be a treat. I was thoroughly impressed by my visit last year, which was perfection.

#fbf RW 2015 at Marguerites!

***For Reservations***

● L’Escargot

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 973-5652; 973-5589

● Rojo Restaurant at The Spanish Court Hotel

Location: 1 St. Lucia Avenue. Kingston.

Ph: 926-0000

● Marguerites Seafood By the Sea

Cloucester Avenue, Montego Bay

Ph: 952-4777

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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15th Street Fisheries in Florida by the Sea!

Suga visited 15th Street Fisheries in Florida over Heroes Weekend a few weeks ago.

I heard many good things about it and loved that they were by the water with a view, offering freshly grilled Fish. They have different menus for Upstairs and Downstairs, where Downstairs is more casual and Upstairs is Reservations only with a more tempting and pricey menu.

My reservation was for a group of 9 on October 15th, a Saturday night at 8:00pm. We were a bit late but they were ready for us nonetheless. We were greeted pleasantly and taken upstairs and seated by our table which was right by the window. Loved the view and activity of boats docking and leaving. The Restaurant was comfortable with rustic décor including old boats, anchors, bottles with chains, lanterns and more. 

The menu had an insane variety of Seafood dishes to choose from for both Appetizers and Entrees. There were options such as Grilled New York Strip, Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef and Grilled Chicken Breast for the Meat lovers. A Wine menu was available as well.

The Appetizers came out a bit after 20 minutes, so could have been quicker. We weren’t blown away by the taste of the Appetizers. The Crab Cakes ($16USD) were decent. The Red Shrimp Cocktail ($16USD) had a homemade cocktail sauce that was a bit too tangy, overpowering the shrimp, fresh salsa and cucumber strings. Two of us that ordered the Soup Du Jour ($8USD), a Bahamian style Conch Chowder, were not too fond of it. To me it tasted like a thick Canned soup. 

Fisheries Salad

The Fisheries Salad ($10USD), however was the winner. It was a huge, tasty salad filled with Romaine lettuce, Wild Florida Rock Shrimp, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Sliced Almonds, Fresh Strawberries and Papaya Chutney Dressing.

Dry Rubbed Mahi Mahi

Thankfully, the Entrees were a complete 180 in quality compared to the disappointing Appetizers.

I had the Dry Rubbed Mahi Mahi ($32USD) with crab fried rice, sautéed brocolini and brandy blackened cream sauce. The crab fried rice infused with the brandy blackened cream sauce excited my taste buds. My Mahi Mahi was well cooked and I enjoyed it.

Everyone else was happy with their Entrees as well. Some of which included Sautéed Red Shrimp ($34USD), Spiny Lobster Tail ($37USD) and Pan Roasted Black Grouper ($35USD). I have to highlight that the Pan Roasted Black Grouper was served with red and golden quinoa, wild mushroom, baby clam meat, white Vermont cheddar cheese, lobster sherry cream sauce and potato crisps. It was absolutely fantastic. 

Entrée Servings were large, the Seafood was fresh, well cooked and the flavours were amazing.

At this point, everyone was quite full and content and had no capacity for Dessert. However, there is always one or 2 with a high metabolism like me with the desire to share a huge dessert. 

Their Dessert menu, including Gluten free options was way too tempting. They had Dessert Martinis, Coffee Drinks and Ports/Dessert Wine listed in addition to Créme Brulee, Cheesecake, Sorbets, Brownies and more!

Of course when I saw Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding ($10USD) with White Chocolate Sauce, Anglaise, served with Vanilla Ice Cream and fresh berries, I could not refuse.

Voilà! Ok it still wasn’t a Fromage Gourmet Bread Pudding but it was divine!

Lemon Blueberry Bread Pudding

Our waiter needed to touch up on his housekeeping manners towards the end of dinner but we did not allow it to spoil our night and the Managers dealt with and appeased the situation accordingly. 

The night may not have been perfect but we were full with delicious Entrees, great conversation and absolutely delicious dessert to top it off. 

Suga would return for sure.

15th Street Fisheries

Location: 1900 SE 15th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, USA

Ph: 954-763-2777


By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Suga’s 5 Nyam & Scram Picks

Get ready to get your Lunch in Kingston in a quick and reasonable fashion during Restaurant Week (RW) Jamaica 2016 from Friday, November 11 to Saturday, November 19.

Suga’s 5 picks for the Nyam & Scram Category are:

Photo for Cannonball Cafe: www.go-jamaica.com/rw/

● Cannonball Cafe located in Manor Park, Sovereign North, Loshusan-Barbican and the 3M Building-New Kingston

Decent RW Combos of Soups, Wraps/Salads/Paninis with a side and Coffee

Prices range from $896 – $1211.

● Devon House Cafe in Devon House

Offering reasonable RW Combos similar to Cannonball including Waffles with Eggs and Chicken Pastrami/Wraps/Paninis with Salad/Chips and Smoothies/Shakes/Coffee

Photo for Devon House Cafe: www.go-jamaica.com/rw/

Prices range from $630-$957.

● Nirvanna (Indian Fusion Cuisine) on 80 Lady Musgrave Avenue have RW Combos ranging from $1100-$1300 including Fusion dishes.

● The Brick Oven on Hope Road beside TGIF will be offering $600 RW Combos including a Chicken Wrap, Fish Sandwich and Vegetarian Patty, Soup/Soda and a Dessert option.

● Triple T’z Eatery on Annette Crescent will be having RW Combos for less than $1000. There will be a Lobster and Fish Combo + sides with Vegetable soup and a Chicken and Curried Goat Combo with Vegetable soup.

***Remember prices are per person and do not include G.C.T, Beverages or Service tax unless otherwise stated in RW Combo.

Information and Menus available on:

www.go-jamaica.com/rw/

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Restaurant Week Jamaica 2016 is almost here!

Jamaica Food and Drink Festival has come and gone. Brunch at The Gallery was quite memorable for patrons yesterday. Now on to the next!

Lobster Flambé at Restaurant Week Jamaica 2015 from Marguerites, Montego Bay

Restaurant Week Jamaica starts Friday, November 11 and ends Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Here are your categories. Suga’s picks coming soon!

Source: go-jamaica.com/rw/

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Cellar 8 is the new Hot Spot UPtown!

There is a new Bar in town that the uptowners of Kingston are raving about. Cellar 8 Wine Bar! Its location in Upper Manor Park where Training Camp used to be, is close to home for most of the persons who were quick to stop by last weekend.

Suga visited last Saturday evening with husband and friend and was delighted to see the tasteful, modern decor from ceiling to floor. There was comfortable seating downstairs and a lounge area upstairs.

Service was on point all around. If we followed our waitress, we would have tried everything on the menu and drank out the bar as well.

One of the teething pains for them though, is the Wine List, which probably should have been their priority seeing that they have named themselves a Wine Bar. Just about 6 Wines were listed on the menu with reasonable prices by the Glass ($700-$950JMD) and Bottle. However, there was an entire wall with Wines to choose from that you were encouraged to walk over to if you desired to do so. If persons were seated by the wall you would not want to invade their privacy or space though. They explained that this issue would be sorted out soon.

Spirits were offered by the cue. V/X for $1100JMD, Overproof for $1200JMD and Johnnie Walker for $1800JMD to give you an idea.

Cocktails were also on the menu such as Mojitos ($800JMD), the Classic Martini ($900JMD) and more.

Persons can go for dinner as well with dishes that pair well with Wines such as Lamb Chops ($2100JMD), Basa Fillet ($1700JMD), Steak ($2500JMD), Pastas ($1400-$1800JMD), Pizzas ($1000-$1200ZJMD) and on the lighter side, Salads ($1000-$1100).

A friend was not happy with her Basa Fillet, which was communicated to her waiter and the Manager. It was described as slippery and slimy, served in small bites with a lot of skin on it, all overpowered by the cream sauce. Apologies everything could not be sugar-coated folks.

The portion of Steak served to her other half was described as quite small for the cost.

With that aside, feedback from others was extremely positive. They not only salivated over the food but it was refreshing to have it come out so fast after ordering in a room full of people. I was very happy to experience and observe that and I hope they keep it up.

Of course, if you didn’t just go for just drinks or dinner, after a couple glasses you are ready to order some tasty bites. Their Signature dish, Oxtail Tacos screamed out at me from the menu and I had no regrets! Delish!

Oxtail Tacos ($1300JMD)

We also had the Chimichuri Angus Beef Sliders that was fantastic as well.

Chimichuri Angus Beef Sliders ($1200JMD)

Wedges, Wings, Mac and Cheese, Pork Sliders, Fine Roasted Thai Shrimp and more in the range of $450-$1700JMD were offered too.

The wide variety of options on the Menu were listed with the Prices subject to G.C.T.

A bar close to home is both a good and bad thing, but I think this one is here to stay. I will be returning for sure.

Word is, last Friday night was so full, everyone could not be seated. There was no need to worry though, because there was a lot of standing room. They enjoyed the vibe, their drinks and conversation. Most importantly, conversation. I was quite pleased that the music was low so I could have and enjoy a good conversation, which is lacking at many bars nowadays.

Cellar 8 Wine Bar was described as being ‘So New York!’.

Have fun checking this one out!

Cellar 8 Wine Bar

Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza

Ph: 876-613-5934

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

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Old Hope Road’s Hidden Oasis, Olive Cove Cafe

Suga has had a growing list of foodie spots to hit and last Saturday, the Olive Cove Cafe was a must because of knowledge of future unhealthy bites to come over the weekend.

I arrived at Olive Cove Cafe at 4:45pm. It is across from Toyota Jamaica on Old Hope Road. Parking looks like it may be a challenge during the busy breakfast and lunch hour in the work week but it was quite accessible that day as they say traffic to the Restaurant is less on Saturdays.

There are stairs leading down to the Cafe from the side of the road. It is quite small and quaint on the inside with such lovely use of decor, namely light fixtures, branding, shelves and comfortable seating in a limited space with air conditioning.

Below: Gabby from Suga Lifestyle waiting on her food to arrive

I met my husband there for a very late lunch. Service was great. Our waitress was very polite, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and how the various dishes were prepared.

Their Wraps have been heavily marketed on Instagram, as well as Smoothies, Shakes and Cooked dishes including custom orders.

I still don’t get the concept of frying fish and putting it in a Wrap. Most restaurants I know do that then try to pass it off as healthy and it is not.

Anyhow, we were in the mood for something a bit more filling. Most places not only add too much sauce to Brown Stew Fish, but an oily one so I was sceptical about ordering that and went with the Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry despite our waitress’s positive recommendation. My husband ordered the Brown Stew Fish. Both dishes came with brown rice! Thanks Olive Cove. Much appreciated.

Food came out in standard time. The Chicken in the Stir Fry was a bit too dry without the sauce. But once you added it, the flavour was tasty. The waitress’s recommendation was on point though! My husband’s Brown Stew Fish was very savoury. The sauce was light and was not overpowering or oily at all.

Tasty, filling food with a healthy touch for affordable prices. Definitely value for money.

Looking forward to trying their Shakes and Smoothies!

Top: Brown Stew Fish ($680JMD incl. Tx); Below: Chicken & Veg. Stir Fry ($650JMD incl. tax)

***Bring cash only. Their Point of Sale machine application is still being processed.

Olive Cove Cafe

94M Old Hope Road. Kingston 6.

876-995-9903; 876-390-9833

Instagram Page: @the_olivecove

Opening Hours: 8am-5:30pm

Deliveries: 10am-1pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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