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Tea Tree’s Crappy Service but Good Crêpes

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

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My fiancé and I visited Tea Tree’s fairly new location on Lady Musgrave Rd. for a lunch date last Saturday afternoon at about 4:00pm. The staff greeted us nicely and we chose to sit outside. Though inside was lovely with the AC, outside was cool as well, had comfortable seating and a quiet ambience with light, modern music. We were waiting for a little while and wondered why because we thought the waitress would walk with us and hand us the menu. She came out without the menu and when I told her I thought she was bringing it out she responded that she was going to clean the table first because it gets dusty out there sometimes. That could have been done simultaneously. I certainly do not need to rest the menu on the table to read it. On the other hand, if the table was not prepared, she should have asked us to wait a few minutes for her to ensure it was, seat us and then provide the menu. Perhaps more training is needed?

We were left with the menu for some time to make a decision. The waitress returned and took our orders, but to my disappointment there was no Guacamole for the White Corn chips and no Gluten-free OR Vegan Crêpes available. That should have been mentioned when we were given our menus. Luckily we were people with a flexible diet. So we ordered the Hummus and Pesto Pita Chips instead, the Chicken au Poulet Crêpe (Chicken breast, mushrooms, white wine dill sauce and mozzarella) and Beef Stroganoff Crêpe (mushrooms, onions, creamy stroganoff with beef tenderloin).

The appetizer arrived quickly with the boring waitress and it was alright. The Crêpes arrived in reasonable time afterwards and looked like huge servings. Huge servings they were because I was full when I was finished. Compared to my visit at the previous location, the Crêpes were now more filling and tastier. Service was better then though. The flavour of the creamy stroganoff and mushrooms was especially delightful, complementing the fork-tender beef quite well. As we were chatting and enjoying our Crêpes, we noticed that we were not given a Drink menu. We requested one and they did not have any mint leaves to make their popular Magic Mint lemonade. Really?! What did they have? Someone needs to do a proper inventory and have a chat with some local farmers if the crop isn’t meeting the demand. So I had a plain lemonade that was not as refreshing, but filled the void that water could not.

A different waiter came to us, a quite charming young man unlike the dull waitress before, asking if everything was ok and if we needed anything else. Was he for the night crowd? What a difference! I didn’t get his name but I know our experience would have been much better with him. Anyhow, we asked for the bill, then I decided before I left I would leave ‘Suga Lifestyle’ along with something I liked on the glass window. Space was limited but there was some high up. The waiter gave me the cup of markers, I took one and he brought the ladder. Being just 5ft 4″, I realized with the long stretch that if I wrote in common letters it would not be legible so just decided I was going to write ‘Suga Lifestyle’ in all caps and leave it at that. As I was doing so, I was shouted at across the room to keep it small. Based on the tone used, the fact that I wasn’t a 5 year old and knowing that they would soon run out of space anyway, I quickly finished writing in the one line I planned to and started to step down to hear the same nagging voice closer behind me, apparently one of the ladies in charge, saying just to put a signature etc., also asking what I wrote. I enlightened her that it was just Suga Lifestyle, I do reviews and walked out the door. Sadly I couldn’t leave right away because we needed to pay the bill. The silver lining so I wouldn’t leave completely annoyed? I got my Pop-Up Gourmet Discount and left with a full, satisfied tummy.

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Tea Tree Crêperie Sweets & Savouries

Location: 80 Lady Musgrave Rd. Unit #2. Kingston 10, Jamaica 

Ph.: 876-978-7333 

Email: [email protected]

Website (includes menu): www.teatreecreperie.com

COST: $800JMD + $300JMD delivery charge

Throwback Tuesday to Suga’s Lunch from Hungry Eyes!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings
COST: $800JMD + $300JMD delivery charge
COST: $800JMD + $300JMD delivery charge

Lunch last Wednesday, August 5th was great to prep for the holiday. The menu that caught my eyes included Tumeric Vegetable soup and a Salad bowl with Callaloo cous cous, Seasoned plantain, Rosemary 5-spice Garbanzo beans, Carrot spaghetti, Pumpkin seed mix and SOBA noodles.

My order was on time as usual. Packaging and Presentation certainly appealed to my eyes.Then the food? The use of herbs, greens and spices were on point.

The Garbanzo beans were herby with a bit of sweet. So the raisins were a nice touch.  The Plantain was delicious! I wanted more. Now, cous cous is extremely hard to flavour. The trick is to add a little lime or lemon juice amongst other things. The Callaloo could have been a good mix for it, however it was kind of bland and didn’t add much to it. But there were so many other exciting things in the salad bowl to mix it with if that failed. For instance, Carrot spaghetti?! What is that? It was not actual spaghetti, the carrot was peeled to look like spaghetti. Very creative. It was tasty and sweet. The SOBA noodles added some soft fibre and there was still more. Kale and corn completed the bowl.

Well done Hungry Eyes!

Deliver Lunch: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Ph.: 876-325-8509

Instagram: Hungry Eyes ‘EYESEATTOO’

Website: [email protected]

Persons can sign up to get weekly menus from [email protected]. Order the night before or by 9am on the morning of.

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Lots to Explore with NK Deli in New Kingston Shopping Centre!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

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NK Deli located upstairs (same side as the Pharmacy) in New Kingston Shopping Centre at 30 Dominica Drive, is quite a reasonable, central lunch spot. Definitely better than spending twice the money downstairs at Cuddy’z Sports Bar & Restaurant for possible bad service and poor quality food. Don’t even think of going to the other two restaurants upstairs across from the Deli either (Glow Food and N & R Restaurant). They are horrible.

Last Saturday, about 3:25pm, I went to the Deli for lunch. It had a nice layout with indoor and outdoor seating. Limited indoor seating with AC! Outdoors had sufficient fans blowing cool air. Lovely.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted the Grilled Chicken or Jerked Chicken Wrap, so I asked the cashier for advice. She was quite unpleasant and eventually mumbled, maybe the Grilled Chicken Wrap ($475+tx). So I ordered that and my friend ordered the Grilled Chicken Panini ($560+tx), both with a serving of fries (additional cost). Looking around, the Deli supports local products and distributors by having Chocolate Bars, Spreads and more available from Mount Pleasant Farm Chocolatiers, who have previously been promoted on Suga Lifestyle. A small range of Snacks are also available for purchase, healthy and unhealthy, along with Wine and a decadent looking Cheesecake that is prepared fresh daily.

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In about 20 minutes (I thought it could be a bit quicker based on our order), our server came with our orders in styrofoam boxes and saw the look on our faces, realizing that we did not want our order to-go. She asked if the cashier did not ask our preference and I responded that she was quite unpleasant and did no such thing. The server and owner on the other hand, were the total opposite, pleasant and professional. Our server apologized for the inconvenience. Note, one must avoid eating and drinking from styrofoam boxes and cups as much as possible. They are toxic to the environment and rumoured to be harmful to your health.

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Anyhow, my Grilled Chicken Wrap was just OK. It would cater more to rabbits, you know, way too much lettuce in a Spinach Wrap. More chicken please. It was actually somewhat filling though. Restaurants need to play around with their greens more and mix it up a little. Lettuce does not need to be used all the time. There is Arugula, Spinach, Kale, Cilantro and more to add a kick to the flavour of the Wrap or Sandwich.

I wish I ordered the Grilled Chicken Panini though. I tasted it and it was good, with a lovely sauce. Their Cheeseburger and wedges, which I have had before are also quite tasty. Their Fruit Smoothie is very sweet, even with white rum.  Their fries? Bland. They perhaps should try some seasoned fries or add a bit more salt. I had to add salt myself. However, I am looking forward to trying their Jamaican lunch that is quite affordable. Buffet Fried Chicken and Curried Goat were available for $350JMD each! Soup is available as well as many other items such as Wings, Pastas, Pizzas, Pork Chops, Omelettes, Bagels etc. So a pleasing range of items for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

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I have visited NK Deli for their Friday Lymes but wanted to see the regular work day flow. It seems to be great if you want to just get in and out with a decent, affordable meal or even just have a small lunch time link up with someone. The Friday Lyme is quite a mature crowd, however they have started to do Latin nights on some of the Fridays now. Suga may check out one of them and give you the low down. Definitely more to explore at NK Deli. They are open from 7am to 5pm on week days and 12pm to 5pm on Saturdays.

For more information call 876-754-8714.

Instagram: NK_DELI

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Tonight is Italian Dinner Buffet at The Blue Window!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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If you haven’t already seen the review, check out last Tuesday’s post on http://www.sugalifestyle.com or click on the link below:

Italian Dinner Buffet for ~$2530 to $3450JMD incl. GCT + Serv. charge at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus every Thursday!

Reservations recommended. Call 876-926-3690.

Also, follow their active Instagram page, @jamaicapegasus to keep up to date with upcoming events, highlighted dishes etc.

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Wholesome Cafe Doubles for Lunch!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Visit Wholesome Cafe in the Digicel building in Downtown, Kingston for delicious Trinidad Doubles finished with cilantro and served with salad for $800JMD. The menu changes daily so follow their Facebook Page, Wholesome Cafe to get daily updates.

You can usually count on finding at least 1 healthy dish as well, for instance, Grilled Fish served with Plantain and Roasted Potatoes for $750JMD or a Chicken and Hummus Salad finished with Feta for $900JMD.

If not feeling so health conscious, you can also be satisfied with Stew Peas and Pigtail for $650JMD or BBQ Chicken for $500JMD.

Prices generally range from $500 – $900JMD for a wholesome meal, no pun intended.

Check them out and as they say, Have a Wholesome Day!

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Italian Dinner Buffet for ~$2530 to $3450JMD incl. GCT + Serv. charge at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus every Thursday!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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After being impressed over and over by The Blue Window Restaurant at the Jamaica Pegasus, whether it’s their sizzling Tuesday night Grill by the pool, their Sunday Brunch, a regular dinner night or their catering for various functions in the building, I had a small amount of doubt when I heard about Italian night. Most restaurants in Jamaica that claim to offer Italian cuisine are hardly ever authentic, thinking that cooking store-bought pasta with any type of cheese is enough. I have Toscanini Italian Restaurant and Bar in Ocho Rios as the most reputable, authentic Italian restaurant on the island. Evita’s Italian Restaurant, also in Ocho Rios, has had its ups and downs. Huge, positive difference when Eva Myers is present. Caffé da Vinci in Kingston has been doing well recently as well.

Last Thursday, my fiancé and I arrived at Italian night at 8:15pm and I was eager to see what was on the menu. The restaurant had a homey, Mediterranean Old World, Italian Style decor with light Italian music in the background and red and white plaid table cloth decor topped off by centrepieces consisting of candles in wine bottles. The place was also buzzing with diners.

We were seated and instantly I saw on the menu that diners have two options, Soup and the Antipasto station a.k.a Buffet for $2000JMD or the Full Dinner Buffet for $2700JMD, i.e., Soup, the Antipasto Station, a choice of Entrée and Dessert. Prices mentioned exclude GCT and service charge.

Dwight was our server for the night. He was well trained, pleasant and knowledgeable of the menu and wines available for the night. Of course, we went with the Full Dinner Buffet.

We started off with Minestrone soup and a Roasted Garlic Cream Soup with Spicy Croutons. The Minestrone soup consisted of vegetables, with the addition of pasta. Other recognisable ingredients that were common to the Italian origin included beans, onions, tomatoes and parmesan cheese. The broth was not as thick as it should have been but the soup had a nice flavour and was a great start to dinner.

The Roasted Garlic Cream Soup was also tasty and the garlic was not overpowering to make you feel like you needed to pop a breath mint every minute.

Then, to the Antipasto Station we went! Suga knows Italian staple foods and had her eyes peeled. My desire for a suitable array of authentic Italian cuisine was more than satisfied. What a variety!

PhotoGrid_1437484306009The Antipasto station had the following: –

● A Turkey Pastrami platter

● Breads

● Grilled yellow squash

● Grilled red onions – tasty!

● Anchovies – Expected intense, salty flavour

● Rockefeller Garlic crumbled Mussels – I loved it, but for persons like my beau who prefer mussels moist and more plain, it wouldn’t be a favourite

● Pepper jack and Olives Flatbread

● Smoked Salmon and Marlin along side a Cheese and Fruit platter

● Bruschetta – delish!

● Jerked sausage

● Grilled vegetables such as carrot and zucchini

● Prosciutto (Ham) -the real deal Italian ham (used on Italian Gourmet pizzas as well). Lovely, succulent, unique taste

Everything was of high quality and would certainly leave you satisfied if you chose the Soup and Antipasto Station option.

For the Entrees, it was hard to choose from Pollo Rotolo e Prosciutto (Chicken wrapped in Ham), Canneloni Agnello (Pasta shell stuffed with Minced Lamb with a Plum Tomato Sauce), Bistecca Alla Griglia (New York Steak topped with Garlic butter), Gamberetto Alfredo (Skewered Shrimp with Linguini Pasta in a Mushroom Cream Sauce) or a Mini Pasta Posto. Mini Pasta Posto? What? Imagine, if you weren’t satisfied with what you saw on the menu you could head over to a station and have them create your own Pasta dish using Penne or Linguini, a choice of Chicken, Shrimp, Meatballs or Vegetables topped off by a Marinara, Pesto or Alfredo sauce.

We went with the Gamberetto Alfredo and the Canneloni Agnello. The serving size of the Gamberetto Alfredo was huge compared to the Canneloni Agnello. I couldn’t finish it. I could actually try since I have a fast metabolism but that would be gluttonous and leave me feeling quite uncomfortable. The taste? Oh boy. Everybody can do Shrimp and Pasta but these Shrimps were well seasoned and had a unique taste with a kick to it and the alfredo was divine with a soft garlic bread on the side, all paired well with my Chardonnay. The taste of the Minced Lamb was pronounced in the Canneloni Agnello, an indication that very fresh lamb was used and the flavour was savoury. PhotoGrid_1437484077350

Throughout the night, the staff were very attentive, coming around to either check if everything was ok, give advice or seek feedback. It wasn’t an ‘in your face’ kind of vibe either, they were polite and stayed as long as you invited them to. Very refreshing to see and experience.

What else could we ask for that night? Well, the majority of Italian staples were covered especially the ones I went specifically for, such as the Prosciutto (Ham), Cheese, Wine, Pizza/Flatbread, Squash, Zucchini and Pasta. However, I did not see any Risotto. I was quickly put at ease when Executive Chef Mark Cole, who cooked for President Obama visited the table. He is also just returning from Miami with a gold medal from The Taste of the Caribbean competition of which he was team manager and coach for Jamaica’s team. He informed me that the menu for Italian night changes about every month or two and a Risotto dish will actually be on the revised menu this August. I was delighted to hear.

I suppose throughout the year they play around with the different pastas as well, such as Ravioli, Lasagna, Spaghetti and much more. Seeing Tortellini  (a navel shaped pasta usually stuffed with cheese, pork or prosciutto) on the menu would be interesting as well.

Gnocchi, soft dough dumplings usually made from semolina, ordinary wheat flour, egg, cheese, potato, breadcrumbs or similar ingredients would be another interesting dish to see. The Antipasto Station would probably include Boiled Eggs, Pell Peppers, Salami and Bologna in the future. But of course, you cannot get everything all at once! The layout and variety was impressive, perfect and more than sufficient.

Then to think Dessert followed! Italian cuisine includes decadent dessert as well. Zeppole (a donut filled usually with custard and jelly) was not a choice that night but I had a lovely Panna Cotta served with a duet of Cranberries and Blueberries and an extremely divine Tiramisu. One of the best I have ever had. Tiramisu is the most popular Italian dessert. Fantastic end to the dinner!

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Italian Night Dinner Buffet is held at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus every Thursday night from 6:30pm-10:30pm and Reservations are recommended (Call 876-926-3690). Great for family outings and date nights.

Arrivederci!

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