Can you believe IHOP has started to do similar things with French toast? They call it Brioche French toast. It must be an overload of sweetness.
Pizza Pizza! Varasano’s Pizzeria in Atlanta
Varasano’s Pizzeria has a range of items on their menu including Salads, Pastas, Chicken dishes, Desserts and a selection of Wines, but their specialty of course, is Pizza made from scratch.
The experience was average for me, probably because I expected more based on their reputation. For Gourmet pizza, prices were reasonable (Pizzas ranged from $13.50US to $18.95US + toppings of $1.50US to $4.00US). Their service however was excellent and I probably remember the waiter more than the pizza. He reminded me of the actor, Owen Wilson from Wedding Crashers. Hilarious.
Their 2 meatballs for $5.00US were alright. But onto the pizza. I had the traditional House Special, Nana’s pizza with mozzarella and San Marzano tomato sauce with a secret blend of herbs and their ‘best’ topping, Capicola. What is Capicola? The menu needed a bit more English with so many choices. Capicola is a traditional Italian pork cold cut. The pizza was tasty, but it needed more herbs and I did not think their Capicola was the best topping as stated on the menu. It was too salty. The Chica Bella Specialty pizza was delicious. It had ricotta and mozzarella finished with arugula, a pinch of lemon and my choice of topping, Chicken Sausage with Fennel. The ricotta-arugula-lemon combo really brought out a savoury taste, making it the big winner for the evening.
Varasano’s pizzas have a thin crust so one person can eat a whole pizza and would not have to worry about looking greedy. They also state the recommended toppings for each pizza, though they advise that you choose only one, so that you do not crowd the thin crust.
So would I go again? Yes, but would not go out of my way to go there.
Varasano’s Pizzeria
Ph#: +1 404-352-8216
Address: 2171 Peachtree Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
Date of visit: 4/4/15
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience (indoors): ★☆☆☆☆
Ambience (outdoors): ★★★☆☆
Decor: ★★☆☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★☆
Plating: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★★☆
SuGa Endorsement: ★★★☆☆
The New Taurus Court Restaurant
Taurus Court Restaurant is the Chinese restaurant that recently opened in Musgrave Commercial Centre across from CPJ Market in Courtyard 71.
Suga took take-out last Sunday and thought it was average. Wonton soup was well, Wonton soup ($350JMD). The Satay Shrimp ($2000JMD) was good, while there was nothing special about the Chicken with Black Mushroom ($1400JMD). Prices are similar to other Chinese restaurants around town and the ones quoted do not yet include G.C.T.
The decor was decent and service time was the usual 15 to 20 minutes. However, there was a language barrier. The lady who took the order could hardly speak English, but she was so sweet. Just ensure you point to your dish on the menu. Hopefully they have someone else to take orders over the phone.
Well, at least there is another option around town. Chez Maria is open as well and although their sign has Sunday opening hours, they won’t be open on Sundays until April 12th. Now hurry and open up Tea Tree Creperie. There seems to be a Sushi Bar that may open soon in the plaza too.
Taurus Court Restaurant:
Shop 4, Musgrave Commercial Centre, 80 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 6, JA . Tel. #: 876-978-6818/6180; 876-283-6118 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Delivery Service available Monday to Sunday, 11am-8pm @ Tel. #: 876-374-9903; 876-419-3252; 876-355-7390-1 Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat. @11am-10pm; Sun. @11:30am-9:30pm   Â
JoJo’s Jerk Pit and More’s Menu expands, Service improves but Quality still very very Regula
I have visited JoJo’s three times in the past month. Definitely not by choice but occasions arose. What can I say? Their menu has expanded! Wow. However, on a full night with live music, expect slow, poor service. Only order things that are on their grill, such as Jerk Chicken and Pork, the fastest of the slowest. That sums up the first visit.
The last two visits had a new but familiar face. Good old Glen that hops around from bar to bar, claiming its when they need service to speed up and improve he is called upon. I can see why, because there is usually a long wait at JoJo’s. Glen is slightly annoying in personality but humorous around the edges, confident and most importantly, usually serves efficiently.Â
The last two visits included a half empty Tuesday night and a fairly full Saturday night with fast service for both nights from Glen and the kitchen. The food? The taste is ever so basic. Nothing special. Go there if you have to or you are just hungry and need some simple grub. What’s up with that Jerk Chicken Pizza?!!! Slices of thick hard dough bread with hardly enough ketchup or sauce, some tasteless cheese and bland chicken. Not even likkle oregano and pepper? Poor.Â
Saltfish Fritters? Ok but too much batter.
Their Gungu Peas soup is nice and filling.Â
The Cook up Saltfish ($350) could be spicier but it is quite tasty.
Jerk Chicken and Jerk Pork with fries, rice and peas or sweet potato are usually reasonably tasty as well.
Their Philly Cheese Steak sandwich that has Chicken but not Steak is delicious.
Their prices? With the exception of that horrible excuse of a Pizza for $400JMD, prices are extremely affordable. Makes sense and aligns with the basic quality of food. Hopefully the fast service is maintained.
Grill Night at Medusa’s Bar and Grill tomorrow and every Friday!
Grill night has been going on for years at Medusa’s Bar and Grill on Fridays at 96 Hope Road. Always well supported. So if you would like a nice, filling Friday dinner, call them at 876-978-3741 to hold your table. If you are not going right after work, it is best you inform them of what you will be ordering as well because sides go quickly.
It is similar to a Dim Sum where you get papers and tick off what you would like. Ribs, Chicken, Fish and Steak (8oz/10oz) are usually available with various choices of how you would like it cooked along with unlimited sides. Yes, unlimited sides meaning you are not charged for sides! Sides include Potatoes, Mushrooms, Sour cream, Onion, Fries, Corn on the cob and more. Also, imagine, word is they marinate from Monday!
If you did not call in your order you may have a long 35-45 minute wait, so ensure you have some lively company capable of good conversation.
Everything costs under $2000JMD so get going and make your plans tonight for Grill night at Medusa’s tomorrow. Remember seating is limited.
Carrying Dessert for Diner en Blanc? Try this Apple Caramel Trifle
INGREDIENTS
1 box of Cake Mix (spice, yellow, pound cake)
1 Container of Cool Whip or 2 Small Containers
1 large box of Vanilla Instant Pudding
1 jar of Caramel Topping Sauce
2 cans of Apple Pie Filling
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DIRECTIONS
1. Start by preparing the cake. If you choose to use store-bought then you can get started right away, otherwise wait until your cake has cooled before starting to layer the trifle.
2. Prepare your pudding and chill. The instant pudding is recommended because it is easier and faster.
3. Begin your layers. Start with the cake at the bottom so that it provides a base. It makes it easier to serve.
4. Add other layers. Here is the breakdown:
1 – Layer of Cake
2 – Drizzled Caramel Sauce on top of the cake
3 – Layer Vanilla Pudding
4 – Layer 1 Can of Apple Pie Filling
5 – Layer of Cool Whip
Repeat and Top it off with Cool Whip and Caramel and enjoy!
Recipe found with Cookpad (http://cookpad.com/en)
(Original url: http://www.allthecooks.com/apple-caramel-trifle.html)Â
Gloria’s come a town?! No, it’s Sea Deck in Orchid Village Plaza, Barbican!
For a restaurant that opened mid-last year to be so good but off the radar, it must be a hidden gem. I was instantly impressed as I stepped into the restaurant last Saturday night at about 7:50pm. Lovely ambience and cosy decor with even a fish pond full of beautiful koi on the left side where my friend and I were seated. The hostess and waitress were polite but not pleasant.
Main dishes were ordered, then with a change of heart we wished to order appetizers as well. We felt stranded at sea, beckoning for a waitress with none to our rescue. Luckily the catch of the day came within a few minutes. Seafood freshly cooked to order, taking just under 20 minutes, really?! Awesome. I ordered the Shrimp in garlic sauce with Mashed Potatoes ($1800JMD+tx). No complaints about the Shrimp, they were delicious. The Mashed Potatoes were a bit tough. Got milk? The Steamed Fish was HUGE for just ($1500JMD+tx) with a side of Bammy. It was perfect, bursting with flavour. Definitely more than value for our money. Maybe Chef and Restaurant owner, Yan Yao who has been a restaurateur for almost 15 years was responsible for that unique, burst of flavour.
So, great night, but I could do without the live DJ. The table beside us shared the same sentiment and asked for the music to be turned down, then it was tolerable.
The restaurant also offers other meat varieties and even vegetarian dishes. However, the front of the menu couldn’t be more accurate, ‘Sea Deck – Finest Seafood Dishes in Town’. Suga Lifestyle cannot wait to return and taste the other seafood varieties they offer such as King Crab, Mussels, Lobster, Conch, Squid and more.
Opening hours – Sundays to Thursdays: 12 noon to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays: 12 noon to 11pm.
Ph. : 876-702-4032
South Beach Cafe, now C&C South Beach Cafe is revived!
I have been invited to C&C South Beach Cafe twice in one month after a long while, Â so I knew something had to be different. They are now under new management and their presence was definitely felt. The hostesses that meet you from the parking lot are extremely polite and friendly, in a genuine way.
Last Friday night after being seated, my beau and I were neglected for a little while, so called for a waitress. We were told one would be coming shortly, then immediately came Shara who apologised profusely that she was not aware we were seated. Thankfully, Shara is one of a kind, a comedian in fact.
We ordered and the food came out soon after. My order of Burger Sliders was missing the fries, but Shara continuing to be full of jokes and fun, made me forget quickly that any issue arised and ensured that the fries came soon after. The Sliders were tasty and I loved that they didn’t just heat up frozen meat. It was obviously freshly cooked. They also got me to eat the small vegetable salad that accompanied it because of the tasty vinaigrette. The Chicken Quesadillas were not as spicy as advertised but had a lovely flavour as well. Happily, we made the right choice in Cocktails. The Mai Tai (Dark rum, Light rum, Pine Juice, Orgeat Syrup, Lime juice) was good, but I preferred the Caribbean Surf (Blue Curacao, Appleton, Vodka, Pine juice) that was refreshingly good. I was also impressed with the fact that the Blue Curacao did not overpower the drink, making it taste too minty or like menthol as some other bars do.
There is a wide range of dishes on the menu and most items seem to be reasonably and appropriately priced. What should be noted is that the prices on the menus issued at the bar already include GCT and there is no service charge. High-end dishes have high-end prices. For instance, entrees range from a Chicken Mushroom Marsala at $1650JMD to a Grilled Fillet Mignon at $4500JMD. Therefore, in alignment with prices at more reputable establishments. Was that the smart thing to do so early? We will see but they are clearly setting a high standard for themselves. Not perfect yet, but hey, neither are the others. Grilled Fillet of Atlantic Salmon ($2750JMD), Lamb Chops and Lobster Thermidor ($3800JMD) and Linguini Primavera ($2250JMD) are just a few of the other entrees on the menu. Cocktails range from $500-$750JMD.
Mr. David Thompson, Marketing Executive along with two others calmly but efficiently supervised the area and also checked if everything was ok.
Also, it is evident that parking is not sufficient in front of South Beach but you don’t have to park on the side of the road. Parking has been made available at a nearby, suitable venue up the road, from which they now provide a shuttle service. Suga likes the changes and will be returning soon and definitely asking for Shara.
Caribbean Circle Grill in Florida has a special promotion!
Starting this Saturday, visit Caribbean Circle Grill that specialises in Jamaican cuisine for a chance to get a meal free every month for a year!
TGIF’s Service Finally Improves!
TGIF’s service has been on quite a decline, but they have made a complete 360º turnaround. For a full night last week, persons were seated in a reasonable amount of time. Waitresses checked that everything was alright around the clock and the quality of the food remained consistently savoury. They also seemed to have not one, but two ‘managers’ supervising tables and interacting briefly with diners. No wonder the waitresses were dotting their Ts and crossing their Is.
For my appetizer, the Loaded Potato Skins were alright, but needed to be flavoured with herbs and a sharper tasting cheese. The Jack Daniel’s Chicken was on point. The chicken breast was cooked to perfection.The Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta had too much sauce but it was spicy as expected and flavourful. Then of course, the Double Chocolate Fudgy Brownie was huge and definitive of ‘#foodporn’. Their Lynchburg Lemonade made with Jack Daniels Whiskey, Triple sec and Lemon lime soda for just $500JMD was refreshingly good. All very affordable as well.
Keep that rhythm going, lots and lots of rhythm! It’s Friday! Hit ’em up today!