Suga’s Ratings for The Lodge Restaurant at Tensing Pen Hotel
Date and time of visit: Saturday, November 23, 2019 at ~5:30pm
No. of diners: 2 adults
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★☆
Suga’s Breakdown
The Lodge Restaurant had an intimate, open air setting overlooking the Caribbean sea from the cliffside in Negril. It’s name is quite appropriate with its homey, wooden and log decor, similar to a getaway log cabin or lodge. So homey, you would meet resident Ridgebacks, Tensing and what looked like his brother. No need to worry though, once ignored, they stayed at a tolerable distance and quietly moved to the next table. The thatched roof and seaside views made you remember you weren’t anywhere cold, but enjoying island temperatures and sea breeze instead.
We caught Negril’s famous sunset and enjoyed the well mixed cocktails from the bar and the Grilled Garlic Lobster, which was the special for the night. The Chef’s grill is visible to diners and the Lobster was freshly caught, cooked and seasoned to perfection. The dish was delish!
Grilled Garlic Lobster
Most of the variety of items on the menu are done to order and seafood is freshly caught, but service was still timely and the staff were quite attentive and courteous.
Tensing Cool Runnings (USD$10): Whisky, Orange, Pineapple, Ginger Beer; Blue Lagoon (USD $10): Wray & Nephew White rum instead of Vodka, Blue Curacao, Liqueur, Lemonade
Cheers to visiting The Lodge Restaurant! I had a pleasant, memorable stay at Tensing Pen too. It’s #SugaEndorsed.
The Lodge Restaurant at Tensing Pen
Location: Tensing Pen Hotel. West End Road, Negril
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Suga Taster Ratings for Pirate Republic Seafood Restaurant, Southwest Ranches, FL
Date and time of visit: July 28, 2019 @ 5:45pm
No. of diners: 3
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★☆
Décor: ★★★✯(3.5)
Comfort: ★★★✯ (3.5)
Service: ★★★✯ (3.5)
Speed: ★★★✯ (3.5)
Food quality: ★★★✯ (3.5)
Serving amount: ★★★✯ (3.5)
Plating: ★★★✯ (3.5)
Value for $: ★★★✯ (3.5)
Suga Taster’s Breakdown!
This Suga Taster went to the Fort Lauderdale location a few years ago in September 2016 for a Birthday dinner and remembered how good the food was, so she decided to try the new location which was closer to her. She was quite disappointed though!
Appetizer
Coconut Shrimp with homemade creamy pineapple sauce (USD$14)
Drink
Fresh Lemonade (USD$6)
The Lemonade was fresh and made to order, with mint and Limoncello (liqueur).
Entrées
Barbados Shrimp (USD$24) with Portobello mushrooms in a creamy butter, wine, shallot, and herb sauce served with mashed potatoes.
This sure looks good, but my Suga Taster found the sauce to be quite salty.
Anegada Lobster Trio (MKT) – three lobster tails with a side of sautéed spinach.
It seemed like the Lobster meat was not previously removed from the shell, cooked, sauced and replaced for service, because this Suga Taster had difficulty removing the Lobster from the shell with a knife and fork. After all, this was not a restaurant that required a bib.
Blackened Crab Alfredo Linguini (USD$26) – Crab meat tossed in a blend of blackened seasoning with freshly made Alfredo sauce
This dish was the pleaser with an abundance of Crab meat. No complaints for this one.
Desserts
Tres Leche- sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk- evaporated milk, heavy cream and condensed milk.Coconut Mousse – Coconut custard topped with a sugary sauce and coconut flakes.
Dinner came to a decent close as my Suga Taster’s family were delighted with their dessert that had just the right amount of sweet.
Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga introduces you to Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth!
Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth
Kimberly is an Aquatic Exercise Instructor as well as an Auditor. Her favourite dish is Smoked Pork Chops. Kimberly frequenty travels out of town and her favourite casual spot is Blue Mahoe, Negril and her favourite choice for an occasion is The Trident Hotel, Portland. She has travelled to 20 countries including Thailand, Singapore, India, Brazil, Spain and France! Kimberly enjoys trying new things and detests eating at the same places. Let’s see where Suga Taster, Kimmy dined and what she had to say!
Suga Taster, Kimberly Nesbeth’s Ratings for the Summer Special, Bottomless Prosecco and Pasta Dinner at The Trident Hotel
Date and time of visit: Late afternoon in June
No. of diners: 5
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★★
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★★
Suga Taster, Kimmy’s Breakdown!
After a splendid day at Frenchman’s Cove, Suga Taster, Kimmy’s party was famished. So with two Canadians in tow, she thought it would be a great opportunity for them to view the exquisite Trident Hotel whilst enjoying a pleasant meal.
They felt welcomed from the entrance to the parking lot. Their server was quite hospitable and recommended they order from the Bottomless Prosecco & Pasta Dinner Menu for USD$30 per person. The options were limited, but enough for them to all order something different. After trying to get their Prosecco refill, they were notified that the Prosecco in fact wasn’t bottomless. However, due to the misleading menu title, they received a complimentary refill.
Their server was remarkably attentive and the food was truly tasty. After their meal, they received a full tour of the property and one of the villas.
Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Oxtail served with rice and peas and fried plantain from Oak Kitchen ($1500JMD +G.C.T+Service charge)
Have you checked out Lunch at Oak Kitchen?!
The Oak Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge has opened Oak Kitchen with Lunch menu items on Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 4pm. Yes, Oak Kitchen is now open on Saturdays too!
Their menu has Jamaican staples such as Fried Chicken, Oxtail and Curried Goat.
Suga has been salivating over their Instagram photos and I went last Thursday to satify my craving. It did not disappoint! My own pot full of Oxtail that was succulent to the bone.
Cool, cozy, indoor environs with modern decor, no crowd, quick and professional service. Oak Kitchen is #SugaEndorsed.
Get your Jamaican style Lunch at Oak Kitchen today!
Oak Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge Location: Unit #5, 8 Hillcrest Avenue. Kingston 6, Jamaica
Ph: 876-649-5096
Email: oakwinelounge@gmail.com
Instagram: @oakwineandcocktail
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesdays – Thursdays: 4pm-12am
Fridays & Saturdays: 4pm-2am
*Oak Kitchen: Mondays – Saturdays @ 11am – 4pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Suga Taster, Craig Fleming’s Ratings for AC Hotel Kingston
Date and time of visit: Friday, June 21, 2019 at 1pm
No. of diners: 2 adults
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★☆☆
(Should improve with the completion of the multi-level parking garage)
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★☆☆
Food quality: ★★★☆☆
Serving amount: ★★★★☆
Plating: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★☆☆
Suga Taster, Craig Fleming’s Breakdown!
The new kid on the Kingston hospitality block, AC Hotel had its official opening two weeks ago. From the Laura Facey and Andre Woolery commissioned Art installations displayed throughout the lobby to the open air interior design, the AC Hotel (a collaboration between local hoteliers Sandals/ATL Group and the international hotel conglomerate, Marriott Bonvoy) is a beauty in contemporary design and aesthetics.
Laura Facey and Andre Woolery commissioned Art installations displayed throughout the Lobby.
It’s located on the same compound as the BMW/MINI showroom. The open air feeling makes guests feel welcomed with outdoor/indoor music. Guests can look forward to Starbucks, a multilevel parking garage and potential establishments along the mini boardwalk in the near future too.
I decided to check out the AC Lounge last Friday for a quick lunch. It consists of a HUGE wraparound bar, outdoor pool bar and a cozy, but intimate dining area. If you are like me and have lodged at any other AC Hotel location, you would know what to expect from the millennial targeted brand: simple tapas, basic, but tasty libations, all wrapped in an affordable package. The newest Kingston location does not disappoint in that aspect.
Upon entering the lobby, the hotel staff will direct you to the quaint dining area located directly beside the open bar and you will have a choice to either sit alongside the sound padded cushioned walls or adjacent to the breakfast buffet area separated by a sliding glass casement.
Appetizers
My friend and I started with a simple request of Club soda and lime alongside bottled water, which was promptly sent to our table. We perused the limited menu and being a quintessential foodie, decided to start with Appetizers.
Mini Potato Bites
We got the mini Potato bites with sea salt, scallions and garlic+paprika aioli and the Arugula Salad with shaved parmesan, prosciutto and salami. The Potato was fried perfectly, but my only vice is that the aioli be served on the side rather than beneath the mound of fried Potatoes.
Arugula Salad with shaved parmesan, prosciutto.
The Arugula Salad had the perfect amount of prosciutto and parmesan. They did not have the salami as advertised, which normally would be problematic, but it truly was not necessary for this salad. I also loved that the dressing was not drizzled on it beforehand, as my personal preference is to pour it myself. The server promptly apologized for the unavailability of salami and we continued to order our next lunch course.
Main Dishes
Garden Salad served with toast.Panko Fried Snapper Fillet with butter sautéed root vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and Brussel sprouts) and garlic remoulade.
I found the Garden Salad to be more basic than usual, but the Panko Snapper was really tasty. The Fish was flaky, NOT overcooked like a lot of establishments and the panko crust was golden and crispy as it should be. It went well with the butter sautéed root vegetables and garlic remoulade. This was surely the highlight of the meal. The so called parmesan fries on the other hand, were tasteless, limp and one of the worst I have ever had. Pathetic.
Dessert
The Dessert choice was no better. The Molten Chocolate Lava cake tasted like a Betty Crocker cake mix topped with cheap chocolate sauce, far from the expectations of what an actual molten lava cake is supposed to be – decadent and yummy.
Molten Chocolate Lava cake.
Advice: order the Macarons or the Cheesecake.
We ended our meal with Coffee which appeased my disappointment with the fries & Lava cake.
The AC Lounge is a great locale for Drinks and quick bites after work. Hopefully they will follow suit with the other global locations and have discounted Happy Hour drinks and appetizers. There are a few quirks to iron out from the first few days of opening, but the customer service from the get go has raised the bar positively, which is in line with the expectations of the AC Marriott mantra.
AC Hotel Kingston
Location: 38-42 Lady Musgrave Road. Kingston 5. JA. W.I
[Photos and Review contributed by Suga Taster, Craig Fleming]Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
