TGI Friday’s Jamaica still on a Decline but the Oreo Madness is still Crazy as ever

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

TGI Friday’s Jamaica

Ph#: 876-978-8443; 927-8810

Address: 51 Hope Road, Kingston 6

Date of visit: 20/10/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★☆☆☆

Decor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★☆☆☆

Speed: ★★☆☆☆

Food quality: ★★★☆☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

SuGa Comments: It is always a little too cold for comfort. The quality of food is not nearly as good as early days after their opening. Thankfully the Pastas and Quesadillas are still decent. The menu is revised from time to time, for instance, Chicken in Chimichurri sauce was added. However, they need to offer more sides other than the dry rice served with it. The Chicken complemented with the Chimichurri sauce was tasty though. The service for at least the past 2 years continues to be horrible, from waitresses forgetting orders, waiting forever on food to arrive with no updates as to the status of it (always 35 minutes or more), to hardly any pleasant faces besides when they are forced to do their perky Birthday Jingles. Thank goodness the Oreo Madness is divine though the topping is a borderline toothache and it is definitely for two based on serving size, however there is a price option for half the serving. But what is up with NEVER having mint to make Mojitos?! Unacceptable. Support our Jamaican farmers and reaping homeowners. Disappointment to the franchise. Miami and DC still booming!

 

Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Mash

The Macau Gaming Lounge and Bar

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings
Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Mash
Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Mash

The Macau Gaming Lounge and Bar *Review for Bar

Ph#: 876-925-6395

Address: 28 Lindsay Crescent. Kingston 10.

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★☆☆

Decor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★☆☆☆

Speed: ★★☆☆☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Date of Visit: 19/7/14

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments: Food consistently decent but service always poor. Unpleasant, slow and inattentive wait staff.

Wi Yard Anna Banana - Crayfish

Wi Yard Anna Banana, Portland

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings
Wi Yard Anna Banana - Crayfish
Wi Yard Anna Banana – Crayfish

When in Portland, nothing is ever normal, from the beautiful landscape to the humorous, hospitable nature of the people. So it is no surprise that Anna Banana is nestled within. It is sometimes hard to find a decent, affordable meal in Portland if you do not wish to go high end at Trident Castle, Geejam Hotel or any of the well known villas. But when driving along Folly Road it is hard to miss the Anna Banana sign. Anna Banana is a triple threat with access to the Restaurant, Beach and Bar. They are open everyday for lunch and dinner, so with that said, I made a visit on Easter Monday.

Upon entering Anna Banana, I was greeted nicely and given a choice of where to sit. They have a beautiful seaside view. There is also an antique authentic, wooden, thatchy decor and irie feel to the Restaurant and Bar. Local artwork is displayed and a stage is present, since they have performers and various events on some nights.

The waiter approached the table with old school style, hospitality and charm. He issued the menu and what they had to offer for the day rolled off of his tongue. They seemed to have a limited amount of dishes available that day compared to the wide range of options displayed on the menu. The menu shows a variety of chicken, pork, beef, vegetarian and seafood dishes with many side order options.

I ordered the soup of the day and the Grilled Cray fish with garlic sauce. Both took a little while to arrive but it was a tolerable wait. The Crayfish was a decent size served with a tossed vegetable salad and baked potato. The salad was quite ordinary but the Crayfish was tasty and the garlic sauce complemented it well.

The bill was about $2550JMD, so could be less. However, the waiter was attentive throughout and with the lovely ambience, I left a happy diner.

Piña Colada, Garlic Chicken Pasta

Di Grill Shack

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings
Piña Colada, Garlic Chicken Pasta
Piña Colada, Garlic Chicken Pasta

 

Di Grill Shack has expanded its franchise from an eatery at Sovereign Centre’s food court to a dine-in restaurant and bar at The Courtyard. It is now situated where Grill 71 used to be, so what is the difference? Di Grill Shack has already developed its customer base, gaining popularity as a gourmet fast-food eatery. The dining areas are now expanded with more seating indoors and outdoors to facilitate preferences for patrons who I am sure would prefer the ambience to Sovereign’s food court. The decor has changed, adding vibrant colours, though the paintings may not reflect the same perspective. The setting and new location seems great for family outings and the prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity of food offered.

A few persons expressed dissatisfaction with service, food availability and quality during the opening week of the restaurant, however teething pains are expected. I went to Di Grill Shack almost two weeks ago and had a great experience. The service was excellent. So I encourage persons that had a negative experience to return. Though I am a fan of their Salmon Burger, I had the Garlic Chicken Pasta that was superb and so was my Piña Colada. Usually bars are polite with the alcoholic content of Daiquiris and Piña Coladas, but mine certainly had a kick to it. My beau was pleased with his Cajun Chicken Pasta and Chef Siri Brown, who also dined that day enjoyed her Raspberry and Strawberry Daiquiris. Note that the most expensive cocktail is a Long Island Iced Tea for $535JMD. Impressive.

It was a bit chilly while dining indoors, but the temperature of the air conditioning was quickly adjusted after notifying the waitress. Other than that, the staff were pleasant and attentive, the food came 15 minutes after ordering and the serving size was more than satisfying.

Di Grill Shack has extended its opening hours, Monday to Thursday 11am to 10pm, Friday to Saturday 11am to midnight or until, Sundays from 12pm to 9pm or until as well, depending on the weekend crowd. So if their good service, management, food quality and quantity are consistent, along with extended opening hours, wide variety of items on the menu, comfortable seating, reasonable prices and most importantly old and new customers, Di Grill Shack should last longer than Grill 71 at The Courtyard.

Ph#: 876-978-6665

Address: The Courtyard, 71 Lady Musgrave Road. Kingston 10

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Decor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★★

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆

 

The Regency Bar and Lounge

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

 

Ph#: 876-926-2211

 

Address: Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, 17 Waterloo Rd., Kingston 10

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Decor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★☆☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: The air conditioning is too cold for comfort prior to peak hours and a lot of drinks in your system. However, sitting outside is an alternative and the decor and ambience are fabulous. The bar, lounge and parking seem to get overcrowded after 10:30pm but that is expected with any new hot spot in town. There is a wide range of wines to choose from and top shelf liquor. I strongly recommend the Sunset Mojito that includes Johnnie Walker Black. Snacks are also given to patrons while drinking, which is most convenient.

Blend Bar and Lounge

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

 

Ph#: 876-926-3690

 

Address: The Jamaica Pegasus, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, Kgn. 5

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Decor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: Perfect bar and lounge for a mellow evening or night. Good environment for conversation and a business meeting. Music not loud.

Restaurant/Bar Ratings for Cuddy’z and Ribbiz

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

                           Jerk Chicken Pasta (Cuddy’z)

Cuddy’z Sports Bar & Restaurant

Ph: 920-8019

Address: 25 Dominica Dr. Kingston 5.

Parking: ★★★★☆

Ambience: ★★★☆☆

Decor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Food quality: ★★★★★

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★☆☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments:

Good variety of food to choose from on menu. Menu recently revised with increased vegetarian options. Restaurant refurbished including reupholstering of booth seating.

Ribbiz at The Acropolis Barbican

Ph#: 978-1299

Address: 29 East Kings House Rd. Kingston 10

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★☆☆

Decor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★★

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★☆☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★★

Comments: Music is too loud. Miss watching sports in the nights (after 8pm) with sound. Drinks still at an affordable cost. Marcus is the Boss Bartender!