Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.
No. of diners: 2
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★☆☆☆☆
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★☆☆
Speed: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★☆☆
Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆
Comments: I went specifically for the Oxtail, but the quality has fallen off majorly. It lacked seasoning and did not slide off the bone this time, but still had good texture. Diners at another table were expressing the same sentiment. The taste of Coffee was lost in the Coffee infused Chicken. Both dishes in chipped plates were served with Steamed Vegetables and Rice and Peas, but were swimming in gravy. Mediocre service and food with a breathtaking view.
Oxtail from Crystal Edge, Irish TownCrystal Edge’s Coffee Infused Chicken
Suga’s Ratings for Café Blue
Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.
No. of diners: 2
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★☆☆☆☆
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★☆☆☆
Speed: ★★☆☆☆
Value for $: ★★★☆☆
Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆
Comments: Staff was pleasant but inattentive. Crystal Edge’s staff were seen more around that side than the Café Blue waitresses. Award-winning Baker, Nadine Burie’s desserts were dry. We had the Chocolate Mocha Cake and Strawberry Cheesecake.
Strawberry Cheesecake from Café Blue, Irish Town
For such a long commute, disappointing experience thankfully overshadowed by the picturesque view of the Blue Mountains with cool, fresh air and the taste of rich, authentic Blue Mountain Coffee.
Cappuccino from Cafe Blue, Irish Town
After the boost of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival 1 week before my visit, I expected more from Crystal Edge and Café Blue. Hope they get back on track soon. Not worth the drive.
Did You Know?
Strawberry Hill is now charging $2500JMD at the gate to include a welcome drink if you do not have a booking or reservation.
I was passing by for a drink in between Breakfast and Lunch. So for persons like myself and others who happen to be nearby and spontaneously choose to stop and may end up staying for Lunch etc., I think an entry fee is ridiculous. It would be similar if The Jamaica Pegasus would charge you to enter.
Stay tuned next week to see where is worth the drive on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail!
Crystal Edge Restaurant
Location: Irish Town, St. Andrew
Ph: 876-944-8053
Opening Hours: Tues. – Sun. @ 9am – 7pm
_ _ _
Café Blue, Irish Town
Ph: 876-944-8918
Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri @ 8:30am-4:30pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Suga scoped out the new, Jablum Coffee House located on the grounds of NCB Twin Towers, by the intersection of Oxford Road and Old Hope Road last week.
It is still a work in progress. At the moment they only offer Coffee, Snacks and Pastries. I was informed Sandwiches are coming soon.
Based on its central location, the Cafe has a lot of potential and should strive to live up to it. It is quite small, but still has seating available. Plasma screens display clearly what they have to offer along with costs. Prices were relatable to other Cafes. For instance, Iced Coffee costs about $600JMD.
Stay tuned to Suga Lifestyle to see what happens with Jablum Coffee House!
Overlooking the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival’s Marketplace in Newcastle last Saturday, March 24, 2018. (Instagram Photo: Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages)
Coffee producers and baristas were out in their numbers last Saturday at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Marketplace in Newcastle, St. Andrew.
Many booths had hot coffee to keep patrons warm in the fog, such as Cafe Blue, Stoneleigh (Mavis Bank 100% Blue Mountain Coffee), Toyota Coffee House, Starbucks, Perk Up and Country Traders Limited (Coffee Roasters Blue Mountain Coffee).
Cafe Blue also had their Milk and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans that I enjoy.
Cafe Blue’s Milk Chocolate and White Chocolate covered Coffee beans (Photo: Suga Bear, Stephen Greig)
My husband enjoyed the smooth, hot brew offered by Perk up, from Flamstead Estate. Perk Up had a soft launch at the Coffee Festival, as they are planning to enter the market more competitively. They are currently at a few cafe outlets, including Shelly’s Cafe at U.T.E.C.H.
Deaf Can Coffee Baristas were there, brewing at 3 different tents including Cannonball Cafe and Jamaica Toyota Coffee House.
Deaf Can Baristas at the Country Traders Ltd. booth (Instagram Photo: @deafcancoffee)
I was impressed with Cannonball Cafe that uses Jablum Coffee. They were the only ones I saw that offered Frappes and Coffee Martinis. I had the Caramel Crunch Cafe Frappe for just $300JMD. They had Paint and Sip for $1500JMD along with a free Espresso Martini overseeing a picturesque view too! There were cold brews from Cafe Blue and Stoneleigh, but I prefer Frappes. Even though it was a cool atmosphere being up so high, the sun was still fully out and I warmed up after walking around the venue.
Cannonball’s coffee infused desserts were a treat too! My nieces and I enjoyed their Coffee and Chocolate Brownies for a steal of $100JMD, Mini Eclairs with Coffee infused cream ($300JMD) and Coffee Bread Pudding with Coffee glaze ($300JMD).
Cannonball Cafe can be found in Barbican (Loshusan Centre), New Kingston (Barbados Ave.), Manor Park (Lower Manor Park Plaza) and Sovereign North Plaza.
Restaurants other than Cafe Blue that are on the Blue Mountain Culinary trail were out, such as Belcour Lodge with their line of Preserves and Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages. Blue Ridge had a tasty Coffee Cake for $300JMD.
The experienced and poised hostess, Emprezz kept the patrons well-informed throughout the day and presented prizes and surprises, hosted short interviews and more.
The suits of Tourism came out, shook hands and spoke to the patrons. Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlet along with his entourage, as well as Adam Stewart, Chairman of The Tourism Linkages Council were there. The council has been making great strides, developing projects to increase our influx of visitors to Jamaica via the Gastronomy network, Shopping, Health and Wellness, Sports and Entertainment and Knowledge. The Jamaica Coffee Festival Marketplace branched out across all these networks, with major focus on the Gastronomic Network. Key initiatives and Projects such as development of a Blue Mountain Coffee experience, strategic partnerships with other networks and the promotion of food festivals were all achieved. Kudos to them and the great turn out of patrons to support such an important initiative. Tickets were sold out!
If the endless amount of coffee wasn’t enough, Tarrus Riley entertained the crowd for over an hour!
CB Chicken, Copperwood Pork and Best DressedChicken were out to feed the masses. The Best Dressed Booth was quite popular with their Gourmet Hot dogs, loaded fries and more. I enjoyed their Jerked Chicken.
Island Blue, which you normally see in our hotels, displayed and sold their Jamaica Coffee Liqueurs from Baronhall Estate, Coffee Beans, Branded mugs and more.
Farm to table Coffee Beans from Island Blue!
Kande’s Delights had long lines for ice cream including coffee flavours of course.
Various Arts & Crafts exhibitors were about, but one of the Skin Care exhibitors, I Love Sweetness Coffee Scrubs grabbed my attention with their body scrubs, scented soaps and skin tonics. Their representatives were quite knowledgeable about their products and marketed them well.
There were representatives and Informative pamphlets from Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) and Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) on the story of Jamaican Coffee. Jamaican Coffee Recipes were available too.
Hollywell provided information on tours and events, signing persons up to receive information on events in the future too. They also had persons chatting up a storm about their Coffee Rice and Peas cooked by ‘Natural by Nature’ in their community.
Congratulations to the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Team. Great initiative, efficient use of space and well executed event. #SugaEndorsed
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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TGIF! Remember that the Jamaica Blue Mountain Festival starts today!
Today
The Coffee Industry Players in association with JACRA and RADA will be busy hosting workshops.
Tomorrow
Do not miss The Festival Marketplace! It should be a cultural experience showcasing not only our local coffee and coffee-induced products, but our talented crafty artisans, dancers, singers and more, headlined by Tarrus Riley!
The shuttle departs hourly from UTECH starting at 9am and Tickets cost $1000JMD for Adults and $500JMD for Children under 12 and Students with ID. The Festival ends at 6pm.
Ticket Outlets:
> Cafe Blue (Sovereign & Irish Town)
> Cannonball Cafe (New Kgn, Sovereign North, Manor Park)
> Toyota Coffee House: 93 Hope Road
Sunday
Take a drive along the Blue Mountain Culinary trail. It has some cosy spots with spectacular views and food. See the list with numbers on the flyer below, call and make your reservations today!
They are all quite a treat, but if you like local cuisine, Crystal Edge is the place. If you have a sweet tooth, Cafe Blue is just next door with exquisite desserts by award-winning baker, Nadine Burie.
Blue Ridge is far up, but worth the trek. Savoury food and good service. Their presentation is also one of a kind.
Support Brand Jamaica and our flagship Blue Mountain Coffee this weekend in Newcastle, St. Andrew!
The Ministry of Tourism and The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be hosting a Festival for Jamaica’s flagship Blue Mountain Coffee this March 23-25, 2018 in New Castle, St. Andrew.
They promise an immersive experience from farm to cup and table!
