Get an Advantage on your Budget by Signing up for your Pop-Up Gourmet Card Today!

Pop-Up Gourmet can satisfy a variety of customers. Families, persons in the corporate sector that may have to buy lunch daily or host business lunch or dinner meetings, bar hoppers and ofcourse, the foodie that loves to dine at restaurants frequently throughout each month, all benefit from Pop-Up Gourmet.

Pop-Up Gourmet Advantage Card Holders can use their cards at over 70 locations in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Port Antonio and the South Coast. Members can also enjoy special discounts and privileges at Food Lovers’ Experiences such as the annually held Simply Red ($500JMD off of ticket for 2014) and more.

It costs $6500JMD to sign up annually, where payment can be made online. They will also even come to you with a swipe card machine for payment! The card is valid for one (1) year and there is a referral programme for other benefits.

So how does it make sense? The average working person that buys a decent lunch including a beverage everyday for about $1000JMD and goes a little harder on the weekend can make back that fee in just over a month with 10-15% discounts at various restaurants and bars. Not to mention the family that eats out or gets take-out at least twice per week, that money is made back promptly.

Unfortunately, card holders cannot use Pop-Up Gourmet for Restaurant week menus but cards can still be presented for items otherwise. Also remember that Christmas is right around the corner with many outings, so the more you can save, the better.

Popular lunch locations include Toss & Roll, CPJ Market, China Express, Cuddy’z, Deli Works, New Leaf Vegetarian, JoJo’s Jerk Pit and More, Ocho Rios Jerk Centre, John Crow’s Tavern, Pier 1 and more.

Hot dinner spots include Caffe da Vince, Tamarind Indian Cuisine, Saffron, Fromage Gourmet Market, Evita’s, Opa, 689 by Brian Lumley, Mystic India and more.

When the end of the week comes and you are running up that bar bill, fret not if you hit up Macau, Bin 26, Cru, Margaritaville, The Deck and others.

I have enjoyed discounts of $500JMD and more from The Wine Shop, Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove and China Express to name a few. My Pop-Up Gourmet Card is so precious, I literally never leave home without it. One night I was hurrying to leave the house, switching from hand bag to clutch so carried just my cards and ‘get vex’ money, only to realise when I got to the restaurant that I left my debit card and only had my Driver’s License, Insurance card, Pop-Up Gourmet card and hardly any cash. Hilarious. But that Pop-Up Gourmet card popped me out of debt or having my friends pay when I was able to use my exact amount of cash as a result of getting over a $500JMD discount by presenting my Advantage card. Phew!

I have also found that when I have slightly overspent or was just within budget, the money from my discount can be used towards tips instead of having to find even more money to spend.

What are you waiting for? Check out http://www.popupgourmetjamaica.com/ for information on more participating locations, what’s hot in the culinary industry, benefits and to sign up now!

Also follow ‘popupgourmetjamaica or Pop-Up Gourmet Jamaica’ on Instagram and Facebook respectively, to keep updated on deals and when new Restaurants and Bars have signed on thus giving you more options to save!

Where to Watch the World Cup Finals in Kingston, Jamaica!

The World Cup is quickly coming to an end. Life will soon resume to normality and fans will become more productive at work, especially on Mondays. Disinterested wives or persons will rejoice. However, Sunday is the FINALS, what many have been waiting to see for a month. Who will win the trophy? Germany or Messi? I mean, Argentina. Also, where will you watch it?

There is clearly a need for another Sports bar in Kingston, Jamaica. But, lets look at the few options worth mentioning. Forget about Cuddyz and Tracks and Records, poor service and Tracks has topped it off with bad logistics for viewing. Triple Century has been bought out by a company for viewing, not completely sure if it’s for the Finals as well, but if the employees have packed it up all month long, what’s to stop them from doing the same on Sunday. The Liguanea Club Member’s Lounge for Members Only is not so bad, but I doubt they have enough seats for a final and depending on the weather that day, it may be too hot with no AC or fans, since it’s in an open environment.

A-Bar is for a younger demographic. Ribbiz will be sure to have a good vibe but falter with quality service in a crowd, which is guaranteed to be there. So it would be best to open doors with them to get a seat. Once you have a seat you should be fine because they have the best logistics when it comes to viewing TVs.

Now the Regency Bar and Lounge at the Terra Nova is a hot spot with great service. However, as for all bars mentioned you would have to reach early, especially since viewing is limited and logistics are not so great. If it is not a good look upon entry, be sure to try their neighbours, Monte Carlo Gaming Lounge, where there should be guaranteed seating and great service but not a great vibe, more on the quiet side, especially if you are looking to avoid raucous fans from another team.

So it probably all boils down to two options, The SportsMax Zone at the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) on Old Hope Road with a smooth, live, non-CVM feed or a House Viewing Party. The vibe at the CBA is exhilarating, service for both food and drinks at your fingertips, whether its a full house or not, logistics good, Halftime entertainment, games and prizes, but the spoiler is, for the Finals there will be a $1000JMD presold entry fee and $1500JMD charge at the gate. This is probably for crowd control, but I am sure it will be a full house regardless. Is it worth it? Yes, if you camp out from early and get your preferred seat. Otherwise, no. Head over to a friend’s house at your leisure or host your own viewing party. Note that if you copped that World Cup Schedule from Domino’s Pizza, you can get 2-for-1 pizzas from the coupons on the schedule. There is no place better than home. Controlled environment (depending on your friends’ sobriety), with  drinks, fun, food and friends.

Check out the Recipe option on the Right side bar of www.sugalifestyle.com for fun game day recipes for food, snacks and drinks. More to come!

Hope SuGa helped make your decision, have a great weekend!

Cuddy’z Losing Wickets Fast

Cuddy’z has fluctuated over the years with both quality of food and service, but it has taken a steep decline again where both are concerned. I went there a month ago and it was as if I had to put out a search party for the waitress to make an order. Thankfully the televisions by the booths are now working.

I ordered the ‘Pocket Rocket Burger’ that includes guacamole and sour cream, which I thought would be a safe bet but I was terribly wrong. I was so hungry by the time I got the burger, I don’t even have a picture of it. It was quite sloppy in presentation and taste.

The bill was about $1500JMD including tax for the burger with fries and a beer. So, I probably should have stopped by Burger King instead. Word has it that they are currently experiencing changes with their chef and general business plans as well as downsizing staff. We do not have a confirmation on that but if true, the factors have caused a negative impact on the restaurant. We do hope they rise above and the tailenders come in strong.

Stay tuned to tomorrow’s review for where you can actually get a good burger.

 

Restaurant/Bar Ratings for Cuddy’z and Ribbiz

                           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!