Address: 80 Lady Musgrave Road. Shop #3. Kingston 10
***Menu on Website
Website: www.chezmaria.webs.com
***You can now order online for delivery at www.myquickplate.com
***Like them on Facebook: Chez Maria Restaurant
Date and time of visit: July 9, 2016 @ 3:30pm
Suga’s Order for party of 2:
Chicken & Vegetable Soup: $340
Smoked Marlin appetizer: $940
Jerky (Jerked Chicken Pizza): $1650
Filet Mignon with Creamy mushroom sauce: $2400
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★☆☆
Decor: ★★★☆☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Service: ★★★★☆
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★☆☆
Value for $: ★★★★★
Suga Endorsement: ★★★★☆
Suga’s Comments:
Love the options of indoor and outdoor seating. Quick service. Large serving size. Tasty, spicy pizza. Filet Mignon slightly overcooked for medium rare but mushroom sauce was delicious!
Nice variety of flat bread pizzas to order for take out or delivery.
Last Saturday, my husband and I made it all the way to Blue Ridge. A 40 minute drive from Papine that was worth it.
We made reservations for 5pm and we were on time. Upon arrival, I loved the colourful landscape driving in. We were greeted nicely and offered fresh market lettuce with lovely foliage to purchase.
We were seated and given enough time to become acquainted with the picturesque view and fresh air that surrounded us. We admired the rustic decor, use of colours and cute centerpieces with fresh rosemary.
After we thought the decor was nice, they just kept stepping it up a notch with uniqueness and creativity. The main menu came in a picture frame that stood on the table so you didn’t have to hold up anything. We ordered the Soup of the day ($650JMD), Corn Chowder that came out in a reasonable amount of time and was decent.
Then came our exciting entrees with a twist. I had the Blue Ridge Pork Chops in Guava Glaze with a side of mashed potatoes ($2700JMD) and my husband had the Homemade Chicken Pot Pie with a side of macaroni and cheese ($1800JMD). The Chicken Pot Pie came in a tray with a globe and my Pork Chops came with a huge elephant head sculpture.
There was a burst of flavour upon tasting the Chicken Pot Pie. The macaroni and cheese was ok but the mashed potatoes that accompanied my Pork chop was herby and tasty. The Pork chop was tender and succulent. I enjoyed every piece of it.
We topped off our meal by sharing a delicious Coffee Rum Ice cream.
Since persons travel all the way up there, I love that they make special efforts to be unique. I enjoyed their creativity and the fact that the majority of their food was fresh and homemade. They also found a way to incorporate our famous Blue Mountain Coffee into their menu with the Coffee Rum Ice cream, Blue Hot Chocolate and Blue Ridge Coffee.
A bit pricey but when you have good service, good food, excellent presentation with a spectacular view and fresh air, then your bill comes in a gift box, that’s value for money and a lovely experience that was worth the long drive.
Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages
Location: Salt Hill Lot 9 East Rural, St. Andrew, Blue Mountain
Ph: 562-7580
***Reservations recommended
There were a few diners and one of them was enjoying Pancakes and Eggs beside us because they serve American-style Breakfast all day!
My husband and I were discussing items on the menu which they seemed to have revised again including items for dinner as well. The menu had quite a range of items including Paninis, Sandwiches and Wraps, Pastas, Soup, Snapper Fillet and Shrimp dishes, Pork Chops and more. The prices quoted were tax inclusive as well.
The diner beside us overheard us trying to decide and since I mentioned that I felt for a Wrap, she said that their Chicken Roti Wrap was really good. So my husband ordered the Lamb Burger with fries, which you can get with a wheat bun ($1200JMD) and I ordered the Curried Chicken Roti Wrap with veggies on the side ($950JMD).
Our food arrived quickly and the manager, Tina Newman who took our order was very attentive. She was Professional but friendly at the same time. She gave my husband the option of having Mint jelly on the side, which she brought and I also ordered their homemade Lemonade ($300JMD) that was refreshing.
The Curried Chicken Roti Wrap was very tasty and did not kill me with pepper, it had just the right amount of spice that I enjoyed. I liked that the veggies were fresh as well.
The Lamb was tender and flavourful for the the Lamb Burger, the bun was fresh and it was appreciated that the meat filled the bun perfectly. Not many places get the meat and bun proportion right.
Even though we were sitting and chatting after our meal, our table was cleared quickly. The Chef came out and asked for our feedback, which was positive.
Tina came back over to our table and told us about their Steak night that they started on Fridays. Since Medusas is now closed, the same Chef Robin Rickhi does Steak night and I know his Steaks are succulent and he has a special marinated seasoning.
We were told they face the demand for Steak on other days so she said you can call in your order early if you wish to do so and the Chef there will whip it up for you, whether you are ordering steak or not.
The newlyweds had a delightful experience and we will return.
Suga finally hit the South Coast a few weeks ago and stopped by Murray’s Fish & Jerk Hut.
You can get Steamed fish, Brown Stew fish, Fried fish, Curried Goat, Festival, Bammy and Soup on one side and on the other side you can get the usual Jerked Chicken and Pork and try their Jerked Rabbit!
Posted sign of Rabbit Meat Facts         N.B. There is a typo for no. 8
I had Fish soup, Jerked Chicken and Jerked Rabbit. The food was decent and affordable. Service was quick too. None of the dishes costed over $1000JMD. Definitely value for money.
Last Saturday at about 5:30pm, Suga indulged in Oxtail and Beans with rice and peas and steamed vegetables for just $630JMD +tx and ~10% service charge, still bringing it to under $800JMD.
The Alibi is in the Lee Gore Business Centre, formerly known as Peppers.
The decor could use some work such as repainting and new furniture. Also, the high stools by most tables were uncomfortable. However, it was cool without the fans on and was quite a chill, bar environment with big screen tvs for me to take in the races left to run at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics’ Champs.
The service was good with the manager overlooking things, costs were reasonable and the quality of the food was good. The serving of cooked vegetables was meagre but that was not the highlight of the dish anyway. That Oxtail was tender to the bone!
My other half enjoyed his Oxtail as well and the Red Peas soup he had as a starter.
I was feeling adventurous and tried their Alibi’s Hard Lemonade, which was refreshing but still had the presence of the spirits, red rum mostly. Careful ladies, don’t have too much of that one or drink it too fast. It is a creeper.
Happy to hit another spot with good local cuisine in Kingston though. Other favourites such as Curried Goat, Stewed Peas (on Wednesdays), Ackee and Corn Pork, Jerked and Bar-B-Q Chicken, Jerked Pork (Fridays) and Saltish & Beans are available as well for under $730JMD +tax and ~10% service charge.
For a starter, 2 main dishes and 4 alcoholic beverages to all come under $4000JMD inclusive of tax and service charge, is not that bad at all.
Chicken in Oyster Sauce + Soda – $970JMD on a Friday night
If you need some food fast and at a convenient spot, The Tuck Shop is the place, close to the Barbican Square roundabout.
They have a range of Chinese dishes, Patties, Fried Chicken combos, Dessert and more. They also open late at night, up to 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. During the week, they are open from 7am to 9pm and Sundays from 11am to 9pm.
So a variety of Breakfast options are also available, which change daily, such as Ackee and Saltfish, Fritters, Callaloo, Porridge and more.
Service is quick, Servings are big and Prices are reasonable.
Apologies to my Health and Fitness readers, you will get your Healthy tip tomorrow!
This Burger I had though! Hello Cheat Day! Where? C & C South Beach!
I ordered the Monster Burger that came with fries for $1500JMD. I was just expecting a big burger filled with tomato, lettuce and onions along with its advertised highlight of feta on top.
However, I was pleasantly surprised but terrified by the calories at the same time. The waitress approached the table with a Monster Burger indeed. It had not one, but two beef patties! The beef was fresh, not processed and it took you on a journey from a sharp taste in feta, through to two juicy, tender, well seasoned beef patties then a tasty sauce with beans at the end.
You don’t have to ask if it was filling!
Service was alright and you get a 5% discount with your Pop Up Gourmet Advantage Card. They used to offer 10%, but at least they are still participating.
CC South Beach Restaurant, Sports Bar and Event Venue
If you are going for elaborate, Suga recommends Rojo Restaurant at the Spanish Court Hotel. Make reservations of course by calling 926-0000 and request a table on the rooftop by the infinity pool. Nice ambience.
For quaint and affordable, The Wine Shop at Shop 7B Southdale Plaza is having a weekend full of events. You can start the celebration from Saturday with Jazz in the Street for $3500JMD per person for a full Buffet with Wine and Drinks on sale from 9pm until….
Then they will be open on Sunday from 4-10pm for $3500JMD, Food AND Wine Inclusive. Call 620-5098 to make reservations.
Thinking about Brunching it? Fromage Gourmet Market at 8 Hillcrest Avenue is the place. Call 622-9856.
Not feeling the vibe to wine and dine or you are going all out and would like to add extra to give the full package?
Go for sweet treats by Jodicakes, who will be taking orders up to 12 noon TODAY for her delicious Lava cake, Red velvet trifle and more! See info below:
Then of course, there is the Spa! Been there, done that with the popular ones? Well try the fairly new White Orchid Spa at the Jamaica Pegasus where they are sure to please. Gift Certificates available. Call 926-3690-1.
