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.
The sun is out! For those who were snowed in and couldn’t go to Chart House in Maryland, here is another cool spot for Seafood with a view to head to for lunch. Enjoy!
Charthouse in Maryland suits many occasions, whether it is for lunch or a dinner date, watching sailboat races in May or sparks for the 4th of July, it has an absolutely lovely view of Spa Creek.
It is a remodelled boat house by the waterfront in Annapolis, Maryland. They have good service and provide fresh seafood and other local ingredients on their menu. If Seafood is not your thing, they have delicious Steaks and prime Ribs to suit your fancy too. Their menu can be found on their website (see below).
Fresh Seafood with a view, go for it!
Chart House
Annapolis, Maryland
Ph: (410) 268-7166
Website: www.chart-house.com
Photo: www.chart-house.com
***If you are not in Annapolis, there are other locations in Colorado, New England and more.
A. Braised Lamb Shank                   B. The Gus Pizza             C. (L-R) Friend, Lisa Samough and Gabby from Suga Lifestyle
Two words to describe it – nice and quaint.
What did I have? No I did not have Red wine, can you believe it? Suga is a Chardonnay and Riesling kinda girl.
I had a 2014 Crnko-Riesling + Sauvignon Blanc Blend from Slovenia ($11USD/glass) that was lovely.
They have a wide selection of items, not only on their wine menu but food menu as well. Note that an alcohol charge (~3%) is added to your bill. Salads and Soups, Paninis, Pizzas (Crispy Wheat/Roasted Flat breads), Salmon, Catch of the Day, Crab cakes, Sea Bass and more are offered.
I had a tasty, tender Braised Lamb Shank ($24US) over chopped eggplant, green olives, golden raisins, shaved almonds with mint yogurt.
My friends enjoyed The Gus ($10) Pizza with pepperoni, sausage, ham and housemade marinara as well as the Bistro Filet ($23US) 8oz beef with red red wine reduction.
Our waiter was awesome too and will be coming to Jamaica next year!
Have you heard about Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Jabba’s Peppa Swims?! Gear up for next year, because if you are in the corporate area, especially New Kingston, some delicious, affordable food can be delivered to you at work or home, free of cost. Pick up options are also available. Sounds great right? Another option to add to our very limited lunch selection.
Lunch from Jabba’s Smoked Grill is available on Saturdays. Lunch costs $600JMDinclusive of delivery in the corporate area. You have a choice of either Jerked or Barbecue chicken along with sides of sweet potato, rice and peas and/or roast breadfruit.
Jabba’s Peppa Swims are mild or spicy packages of shrimps available on Tuesdays and Fridays at a cost of $280JMD each. But don’t worry, the spicy one will not leave you choking. It is tastefully done with the right level of spice so you enjoy it but you are comfortable at the same time. As deliveries are done mainly in New Kingston, they are currently a big hit with corporate offices such as JMMB, Sagicor, Barita and more. So you don’t need to travel to St. Elizabeth for ‘swims’, you can get them delivered to you or pick up at 31-33 Trafalgar Road (BNS with no sign), opposite the NCB atrium, anytime between 8am and 5pm.
Filling serving!
For both Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Jabba’s Peppa Swims, it is best to order the night before or on the day before 12 noon, by calling 876-296-7304.
Ok so now you know what is offered and the cost, but who does the cooking? Jabba!
Who or what is Jabba?
Jabba is young, Jonathan Simpson, who just has a love for cooking and was thus inspired to start this endeavour. I have actually tasted Jabba’s chicken from as far back as 2008 at a friend’s baby shower. Yes! Jabba does catering too and used to even have a small restaurant back in the day that offered Jamaican lunches such as Curried Goat, Oxtail, Cow foot, Jerked Chicken and more.
Where has Jabba been all these years?
A few years ago, the restaurant business alone was not enough for Jabba and he felt that a ‘9-5’ would be better for the finances so started working with Scotiabank. But when something is just a part of you, it always finds its way back. So recently, he found a way to still work with the bank but to branch out into what he loves to do even more as well, cook.
Who taught him how to cook?
Well the Chicken and other things came naturally to him for the most part but a young lady who he used to buy shrimp from taught him how to prepare the shrimps aka ‘swims’ when he developed an interest to do it himself.
How did the rave about Jabba’s Swims begin?
About 4 or 5 years ago, Jabba prepared his shrimps for a fundraiser at the office and the people wanted more. The interest and liking for it spread by word of mouth to different offices within the area.
What makes Jabba’s Chicken and Shrimps different?
It’s all about the freshness, the sauce and the general taste of the food.
Freshness is important folks, so it is unlikely that the Peppa Swims ‘goi run u belly!’. Pepper shrimps are a local favourite but a lot of the shrimps sold on the street side are not fresh. Jabba’s shrimps are usually prepared on the morning of or the night before they are sold. They are a hot commodity so they sell off in one day. If you are brave, I have been told that you can refrigerate and have the shrimp up to 5 days after purchase or a day after if you do not refrigerate.
With regards to the sauce, I remember licking the sauce off my fingers from that Chicken from 2008! Yes, literally ‘finger-lickin’ good’.
Then of course, the taste is unique as a result of the preparation with freshness, seasoning and the added sauce or peppers.
Where is the Chicken and Shrimp sourced from?
Chicken is sourced from Best Dressed Chicken and the Shrimps from Rainforest Seafoods.
What has Jabba done catering for before?
His ‘Eat All You Want Buffet Seafood’ years ago and most recently, Weddings and parties such as Haunted and Afloat Soca Cruse. BBQ Pigstail, BBQ Chicken, Pasta and Garlic bread were a hit at Haunted!
Can you order this week?
Sorry Suga bears, Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Peppa Swims is currently closed for the holidays and will reopen for business by Saturday, January 9, 2016.
The near future of Jabba’s Peppa Swims?
By the 2nd week in January, Jabba’s popular Peppa Swims will be at Bickles in Sovereign Centre Food Court on Wednesdays and Saturdays for $300JMD per bag.
So as we think about food of all kinds for the festive season and wonder how we will afford lunch in January, look out for Jabba’s Smoked Grill and Peppa Swims next year!
My other half visited Cafe Africa about a month ago and enjoyed his Cameroon Beef lunch in a simple, comfortable setting.
Cafe Afica is located between Trafalgar and Lady Musgrave Road, where Toss and Roll used to be.
Nothing is extravagant or over the top. The service is mediocre, but the relaxed, laid back, feel-good vibe of the outdoor ‘side-walk’ cafe reaches every diner.
Photo: Cafe Africa’s Instagram page
The menu changes from time to time and is written on an African-shaped blackboard. Dishes from over 25 countries have been put on that menu, for instance, Congo’s original Saltfish and Okra Stew, Mozambique style Pan Grilled Chicken and more.
They also deliver!
The Cafe could serve as a cool watering hole or coffee fix and tea stop, as they serve South African wines, Organic coffee and African teas.
Cafe Africa
Location: 2 Trafalgar Road,SBAJ.Kgn. 5 (Centre of Trafalgar and Lady Musgrave)
