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Fathers who Cook for Mother’s Day!

by CharitiesWhat's Hot

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Yesterday was the 3rd staging of Fathers who Cook by Lodge Portmore at Ham Stables in Portmore from 12 noon to 4pm. The cost was $4000JMD for Adults.

The event was a Charity event in aid of Clifton Basic School, George Lee Foundatiom and other Masonic Charities including the Green Frog Gray Elephant Foundation. The Green Frog Gray Elephant Foundation raises Autism Awareness.

The ticket entitled you to 3 Meats, Staple (side orders) and a Drink. However food such as Burgers, Soup, Dessert and Snowcones came with your band as well. Drinks including Premium liquor were on sale.

Suga reached early before noon. I sipped on drinks and chatted with family and friends until food was ready at about 1pm. Service was quick and easy and there were hardly any lines. It is best to come to these types of events early. I was told that it was more organized this year so even for persons that arrived at about 2:30/3pm, shuttle service was provided by distant parking, entry to the venue was smooth and a second line was created for collecting staple, plates etc. All ladies, whether Mothers or not were given a rose upon entry and they did not run out. There was an endless supply of buckets with fresh roses. That was a nice touch.

Some advertised cooks were a no show this year but there was more than enough food for everyone and quite a variety. Highlights for Suga were the Roast Fish from Ellis and the Lion Fish from Huntley Watson. They were spicy, meaty and tasty!

Paul Robertson’s Lamb that is a hit every year sustained its high standard but was in high demand so finished quickly. So did the Pork Hock and Beans. Since I missed out on the Pork Hock when I was circling the tents again, I had Pork Belly, which was tender and had a delicious sauce.

Andre’s Shrimp Kebabs stayed a bit too long on the grill but had a nice flavour.

I was stuffed so missed out on Evon Lyn Cook’s Curried Goat, but next time.

The Dessert Station had assorted Cakes, Ice cream, Sorbet, Hershey’s Kisses and Ferrero Rocher. I am happy I caught the Cappuccino ice cream, whicj was delicious before that crazy rainbow one came out.

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Ice cream with a View

Cal’s syrup definitely had  a presence with their Snowcones. What a blast from the past for Suga. I enjoyed my Strawberry Snowcone.

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Gabby from Suga with her Strawberry Snowcone from Cal’s

There were no horse or pony rides but a Magician and Singers provided good entertainment as well as music from Stokey Love.

Sponsors were Jamaica Broilers Group, Caribbean Broilers Ltd., Fidelity Motors Ltd., IGL Ltd., Smart Mobile Solutions, Genus Pharmacy, Rights Bakery, Wata, Coca-Cola, Tru-Juice and JAA.

Jamaica Automobile Association signed up persons for a Free 6-month Membership for 24/7 Emergency Roadside and Accident Assistance including All-island coverage and Security but not Towing services.

Well done Lodge Portmore. Would Suga attend again? Maybe not consecutively but will make a trip out there another year.

 

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Oxtail from The Alibi!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings
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Oxtail and Bean

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.

Suga endorses The Alibi and will return.

The Alibi

Lee Gore Business Centre

31 Upper Waterloo Road

Ph: 876-632-2063; 924-4645

 

 

Spicy Jerk Shrimp Pasta @ Macau

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Service is still not the best at Macau, but their spicy Jerk Shrimp Pasta is extremely spicy and delicious! Penne and fettuccine pastas are so common, I was impressed to see them serve bow tie pasta. It was filling and the sauce was on point. Ensure water is present though. They had a 2-for-1 Heineken special last Friday, but it wasn’t clear how long that promotion may last. Then ofcourse, using my Pop-Up Gourmet Advantage card dropped the bill even lower.

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!

 

Salmon burger + Pina colada ($1761.75 incl. tax)

Di Grill Shack (Part 2)

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings
Salmon burger + Pina colada ($1761.75 incl. tax)
Salmon burger + Pina colada ($1761.75 incl. tax)

I returned to Di Grill Shack mid-April for the Salmon burger, one of my favourites on the menu. It was a Saturday night, but didn’t look so busy. All the paintings were removed from the walls, leaving the decor a bit plain, however a few plants were added indoors close to the seating areas.

 

The service was still good, staff remained well dressed and pleasant and food was delivered in a timely manner. I ordered the Piña Colada again and it was just as good. The Salmon burger was almost perfect but the temperature could have been on the warmer side. It was as if the burger had to wait a little on the fries because the fries were hot. Other than that, the burger was as tasty and well seasoned as expected.

Although it was a Saturday night, I didn’t stay for more drinks. I was not inclined to with dreary songs like ‘Endless Love’ playing in the background. The decor is also too decent for the name ‘Di Grill Shack’, so perhaps they should revise decor and give the place a bit more of a buzz. My experience in February was better. Rumour has it that there has been a change in management. If true, will Di Grill Shack in Courtyard 71 last? Time will tell.