Randy and Gabby Burgess, Owners of Suga Lifestyle at Trio Wine Bar and Grill on Hope Road, Kingston.
Where are you dining for Valentine’s?! We’ve got the entire weekend! Places may be fully booked already but here’s a tip, book an early time. Also, remember the Super Bowl is this Sunday ladies 😉
Here are Suga’s Top 9 picks in no particular order, to Wine & Dine with Your Valentine from Kingston to Ocho Rios to Montego Bay.
Ambience, Service, Menu choices, Food quality, Location and Value for money all taken into consideration.
*Reservations recommended*
Watch “Suga’s Top 9 to Wine & Dine with Your Valentine!” on YouTube here:
Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen (Ig: @jafoodanddrinkkitchen), Ph: 876-570-5709. https://jamaicafoodanddrinkkitchen.com/
Gabby Burgess, Owner of Suga Lifestyle at Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter & TikTok (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
EITS Cafe will be featuring a special a la carte menu from 12noon to 4pm and a Valentine’s Dinner Buffet from 5pm to 8pm. Be sure to RSVP because space is limited!
Suga recommends you celebrate love in the mountains if you get the Friday off or get to leave work early. Such a fresh, cool, calm atmosphere.
Here are the mains from the Dinner Buffet menu or you can go to www.17milepostja.com to see full menus.
EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse
Ph#: 876-944-8974
Address: 17 Mile Post, Newcastle. St. Andrew Jamaica
2. Sugar Mill Restaurant
The Sugar Mill Restaurant by Half Moon, Montego Bay has the perfect ambience for Valentine’s Day Dinner. I am not sure if they have any special menu for the day, but if you go, be sure to ask for your local rate and enjoy.
It is the best restaurant in Jamaica and guaranteed value for money.
Sugar Mill Restaurant
***Reservations Recommended***
Location: Spring Farm Drive. Half Moon, Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Hashtag for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: #SugarMillJamaica
3. The Blue Window Restaurant at the Jamaica Pegasus
The Blue Window Restaurant has quite an eye-catching menu and they aim to please with added entertainment. Even their Island Jerk Chicken Salad looks good. But how do you choose between that and the Spicy Curry Shrimp with whipped saltfish?! Make sure you order both and feed each other. I would also definitely have their Surf & Turf.
The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus
***Reservations Recommended***
Location: 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5
Ph: 876-926-3690 – 5
4. Chive Restaurant
One of my faves, Chive restaurant is offering a 4-Course Valentine’s menu for Friday AND Saturday. Their menu looks fantastic, especially that chive style Bouillabaise! Be sure to make your reservations, as seating is limited.
Cellar 8 is offering a glass of Prosecco with dinner and their dishes are usually delicious. The C8 Seafood Thermidor looks like the winner to me.
Cellar 8 Wine Bar
Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza
Ph: 876-613-5934
Opening Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 4pm – 11pm
6. The Terra Nova All Suite HotelÂ
The Terrace or Regency Room at The Terra Nova Hotel is quite reputable to have dinner for special occasions.
Their Filet Minon that is usually cooked to perfection is on the menu!
The Terra Nova All Suite HotelÂ
***Reservations Recommended***
Guests with Reservations receive Priority Seating
Location: 17 Waterloo Road. Kgn. 10.
Ph: 876-926-2211; 876-754-2114
Make your reservations and Enjoy! Love is in the air.Â
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Escoveitched Smoked Marlin from Holiday Inn Resort
Last week Saturday, August 24th,Suga Taster, Stephen Greig had the pleasure of attending The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) Montego Bay Chapter’s Celebration of Fine Jamaican Cuisines on the lawns of the Rose Hall Great House.
The food and wine pairing event is considered as one of the top culinary social events in Montego Bay and was well supported as expected. The event is also for a worthy cause, as proceeds go toward various Charities in Montego Bay, such as the SOS Children’s Village, Montego Bay Learning Centre and the Save the Child Programme.
The Great House was colourfully lit to enhance the ambience of this elite foodie affair and patrons could get a guided Night tour of the Great House. It is rumoured you have a greater chance of seeing the witch at night!
Rose Hall Great House lit up for the night tour.
The real attraction however, was the food and wine and there was an abundance of creative and delicious dishes on offer courtesy of booths from Holiday Inn Resort, Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Half Moon, RIU, Secrets, Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, VIP Attractions, Goddard Catering Group, The Tryall Club and Deja Resorts amongst others.
Highlights
Escoveitched Smoked Marlin from Holiday Inn Resort.
Jerked Lobster on cucumber and the Escoveitched Smoked Marlin from Holiday Inn Resort courtesy of Chef Omar Gordon.
Jerked Lobster on cucumber from Holiday Inn Resort.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas had Vegetarian Flatbread on the grill, Vegetarian Chilli and Beans as well as Breadfruit Taco shells with choices of Chicken or Pulled pork. A variety of toppings included sour cream, cilantro, bacon bits, cheese and salsa.
Vegetarian Flatbread on the grill from Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Half Moon featured Roast Suckling Pig!
The Tryall Club had an interesting array of Appetizers including a Pineapple Cold Soup, which Stephen wasn’t really a fan of, but he enjoyed the Vegetable Caponata Tartlets, the Curried Vegetables with Roti and the Hummus with Cocoa bread.
Vegetable Caponata Tartlets from The Tryall Club.
Hummus with Cocoa bread from The Tryall Club.
RIU had Oxtail Patties!
Oxtail patties from RIU.
Also on show were decadent Desserts from the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa and RIU Hotels.
Aren’t you ready to visit one of those Hotels now?!
Get to know a little bit more about the Suga Taster, Stephen Greig who was responsible.
[Photos and Review contributed by Suga Taster, Stephen Greig]
Suga Taster, Stephen Greig is an Attorney-at-Law whose favourite dish is Singapore Shrimp. His preference is Seafood, so enjoys casually eating at Sharkies out of town. But his favourite place to eat out of town for an occasion is Stush in the Bush, and if in Kingston, Steak House on the Verandah at Devon House. The country he has travelled to with the best Food is Thailand and he is always open to new food experiences.
Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga of Suga Lifestyle with husband, Randy Burgess at the Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday, May 30, 2019.
The 21st staging of the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards last Thursday on the lawns of Devon House was truly a euphoric atmosphere with the highest standards of food and drink in abundance with vibrant music to bounce and wobble to while guests indulged.
All the booths were quite inviting, but with experience, my friends and I were quite selective about our approach to ensure that we didn’t neglect or overlook any of our favourites or newbies on our hit list.
We started at Rainforest Seafoods, where they had salivating Sushi spreads and Wines to pair it all with, including one of my faves, the Kung Fu Girl Riesling courtesy of Select Brands.
One of the salivating Sushi spreads from Rainforest Seafoods.
We then made our way over to the Restaurant booths from Sandals Resorts International. Tender, juicy cuts of Beef, Ham and Lamb, Seafood, Ribs, Cheese platters, Cocktails, you name it!
Cumin and Honey marinated Lamb Chops from Sandals Resorts International.
They also had a gigantic Sushi spread.
As I continued to walk the lawns of Devon House with 18-year old whiskey in hand from Johnnie Walker, my stops had to include my other faves, Stush in the Bush, Christina Simonitsch, Half Moon, Uncorked Sovereign North, Mystic Thai, Steak House on the Verandah and newbies, Jamaican Peanut Butter Factory and Butcher Block by Gregory Burrowes who had savoury offerings from Chef Celeste Gordon, last year’s OFA Caterer of he Year.
Sending a special shout out and hearty Congratulations to Chris and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush who cleaned up this year and deservedly so! Their plant powered spread by their very own Sagicor Group booth this year, satisfied scores of guests at a time.
Lisa and Chris Binns of Stush in the Bush who walked away with 3 awards including the coveted, ‘Jamaican Restaurant with Outstanding Gastronomy Experience Award’.
Christina Simonitsch, who walked away the Enterprise and Outstanding Caterer Awards tantalised our taste buds with her Charred Scotchie Shrimp, then cooled it down with her G.H. Mumm & Strawberry Popsicles. The scrumptious Oxtail Arancini left me speechless.
Christina Simonitsch serving Randy Burgess some of her Charred Scotchie Shrimps.
Other Highlights of the night:
Outstanding Caterer Nominee and Jing Shi Award Nominee for Dessert Chef of the Year, Trevanne Donegal, also by the G.H. Mumm booth, with delish Dark Chocolate Truffles.
Uncorked’s Charcuterie and Cheese platter spread!
The Solomon Gardner Awardee for Outstanding Service, Best Culinary Team Experience Awardee and Norma Shirley Awardee for Restaurant of the Year, Sugar Mill Restaurant at Half Moon Hotel’s succulent Barbeque Jerk Pork Belly!
Did you know?
Half Moon will be opening a Seafood Restaurant this September!
Half Moon’s Seafood Restaurant, Delmare’s Chefs Claudio and Clarfield
A taste of what to expect from the Seafood Restaurant to come at Half Moon, Delmare were absolutely delicious Pan Seared Scallops accompanied by tomato compote with saffron and vanilla zucchini spaghetti with Tarragon.
Newbies on the block and Best Food Product 2019 Nominee, Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead Cheese Platter Displays! My tasting plate was quite appetizing.
Sweet Obsession Ja’s White Chocolate Mousse with Strawberries by the Johnnie Walker booth!
Just a touch of the mouth-watering Desserts at Future Bakery by Jing Shi’s booth!
Even if I didn’t indulge, I had to also stop by newbies Chillin’ Restaurant and Bar, Seaside Dutchie and Tastee Ltd./Brew’d Awakenings
You are always as good as your last show and this was by far the biggest and best Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards that I have attended.
This year the Food Awards celebrated various Communities with Jamaican cuisine as authentic as you can get. Congratulations to the Chefs of the Communities that were selected and awarded:
• The Sephestines for Mount Estate, St. Thomas • Monica Ottar for Bailey’s Vale, St. Mary • The Allens for Gifford House – Granville, St. James, Montego Bay • Christopher Marsh for Chris’s Cafe – Main Street, Oracabessa St. Mary • Chris & Lisa Binns for Stush in the Bush – Free Hill, St. Ann
Chefs, Bakers, Caterers, Retailers and Restaurants have really elevated the level of quality for what they had to offer over the past year.
Congratulations to conceptualiser, Novia McDonald Whyte, the Jamaica Observer, the Judges, Sponsors, Retailers, the talented Nominees, Awardees and everyone responsible for the successful execution and staging of the Food Awards this year.
Cheers to next year!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
One of Suga’s favourite Chefs, Christina Simonitsch, has opened her new Pop-up Restaurant, Simo’s. Last weekend was her first Simo’s Pop-Up staging and Suga endorsed Restaurateurs in the Montego Bay and St. Ann community such as Kareena Mahbubani of Mystic Thai and Chris and Lisa Binns of Stush in the Bush, were a few of the lucky guests in attendance. They had a grand time and their pictures of the gourmet affair are to die for.
Here’s a sneak peek!
Christina cooks with perfection and passion for the love of food. Stay tuned to her instagram page, @simosbreadandcatering to see when reservations are open for the next Simo’s Pop-Up!
S HOTEL JAMAICA
The New Spanish Court Hotel has finally opened its doors in Montego Bay! The official opening was just last weekend and booking is now live for the brand new, modern hotel overlooking Doctor’s Cave Beach.
They are now taking walk-ins at special rates during their soft opening weeks and offering special Intro opening rates.
Take a look at the exquisite modern decor and fixtures in place!
S Hotel’s very own Singer Roadster convertible greets you by the entrance of the hotel. This model was made popular in Jamaica in 1953 when the late American actress, Katharine Hepburn visited Jamaica with it and used it to tour our island.
A touch of some of the woodwork designs by tree salvager, Tamara Morin-Harding of Mara Made Designs, which is Brand Jamaican.
The Restaurant is also now open!
It’s clear Suga has to make a trip to Montego Bay soon! Stay tuned.
Location: 7 Gloucester Ave., Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica
Ph: 876-979-0000
Website:Â
http://www.shoteljamaica.com
Instagram: @shoteljamaica
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
This Veal Chop from Sugar Mill Restaurant was well seasoned and cooked to medium rare perfection. Since veal is from calves, the meat was lighter and more tender compared to a Beef Tenderloin.
The reputable, fine-dining restaurant, Sugar Mill is rated Suga’s Best Restaurant in Jamaica to date and was the well deserved recipient of the ‘Restaurant of the Year’ award at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards once again this year, May.
***Prices quoted attract an additional 10% G.C.T and 15% Service charge. Locals get 20% off the bill***
Sugar Mill Restaurant
Location: Spring Farm Drive. Half Moon, Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Hashtag for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: #SugarMillJamaica
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Randy Burgess and wife, Gabrielle a.k.a Suga from Suga Lifestyle by the Waterwheel at the front of the Sugar Mill Restaurant last Friday, May 4. The Waterwheel is the only surviving structure of the Running Gut Estate that was established in 1676.
Suga’s Ratings for Sugar Mill RestaurantÂ
Date and time of visit:Â Friday, May 4, 2018 at 7:00pm
Comments:Â The Sugar Mill Restaurant lived up to its reputation for a high standard of service and food quality surrounded by the perfect ambience in an authentic, rustic garden setting. Seating at this fine-dining restaurant was spacious and sufficient, giving diners multiple options, including by the actual Waterwheel.
The menu is diverse, offering international cuisine with a Jamaican flair. Dishes arrived in a timely manner. The meats were cooked to perfection, well seasoned and complemented by other items for added, unique flavours. Well mixed drinks from the bar accompanied our dinner. Sugar Mill Restaurant is the perfect place to impress a date or to enjoy with family. #SugaEndorsed
Sugar Mill Restaurant has quite an assortment of breads with dips to tease the appetite, such as Cho cho with saltfish, a Blue Cheese dip and an Escoveitch dip. If you’re not careful, you will be left with very little space for your main or dessert.
My husband and I received a taste of Tuna with spicy aioli to start us off, compliments of the Chef.
Have a look at our other divine dishes!
Smoked Marlin ($19USD) – Filled with Crab meat and Shrimp, radish, roasted beets and pickled white onions
Crayfish Bisque ($15USD) with Breadfruit and Papaya seed crackers
Rack of Lamb – 14oz/400g ($52USD) with Tangelo Fruit Chutney and a side of Yam Risotto ($8.50USD)
How did their Lamb Chops surpass that of Terra Nova’s for Suga?
The satisfying serving size was similar, but slightly larger than Terra Nova’s Lamb chops. Both are well seasoned, tender cuts that are cooked how I like it, medium rare, but Sugar Mill gets the edge with its flavour and the crust that developed on top as it was cooked for the right amount of time, which made it perfection.
Terra Nova’s signature Mint and Pomegranate Au Jus that accompanies the Lamb Chops is savoury, but I didn’t mind the change with Sugar Mill’s tasty and juicy Tangelo Fruit Chutney. Sugar Mill gets the marginal win!
My husband enjoyed this change in comparison to his usual cut of Beef Tenderloin. It was well seasoned and cooked to medium rare perfection. Since the veal is younger, it was a lighter, more tender meat that he appreciated.
We were too full for Dessert, so either the Chef felt like being generous to us or he knew Suga was in the house! We were given Sweet treats compliments of the Chef. Delish!
Dinner for two at the established, fine-dining Sugar Mill Restaurant can run a couple a bit over $200USD, but it is usually totally worth it. Prices quoted attracted an additional 10% G.C.T and 15% Service charge, however locals get 20% off the bill.
Kudos to the Chef and staff for an exquisite dinner and to our courteous waiter, Dexter Lloyd who provided exceptional service.
Sugar Mill Restaurant
Location: Spring Farm Drive. Half Moon, Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Ph: 876-953-2211; 1-800-626-0592
Website: www.halfmoon.com
Hashtag for Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: #SugarMillJamaica
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Half Moon is hosting their Guest Chef series to enjoy the rich and bold flavours of Chef Ken Frank.
Chef Ken Frank’s landmark Restaurant is La Toque in Napa Valley, California. It has earned a Michelin star every year they have been awarded in Wine Country.
Chef Frank will create 6 exquisite courses to be paired exclusively with Jackson family wines at the Sugar Mill Restaurant, Half Moon.
For some time now, my cousin in Montego Bay told my husband about a young lady that makes extremely delicious Pastries and handcrafted Breads.
The young lady she spoke of is Christina Simonitsch. With this kind of recommendation, we both followed her on Instagram immediately. Her Instagram page, @simosbreadandcatering is quite mouth-watering. You can see the joy and passion she has for cooking and baking, leaving you with no choice but to want to be a part of it.
The name, Simonitsch is quite known not only in Montego Bay, but islandwide and worldwide. Christina is what we Jamaican folks would like to call ‘good stock’. Her father is Heinz Simonitsch, the Austrian hotelier that arrived on the island to run Half Moon in 1963. Under his stewardship, Halfmoon became one of the most successful privately-owned beach resorts in the world. He retired in 2002 and has been recognized by being awarded with the Honorary Order of Distinction for his lifetime contribution to Tourism in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
With his retirement, I am happy to see his name live on in the Culinary industry of Jamaica via his eldest daughter Christina. Christina grew up in the kitchen and it seems as if the passion for what she does is in her DNA. She knew what her career would be from very early and also learnt from her Aunt and Grandmother in Austria.
After catering for mostly friends and family at small gatherings, the choice was easy for her to stay and work in Jamaica instead of returning to Europe. Word spread so fast, her hands were full.
Christina not only does specialty Breads and Pastries, but has Gourmet selections and her private label Condiment line of Pepper sauces, Sea salt, Pepper Jelly, Basil Pesto, Marinades and more. She is based in Montego Bay, so occasionally, she announces when she will be coming into Kingston and posts her list with prices. She usually comes in on a Thursday, where pick ups can be made at Shams Bakery in The Marketplace between 11am-2pm.
I ordered her Basil Pesto the 2nd to last time she came into Kingston because I was too late to order the Cinnamon Buns I have been dying to taste.
I made a fabulous Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Shrimp. That Basil Pesto is definitely #sugaendorsed.
She came back to Kingston last week Thursday. I made sure my order of Cinnamon Buns and a Cronut was in early this time, especially since there was an occasion to celebrate. My father-in-law got treated with Cinnamon Buns for his birthday and we all enjoyed it. I love that the icing comes separately in a bag if you are watching your calories.
Suga’s order of Simo’s Bread and Catering’s Cinnamon Buns in a 9″ tin with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting (L) -($1700JMD); Cronut (R) – $950JMD
After trying Simo’s Bread & Catering’s pastries, watching calories goes out the window. That Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting I thought I was just going to have a smear of, was a delightful topping for the scrumptious Cinnamon Buns.
Simo’s Bread & Catering Cronut – $950JMD
I sat down in my living room about to have my Cronut thinking to myself, why did I just spend almost a $1000JMD on a cross between a Croissant and a Doughnut? Say no more. I took one bite and it was heavenly. The perfect mix of moist and crispy with a touch of flavoured cream on the inside and a hint of icing on top. A bite turned into quicker bites, then a swallow and I had to stop myself. I knew I needed to savour it. So I decided to distract myself by messaging my husband who missed the opportunity of being home for this pleasurable experience. I told him there is no way I could save a piece for him. Then just like that it was finished. Instead of feeling guilty for indulging in this pastry, I just sat there with a smile on my face like a real pleased puss. It was totally worth it. Well, maybe $500 plus the delivery to Kingston. Regardless, I would order that Cronut again in a heartbeat.
When is Simo’s Bread and Catering’s next trip to Kingston? Â I have good news. I am not sure when you can make Orders for Pick ups but Christina will be Co-hosting a gathering soon on May 19 at Kayter Restaurant on Ballater Avenue. It should be a gastronomic experience. Make your Reservations!
The food at the Half Moon Booth was outstanding for me at the Table Talk Jamaica Food Observer Awards held last night.
Their lamb loin was cooked to perfection, succulent to taste with their special sauce. Also, jerk yam risotto, really?! Who knew that would be a hit. Kudos for creativity and good quality.
The booth also had delicious chocolate treats and smoked marlin sushi bites.
Special mention to the CPJ and Bigg’s BBQ Restaurant and Bar Booth that was in one area. Their design and decor by Tai Flora Luxe stood out to me and was surely the best. It gave you the feeling that you were in a modern-day tavern for some good wine and a wide variety of cheese and pork.
