Open Fire Cooking by Chef Conroy Arnold During Love in the Time of Corona!

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Chef Conroy Arnold cooking up a storm by his open fire grill for diners at The Broken Rudder Beach Bar and Grill last Saturday, June 13, 2020.

Suga’s Ratings for The Broken Rudder Beach Bar and Grill at Hermosa Cove

Date and time of visit: Saturday, June 13, 2020 @ 2:00pm

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★★

Food quality: ★★★★★

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★★

Value for $: ★★★★★

Suga’s Breakdown!

As Restaurants open up and we slowly get back to a new normal, this may be the last review for the series of ‘During Love in the Time of Corona’. Not to worry though, there is so much more to expect from Suga Lifestyle! Thanks so much for enjoying the series with me. So Suga had to add an outdoor, seaside dining experience to the series and of course, my Birthday escapades! I am still celebrating! Geminis rule!

Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove is not fully open as yet, but you can call ahead to set a time with Chef Conroy Arnold for the time you would like to visit. In the mean time, Chef Arnold a.k.a Stuttering Chef has been busy open fire cooking by the nearby, Broken Rudder Beach Bar and Grill!

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Team Gandy (Gabby and Randy)’s Piña Colada and Hummingbird Blended Drinks from Broken Rudder

My hubby, Randy and I got to the beach early and we were all by ourselves. Hermosa Cove is quite a large property, so even though we knew other persons were there, they were far away. We had the Broken Rudder Beach Bar bring down Blended Drinks to us and by about 2pm we had our open fire cooked Pizzas!

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Open fire cooked Chicken and Vegetable thin crust Pizza!

We had 8″ thin crust Pizzas with Chicken and Vegetables that we thoroughly enjoyed. You know Stuttering Chef is Farm to Table, so imagine freshly cooked Okra and Mushrooms on your Pizza, plus Carrot with a hint of sweetness and more! Stimulating.

When we decided to have drinks by the Bar itself, we saw a group of persons that were celebrating the Birthday of a young one. It was truly impressive to see how fast Stuttering Chef fired up their Burgers, Hot Dogs and other requests without a hitch. Efficiency at its best. The other members of staff were courteous and attentive as well.

The Broken Rudder Beach Bar and Grill at Hermosa Cove is open and ready for you to join them.

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Team Gandy has reported that The Broken Rudder Beach Bar and Grill is #SugaEndorsed!

***It is recommended to call ahead though. Remember Social Distancing is still being observed.***

The Broken Rudder Beach Bar and Grill at Hermosa Cove

Location: Hermosa Lane, Pineapple, Ocho Rios. JA.

Ph: 876-974-3699; 876-552-0963

Website: http://www.thebrokenrudder.com

Instagram: @thebrokenrudder; @christophersjamaicaaaw; @stutteringchef

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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.

#tbt to Suga Heading to the Beach and repping Swimshop 876!

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Throwback Tuesday (#tbt) to rocking my Swimsuit from Swimshop 876 in fresh air and sea breeze at Hermosa Cove!

Swimshop 876 sells a variety of stylish, comfortable Swimsuits at affordable costs for $5000JMD (Small to Large) and $6000JMD (XL to 3XL). Get yours!

If you can’t get to the store, follow @swimshop876 on instagram because they deliver islandwide!

Support our local businesses. Swimshop876 is #SugaEndorsed

Swimshop 876

Location: 92 Hope Road. Shop #12

Ph/Whatsapp: 876-440-4162

Current Opening Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am – 4pm

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.

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Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove for Restaurant Week!

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Considering the excellent quality of food, service and a wonderful view while dining, Suga endorses Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove for the Delectable category that costs $3800JMD during Restaurant Week Jamaica, November 13-21.

*Price of each category includes a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert. Beverages, GCT and gratuity additional.

For Soup and Salad, the Cream of Pepperpot Soup with Callaloo and the Pimento Wood Smoked Marlin Salad with Thinly Sliced Marlin, Bamboo Farm Pulled Baby Cilantro, Chilled Escovitch Pickling Liquid, Shaved Scallion and Plum Tomatoes with Scotch Bonnet Drizzle sound like a treat to me! I have already had the Smoked Marlin salad. It is delightful.

Jerk Sausage and Mussels ‘Hot Pot’ for an Appetizer sounds interestingly good. There are other tasty sounding appetizers as well.

There are Vegetarian options for Entrees such as the Vegetarian Roti with Stewed Curried Lima Bean, Pumpkin, Carrots and Bammy. Otherwise, the Steamed Catch of the day “Fish En Papillote” and 5 Spice Dusted, Smoked “BBQ” Pork Spare Ribs with Red and White Cabbage Chilled Cole Slaw and BBQ Sauce sound delicious!

You can then top it off with Cinnamon and Vanilla Bread and Butter Pudding with Rum Spiced Chocolate Sauce for Dessert.

Chef Conroy Arnold sources his herbs, fruits and vegetables from the garden on property and the Catch of the Day from local fishermen. So his dishes aren’t only authentic and rich in flavour but fresh as well.

Check out Suga’s review of them here:

Gabby Celebrates at Best Kept Secret, Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove

Location: Hermosa Cove Hermosa Street, Pineapple, Ocho Rios, St Ann
PHONE: 974-3699 or 974-9776

Gabby Celebrates at Best Kept Secret, Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove

After executing a successful Rotaract District 7020 Conference that started the day after my Birthday, there was no doubt in my mind that I would need rest and relaxation at the end of a week full of both work and pleasure. So mid-June, I decided to end my Birthday week in style and made my dinner reservation for two at Christopher’s, Hermosa Cove. Afterall, you do not need to be a guest at Hermosa Cove Villa Resort to enjoy the delightful offerings of Christopher’s. I was instantly impressed with their professionalism over the phone and exercising the initiative to ask if I was celebrating a special occasion, of which my response was ofcourse, my Birthday.

Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove recently won Best Kept Secret at the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards 2014 and the Executive Chef, Chef Conroy Arnold, was awarded for Chef on the Rise. So I knew I was in for a serene evening and treat.

I arrived on property at 6:20 in the evening and was joyously greeted by the host from the parking lot, who was clearly anticipating my arrival as he gave me Birthday wishes and escorted myself and my beau, Randy inside. We were seated on their cool, open-air verandah with a beautiful ocean view.

The waitress came soon after, issued our menus and informed us of the Soup and special Marlin Salad of the day. The menu was quite diverse and included local favourites such as Braised Oxtail and Curry Goat. There was mention of a lot of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables on the menu, but this was no surprise to me with my knowledge of the Chef sometimes taking guests into the garden and choosing what is going to be cooked. Perhaps Christopher’s will be considered for Best Ethical Restaurant next year, as they also support the local fishermen and serve a pimento wood smoked Catch of the day.

The waitress took our orders and I had a refreshing Mojito shortly after. Our appetizers arrived quickly. We had the fresh Marlin Salad and Chicken Quesadilla. The tasty Quesadilla had smoked chicken, mixed cheese, oven dried tomato, cilantro and seasoned plantain chips, with fresh salsa. The fresh Marlin Salad will make any child like greens. It included marlin, lettuce, shaved carrot, red onion, fresh salsa and Chef’s choice vinaigrette.

Soon after the satisfying appetizers, our entrée dishes came out. Randy had the Coconut Braised Chicken, which he enjoyed and I had the succulent 6oz spiced tenderloin Steak that I had medium rare with ratatouille style vegetables and steak sauce. I must point out that upon ordering the steak usually served with fries, that Chef Arnold was readily available in the dining area and unhesitatingly accommodated my request to have roasted potato wedges instead. That is not usually seen with the often robotic-like operations of other restaurants and staff.

Just when we thought our stomachs were filled to our heart’s content, we could not refuse the waitress’ invitation to try their Butter Bread Pudding served with Vanilla Ice Cream. It seemed as if Chef still had it baking in the oven though, because it took a bit long to be served. It was of no comparison to Fromage’s Bread Pudding but was savoury nonetheless.

The bill also took a little while, but we enjoyed spending that time to take pictures on the scenic grounds nearby. Then we were even happier with the fact that my Pop Up Gourmet Card reduced our $69.90USD bill by 10% to $62.91USD ($7,000.00JMD) inclusive of tax. Definitely more value for money spent.

From the hospitable security guard upon entrance to the property, to the vibrant host, cordial waitress and accommodating chef, I honestly had second thoughts about sharing and would have liked to keep Christopher’s a secret, but it certainly would not be fair to all concerned. I shall return quite soon and not only to the Restaurant but as a guest to the Villa Resort that received a Certificate of Excellence this year from Trip Advisor.