Where to Reserve your Tables for RW’s Delectable Category!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

Suga could not select a clear #1 choice for RW’s Delectable Category ($3800JMD excl. Bar, GCT, Service charge) this year because of the difference in Cuisines.

So Suga’s Top 2 picks are the relatively new kid on the block, Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine in Kingston and the always outstanding, Houseboat Grill in Montego Bay based on their menus and in turn value for money, ambience, décor and service.

The Surf and Turf from The Houseboat Grill should be to die for!

Remember that the Delectable and Epicurean categories are excellent considerations for Date nights or to dress up and go out with Friends and Family. Shampoo!

Dinner from Nirvanna last December 2015!

Chicken with Spinach, Chicken with Fenugreek and a RW 2016 Menu item, Tikka Masala

For Kingston, the runner-up choice for me is Redbones Blues Café. They do a lovely Lobster Pasta. I expect more of the same from Majestic and Whitebones so did not consider them. The Restaurants listed under Kingston should be revised for this Category.

The runner-up for Montego Bay is the new, Mystic Thai. I think they could do better with their menu based on what they are capable of offering though.

For Ocho Rios, I gave Evita’s Italian Restaurant the edge over Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove for those that haven’t visited Evita’s in years. Both have good service and food but Christopher’s has the better view if seated outside. So Christopher’s is known for delicious, authentic food with a seaside view but even though the menu for Evita’s seems more of the same, their Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine was one of my most memorable and favourite RW dishes to date. Whole Lobster in the shell tossed with Baby Shrimp and Lobster meat! The Salmon Risotto was lovely as well.

Evita’s RW 2014!

Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine

***For Reservations***

● The Houseboat Grill

Location: Montego Freeport, St. James. Montego Bay

Ph: 876-979-8845

● Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

Location: Unit 1, 80 Lady Musgrave, Kingston 10

Ph: 876-927-9077; 876-927-9634

● Evita’s Italian Restaurant

Location: Eden Bower Road. St. Ann. Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-974-1012;876-974-2333

● Redbones Blues Café

Location: 1 Argyle Road. Kingston 10

Ph: 876-978-6091

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Nìrvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine is the new Birthday Hot Spot

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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Nirvanna had a packed night last week Thursday. Other than my fiancé, at least 2 or 3 other persons seemed to be celebrating birthdays.

We arrived on time for our reservation at 8:30pm. We were offered a seat by the bar until our table was available close to 9pm. It did not feel like a long wait, as the hostess had a lovely personality, chatted us up a little and we got more than enough time to browse the menu. I usually need more time choosing from an Indian menu. The atmosphere was nice with light Indian music and the decor was modern with a slight, sidewalk-terrace vibe with the arched columns.

We ordered at 9pm and our Tomato Basil soup ($495JMD) arrived quickly within minutes as it should. It was spicy but not hot and flavourful as the basil was fresh.20151203_210919-1.jpg

Our main dishes arrived shortly after our soup cleared. I was impressed that on a completely packed night, food arrived within reasonable time and the service was good. Our waiter could have been more attentive but he was pleasant.

We had the Paneer Tikka Masala ($1395JMD), Chicken with Spinach ($1595JMD) and Chicken with Fenugreek ($1595JMD). I think the dishes could have at least been served with the steamed basmati rice, but if desired, it would be at an additional cost. So we ordered the rice, Tandoori Roti and Tandoori Garlic Naan as our sides. Wine was reasonably priced by the glass and we had Chardonnay and Merlot.

When there is a debate about the winning dish, that is a good thing. I loved the Chicken with Spinach that was thick silky creamy sauce mildly spiced with garlic and masala tossed with boneless chicken tikka chunks versus the Chicken with Fenugreek that won by majority, which was thick silky creamy methi gravy mildly spiced with garlic and masala tossed with boneless chicken tikka chunks.

Something was a little different about the Tikka Masala so it lost out. Although Indian Cuisine is not native to our tongue, we have enjoyed others a bit more. My other half thought that it’s usually in a thicker sauce as well.

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A mini Chocolate Mousse Cake ($850JMD) from the Montego Bay Chocolate Company that has other desserts in there, was a lovely end to the meal. It was very small but moist and delicious.

A pretty pricey menu but worth it. They normally say different strokes for different folks but I think it is safe to say Nirvanna pleases on every level.

Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

***Reservations recommended***

*All prices subject to G.C.T and 5% service charge

Location: 1A 80 Lady Musgrave Rd. Kgn. 10

Ph: 876-927-9077

Facebook (Menu posted): Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

Instagram: nirvannaindianja

Tandoor! Spicy to the Core

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Tandoor’s menu is filled with delicious, traditional Indian dishes. Probably too many though. There is even an Asian Fusian selection. Way too crammed and not easy on the eyes. Perhaps some images and more colour could be added for some enhancement. The waitress was polite and very attentive, however she could have assisted more with making suggestions from the menu. But with so many choices, could you blame her?

The ambience and decor need to be worked on majorly. The restaurant felt outdated and the colour scheme was mundane. The Indian show that was on the television by the bar on high volume wasn’t helping either. Where was the music channel?

There were only two other diners last Saturday night. This reminded me of my recent visit to Japanese Restaurant Cocoro. An indication that no matter how good and authentic the cuisine with decent service is, marketing and a revived ambience, thus giving a holistic dining experience, is important in such a competitive culinary atmosphere.

With that aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the Aloo Stuffed Paratha (Indian bread stuffed with potatoes – $295JMD) and Bhuna Gosht (Lamb pan roasted with garlic ginger tomato bell pepper & traditional spice – $1795JMD). The Bhuna Gosht was bursting with flavour and extremely spicy. Imagine I ordered medium spicy. The lamb was also roasted well, tender to the taste. Two thumbs up to the chef.

Tandoor Indian Restaurant

Ph#: 876-929-3568 / 876-929-5961

Address: 11 Holborn Road, New Kingston. Kingston 10.

Date of visit: 8/11/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★☆☆☆☆

Decor: ★☆☆☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★★

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★☆☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

SuGa’s picks for Simple but Tasty (*$1850JMD) for Restaurant Week Jamaica!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

The Tasty category is more on the simple side with dishes that most persons should be familiar with. A few restaurants still stand out in terms offering more value for money even though they do not have the greatest ambience.

ROE Japanese Cuisine, Tandoor Indian Restaurant and the Chill Out Hut Restaurant (Montego Bay) seem like great choices. Chill Out Hut will have Chicken Wings, Nachos, 1 lb whole Fish/Fish Fillet any way you like it, a Chicken and Ribs combo and more.

JoJo’s Jerk Pit and More usually offers a large serving of BBQ Spare Ribs, small desserts and basic appetizers.

East Japanese seems satisfactory with their usual Miso soup and Salads, simple Vanilla Ice Cream and main course including Shrimp Tempura and Teriyaki Chicken. However the choices at Northside Kitchen, aside from their location seem like more value for money. There is also a wider range of items to choose from.

The menu from Lillian’s at UTECH looks good with a variety of options. The quality of food is usually decent as well.

Pizza Hut – Dine In in Kingston and Montego Bay look like awesome Binge fests!

Go to http://www.go-jamaica.com/rw/ for more information.

* Prices for each category include 1 choice of Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert. Beverages, Gratuity and G.C.T are additional.