Here are your JFDF Ticket Ambassadors and Outlets:
Did you know?!
> This year, JFDF will be 100% plastic free!
> Part Proceeds of the event will go towards UTECH’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Hotel Facility
The Festival will sponsor the complete outfitting of UTECH’s demo kitchen.
Enjoy 7 World Class Food Events at 7 Iconic Kingston Venues.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Gabby a.k.a Suga from Suga Lifestyle (L) with her ‘Eat Good Crew’ coming to a Restaurant near you! – Tiffany Simmonds (C) and Gillian Jackson (R) took it to the streets with Suga for GNO last Saturday, June 2, 2018 with Broken Plate as the first stop.
Suga’s Ratings for Broken Plate
Date and time of visit:Â Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 8:15pm
We started off with the Spicy Rosemary Mussels and Duck Bruschetta. The Mussels were flavourful, succulent and indeed spicy. The Duck was tasty, but the bread was over toasted. It was deeply charred instead of golden brown. We could not bite into it. The use of tomatoes, which are traditionally added to Bruschettas was absent.
The Oxtail Bolognese only had a trace of Oxtail and was predominantly minced Beef. When two of us ordered the Oxtail Bolognese, we were told it would have some minced Beef in it. We said no problem, but when it arrived, although it was savoury, it was predominantly minced Beef with a trace of Oxtail. I told our waiter, Chris that they need to rename the dish on the menu. Maybe they ran out of Oxtail too, but if so, we should have been advised.
‘Oxtail’ Bolognese – $1850JMD +tx
Thankfully our friend who was just returning from Cabo and tasted authentic, richly flavoured Tacos enjoyed her Seafood Tacos even though she said the shrimp was a bit salty.
Seafood Tacos with Shrimp – $2150JMD +5x
Dessert
Crispy Duffle Sandwich (Top- $1550JMD+tx) and Maple Glazed Bacon Cookie Sandwich (Below-Â $1300JMD+tx)
The Maple Glazed Bacon Cookie Sandwich and Crispy Duffle Sandwich for dessert was tough as rocks. No wonder it was served with a kitchen knife. Note that we made that choice for dessert because the Fruit Parfait looked like a mixture of yogurt and canned fruit. But we still didn’t win. Tough cookies. Literally.
Service
I could see that with the full house, they tried and probably did their best, but the full house affected how attentive they were. Appetizers took too long to come out as well as our bottle of wine. The Wine we wanted was not chilled, so we told Chris that he could bring it out with the main. He seemed to have forgotten, so by the time we got his attention, we were almost through and just asked for a glass.
Suggestions from Suga
★ Hire additional staff for the Opening rush.
★Revise the Dessert menu.
★ Have the supervisor or manager take a walk around the restaurant now and then to get honest feedback from diners.
Good Luck to Broken Plate because I understand the concept and vision. We need more Restaurants that think outside the box, breaking away from the traditional menu in Kingston!
Broken Plate
Location: 14 Canberra Crescent off Munroe Road. Kgn. 6. Ja.
I regretfully admit that I have had Chef Dave Paul’s contact information and Lunch menu from last summer and just decided to use it yesterday. Why? It’s so hard for me to decide what to eat, much less from the day before. I am also still working or just settling in by the time the order is to go in.
Last year, Lunch orders had to be in by 10pm the night before and currently, the deadline is even earlier. Orders need to go in to Chef by 8pm the night before. I am sure this is how he keeps his system structured, so it’s either you make it work for you or you don’t.
A set menu is used daily, which is updated from time to time. Customized lunch orders are welcomed. Customers have options of Seafood, Chicken, Pastas, Wraps, Salads and Vegetarian meals.
It is stated that Punctual delivery is not guaranteed. So even though I requested an 11:30am delivery, I stated that it could not be later than 12Â noon. My lunch arrived at 12 noon.
Presentation and branding were impressive. Communication was also effective.
Chef Dave Paul’s Oven Roasted Chicken with Jerk BBQ sauce, a side of Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Mash and side Salad – $900JMD inclusive of Delivery in Kingston
I asked for light Jerk BBQ sauce and got just that. It gave the tender and well-seasoned Chicken a zesty flavour. The Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Mash was satisfactory. Sometimes healthy is boring and I took one of the healthier side options, so didn’t expect much from it as a side. The raw vegetables in the side Salad were fresh and I loved the added crunch and sweetness from a few cuts of gimbilyn (a.k.a carambola/star fruit) and raisins.
To top things off, lunch came with a moist towelette. I am guessing that Chef Paul knows that his Chicken was saucy and finger-licking good.
#SugaEndorsed
Chef Dave PaulÂ
Pre-Order Gourmet Lunch
***Orders must be placed the night before by 8pm***
The Caribbean’s No. 1 Urban Food Festival starts this Saturday!
All days should be a treat. If you must choose, check out where your favourite Chefs and Restaurants will be on www.jafoodanddrink.com. Picante and Crisp are stacked with Suga’s faves.
Hope you have secured your tickets! If not, here is the information you need:
Schedule, Venues and Costs for Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF)JFDF Ambassadors on Instagram and JFDF Ticket Outlets
Enjoy 7 World Class Food Events at 7 Iconic Kingston Venues.
Executive Chef Mark Cole from The Jamaica Pegasus that cooked divine dishes for President Barack Obama, Prince Harry and Princess Ann – CRISP!
There was a Sneak Taste on Tuesday at The Steak House on the Verandah, Devon House which had its opening last Sunday. Check out a few of the highlights!
Our host reassured us that they had a competent Chef who had experience working with the Cruiselines and that he would come to speak with us shortly. Chef Xavier got an idea about what we expected, i.e. the layered eggplant casserole and the Vegan Pasta, also with Eggplant and Parmesan. He told us that he knew what he would do for us even though he didn’t have Eggplant or Squash, but other vegetables.
To our surprise, about half an hour later, our host arrived with not two, but three dishes! I got both the Vegan Pasta and the Eggplant Parmesan Casserole. Randy had a Cheesy Eggplant Casserole as well, but his was a combination of other Cheeses since he told the Chef he didn’t mind which Cheese was used. Chef Xavier looked like he also found a small amount of Eggplant stashed away and had just enough to put in the Casseroles, but not the Vegan Pasta.
The Casseroles had a mixture of eggplant, other vegetables and potatoes in a freshly made tomato sauce layered with cheese. While the Vegan Pasta had a mixture of vegetables as well, topped of with grated parmesan cheese. All dishes had distinct flavours that pleased us both.
I just planned on having the Vegan Pasta and tasting the Casserole but as I had a little of both, I had a lot of both. Chef Xaver did an exceptional job. Cheat Day times two!
I really appreciated them extending such a courtesy when they saw we were not going to get what we expected. They actually exceeded our expectations.
Our Blended Drinks were delish as well!
I can’t speak to other items on their menu, but if you are ever feeling for Cheesy Casserole Dishes, go to Black Orchid and pray that Chef Xavier didn’t sail away in a Cruiseline Kitchen.
Black Orchid Restaurant
Location: Eden Gardens Wellness Resort & Spa @ 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston
Ph: 876-946-9977
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
The Bread pudding was no Fromage Bread pudding. It was missing that gastronomic crumble on top. But it’s texture was phenomenal and it went down even smoother with the ice cream on the side. Two thumbs up!
Bread Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream
Jamaica Liquor Warehouse, Deli & Bar
Location: 17 Lindsay Crescent, Kingston
Ph: 876-925-9427
Opening hours for Deli & Warehouse: Â Fridays: 11am – 12 midnight;
Saturdays: 9am – 12 midnight;
N.B. Kitchen closes an hour before 12 midnight
Tuesdays to Thursdays: 11am-10:30pm
Sundays: 11am-8pm
***Closed on Mondays***
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
My husband, Randy wanted to treat me to Dinner for my Birthday a few weeks ago. I preferred to go somewhere that I hadn’t been before, so I checked my list and chose the Courtyard by Marriott that is by Emancipation Park.
I immediately noticed that there was access to televisions in the seating booths. I was happy I could see the races from the Racers Grand Prix up close and did not have to cut dinner short or keep walking to the Bar counter to see the races properly.
We ordered soon after we browsed the menu and everything arrived to the table like clockwork.
Soups, Salads, Appetizers, Snacks & Sandwiches
Randy had the Chef’s Soup of the Day, which was a Vegetable Soup ($5.50US). It was a big serving that was tasty and he enjoyed it.
I had the Zesty Fried Shrimp with a flavourful Passion fruit sauce for $12US.
Zesty Fried Shrimp with Passion fruit sauce
They have Salad Options that range from $9.50US to $12.50US and Appetizers such as Quesadillas, Wings and thin crust Pizza that range from $6.50US to $10.50US. They also offer Sandwiches and Burgers a bit less than $16US.
I had the Smoked House Bliss that included Smoked Salmon, Smoked Chicken and Smoked Turkey tossed in a creamy Alfredo sauce ($23US).
Smoked House Bliss ($23US) – Smoked Salmon, Chicken and Turkey in Alfredo sauce
I appreciated the fact that my Alfredo sauce was light and I loved the pronounced flavours of the Smoked Meats in the Pasta, which were not lost in the sauce.
I enjoyed my dinner with a Hummingbird, which was not on the Drinks menu, but the Bartender agreed to make it and did a good job too.
Classical Duo ($30US) – Garlic Shrimp and Braised Beef Ribs with a Red Wine sauce
My husband also lucked out with the Classical Duo ($30US) consisting of succulent Garlic Shrimp complemented by a delightful sauce and deliciously seasoned, Braised Beef Ribs with a Red Wine sauce. He enjoyed his main with a strong Rum Punch.
The pleasant lady in charge who seemed like the Maître d’, came to our table mid-course, wished me Happy Birthday since she took the reservation and also ensured that service was going well. She then told us that our Dessert would be Complimentary for my Birthday and we should enjoy and return to the Marriott soon.
Randy and I shared the Oreo Cheesecake, which was divine!
Oreo Cheesecake ($6.50US)
Other Dessert choices on the menu included Cakes, Puddings and Fruit medleys that ranged from $5.50-$6.50US.
Suga’s Endorsement
Marriott is pricey but totally worth it. The food was delicious across the board with good presentation and our waiter, Andrew was very attentive and courteous throughout our courses. #sugaendorsed.
A happy Birthday Girl, Gabby from Suga Lifestyle dining at the Courtyard by Marriott with her husband, Randy Burgess.
On the last Saturday night of April, Bongos Restaurant saved the day for me and my husband’s Anniversary Dinner after a mix up with Reservations at another Restaurant in Negril.
Bongos is located at the modernly refurbished, Sandy Haven Resort on the popular Negril Strip.
The members of staff were courteous and knowledgeable of the items on the menu.
The menu had a wide range of items that represented a fusion of European, Asian, African and of course, Caribbean cuisines. Prices listed in US were subject to 10% tax and 10% gratuity.
Appetizers, Soups and Salads ranged from $7-$10US.
I had the tasty Jerk Shrimp Brochette ($8.50US) and my husband had the Crab and Corn Chowder ($8US), which had a rich flavour. My Brochette could have done without the lettuce on top though.
Other options included Fish any way you like it ranging from $17-$23US depending on size, Curried Coconut Lemon Shrimp ($18US), Asian Stir Fry Beef Sirloin ($17US), Jerk Chicken Pasta ($16.50US), Cuban Pork & Bean ($20USD), Bongo’s Seafood Paella ($19US single/$35US double) and more.
It wasn’t Lobster season but I had a craving for any type of Surf and Turf, which wasn’t on their menu. The waiter and the Chef collaborated to make me happy and offered me the Filet Mignon with large Shrimp Skewers.
My husband ordered the Filet Mignon on its own.
Although the wait was extremely long, we had a year of marriage to reminisce on as well as exciting thoughts for our future and the wait was worthwhile when the food arrived.
Our cuts of Beef came medium rare, as requested. So we were pleased with the tenderness and succulent juices and flavours emerging from the Beef.
We were too full for Dessert but we enjoyed a few drinks from the Bar. I have had better Mojitos but the blended drinks were on point.
I recommend Bongos Restaurant for a decent place to dine in Negril if you are not famished or in a rush. The wait may be long but you have the leisure of having a good chit chat over a few drinks in a lovely ambience until delectable food arrives.
Bongos Restaurant @ Sandy Haven Resort
Location: Norman Manley Boulevard. Negril, Jamaica
Ph: 886-957-3200
Opening Hr: 6pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Good service: Waiter was polite, able to explain menu to a large group, attentive and service was quick.
Indoor and Outdoor dining.
Prices were high for Jamaican cuisine, especially for a regular Jamaican lunch. Some of the other dishes on the menu include Braised Oxtail ($2200JMD), Boneless Jerk Pork ($2000JMD) and Ackee and Salt Fish with Bammy ($1500JMD). Serving size was good though.
For their International cuisine menu, some items are high while some are comparable to other restaurants. They have Braised Lamb Shank for $4500JMD, Smoked Marlin Platter for $3000JMD. Pastas range from $1300-3000JMD.
They also have a menu for Kids and a Drink menu with a wide range of items to pick, choose and refuse.
