Suga takes a Culinary trip to Valencia in Jamaica with I Love Paella!

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Suga’s Ratings for I Love Paella

Date and time of visit: Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 1:00pm

No. of diners: 3

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum and the criteria has been altered since it is a Pop-Up Kitchen

Parking: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★★★

Value for $: ★★★★★

SuGa Endorsement:  ★★★★☆

Comments: 

Rich flavours were present throughout the dishes. Pleasant, courteous Chef. Superior service, speed and food quality. Serving amounts were adequate for a reasonable cost, as some meals were shareable. Chef Enric is from Valencia and he represents! Suga and friends enjoyed authentic Valencian Paella.

Suga’s Breakdown

From what I know, Chef Enric Escriva has been on the Jamaican culinary scene since January last year. Until he gets a suitable spot for his restaurant, he has been catering and doing Pop-up kitchens. I Love Paella is currently and temporarily in what used to be Cafe Nita’s space on Phoenix Avenue. So there is limited indoor and outdoor seating. The latter is the more comfortable choice with the hope of good weather.

I met two of my girlfriends for lunch around 1pm. Chef Enric greeted us politely and took us through the menu in which all prices included G.C.T. They did not have a Drinks menu, but basic drinks were available including wine, a simple white and red. We ordered a bottle of Chardonnay. They also have a Party Menu for groups.

The starters ranged from $850 – $1400JMD in cost, with some being shareable. Starters included Calamari, Tortillas, Croquetas and more.

We shared Bravas, a classic Valencian dish made from Fried Potatoes, a spicy brava sauce and allioli.

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Bravas ($850JMD)

We also enjoyed the Empanadas, freshly made artisan stuffed pastries. The Chicken Empanadas were stuffed with smoked paprika chicken and served with brava sauce. While the Black Bean Empanadas were stuffed with spicy black bean and served with allioli sauce. The sauces were on point!

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Chicken Empanadas ($850JMD)

We went specifically for Paella so that’s what we had. The Paellas are done to order, cooked and served in the traditional Paella pan that can serve 2 – 3 persons. However, prices shown on the menu are per person ranging from $2250JMD for the Vegetarian Paella to $3250JMD for the Seafood Paella with black rice from the squid’s ink.

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Seafood Paella ($2950JMD) with King Prawns, Squid, Mussels and Rice.

That Seafood Paella was as delicious as it looks with just the right amount of spiciness.

They don’t just serve Paella though. There are other mains available such as larger Tortillas and Empanadas ($1600JMD), Calamari sandwiches ($2400JMD) and Mediterranean salads ($1900JMD).

After all that spice, our palates demanded a bit of sweet. We completed lunch with Churros and Dark Chocolate. Fantastic ending to our lunch.

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Chef Enric serving Suga and friends some Churros with Dark Chocolate

I Love Paella Pop-Up Kitchen

***Reservations recommended***

Contact via Social Media messaging or Ph: 876-404-2867

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By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Labour Day Projects are under way!

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The New Kingston Rotary Club along with the Rotaract club they sponsor, New Kingston Rotaract Club are currently painting a Pedestrian crossing on one of the busiest roads in New Kingston, Jamaica.

I am sure it will be appreciated.

Both clubs are part of the non-profit organization, Rotary International. Good work Rotarians and Rotaractors!

Happy Labour Day Suga Bears! What’s your Labour Day Project? Have a productive day, whether at home or in the streets.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Topp In Designz, a hit at Expo Jamaica 2018

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Gabby a.k.a Suga from Suga Lifestyle buying local at the Topp in Designz booth at Expo Jamaica on Saturday, April 21, 2018

Topp In Designz may be familiar to quite a bit of people by now, but the more events they go to, the more people know about them and the more they are inspired to expand their production line.

Topp In is a Design studio that designs modern and handy Pouches for Men and Women, Beach bags, Thermoses, Wine bags, Decorative Stones for the garden, Mugs, Luggage tags and more. They have something fit for every occasion.

Their Beach bags are fairly new and some were produced for Expo Jamaica about a month ago. Suga loved them. I definitely had to get my ‘Sun, Sand and Rum in Hand’ Beach tote!

Check them out! #BuyLocal and support #BrandJamaica #SugaEndorsed

Topp In Designz

Location: Shop 21, Ardenne Emirates on 7-9 Ardenne Rd. Kingston 10, Ja

Ph: 876-506-1088

Email: [email protected]

Website: toppindesignz.com/

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Agro Fest 2018 is this Saturday in Hope Pastures!

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It’s time for AgroFest again! The 22nd staging won’t be at Jamaica College this year. It will be at The Jamaica Horticultural Society Show Ground Hope Estate, Hope Pastures at the corner of Gibson Close and Gibson Dr., Kingston 6.

The Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show put on by the Kingston and St. Andrew Association of Branch Societies along with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) will feature Horticultural displays, a Farmers Market, a Champion Blue Mountain Farmer Competition and more.

It will be a fun day out for the family with a Kiddies Village and Entertainment.

Grow What We Eat and Eat What We Grow!

Ticket Information:

Admission: $600JMD for Adults and $100JMD for Children at the Gate

For Additional Information Contact JAS:

Ph: 876-922-0610; 876-948-2901

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Rasta Man Soup - $350JMD+tx

Suga hits the North Coast and visits Seaside Dutchie!

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Suga’s Ratings for Seaside Dutchie

Date and time of visit: Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3:00pm

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★☆☆

Décor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Speed: ★★★☆☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★☆☆

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: 3.5/5

Comments: 
Rustic, but refined Restaurant tucked
away on Altery Beach in Priory, St. Ann. Seaside Dutchie has comfortable dining options with a seaside view and courteous, attentive staff. They specialize in Jamaican cuisine and both the food and drink menus have a wide variety of items to satisfy whatever craving you may have. Service time is reasonable, the preparation and presentation of their food in Dutch pots is unique and dishes are flavourful. Reasonable prices and value for money. #SugaEndorsed

Suga’s Breakdown

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I took pleasure in the rustic ambience and comfortable seating with a seaside view. It was so comfortable, I was quite alright with sitting by the Bar with my husband, Randy. A small wedding was about to start, where they had a room reserved with food and tables for the reception. Free entertainment was ahead with music playing already.

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Randy Burgess enjoying his Soup while sitting by the bar at Seaside Dutchie on Sunday, May 6, 2018.

Their Starters looked interesting for the most part. For instance, they had Johnny Be Good listed that included four Deep Fried Johnny Cakes stuffed with spicy Shrimp and Callaloo for $500JMD+tx or Black Beans and Corn Salsa for $400JMD.

Sweet and Sticky Wings that consisted of Pineapple Flavoured Chicken Wings with a hint of Molasses for $700JMD+tx caught my eyes too.

I had been craving the Conch Fritters with Escoveitched mayonnaise ($500JMD+ tx), but I was stopped in my tracks before ordering when our server, Demonia a.k.a Mona listed a few items that were not available on the menu.

I had the Tostones.

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Tostones: Deep Fried Pressed Plantain topped with Coconut Curry Saltfish – $400JMD+tx

The Coconut Curry Saltfish had a sharp, but delicious flavour, while the Pressed Plantains were on point! They hit the spot.

Randy had the Rasta Man Soup, which he enjoyed. Everything arrived in Dutch pots. Loved it!

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Rasta Man Soup – Vegetarian style Red Peas soup simmered with coconut milk $350JMD+tx

There were countless options for the main. They had Wraps, Burgers and Sandwiches ranging from $600-$1000JMD+ tx. Salads, Pizzas and Pastas were available too for less than $1400JMD+tx.

Being on the North coast, Island favourites are a must. They had Jerk Chicken and Pork, Curried Goat, Oxtail, Fried Chicken and Fish done any style ranging from $800-$2200JMD+tx.

If you felt like stepping things up, gourmet dishes such as Steak ($3000JMD+ tx) and Pan Seared Blackened Salmon ($2000JMD+ tx) were available.

A wide range of reasonable beverages accompanied the food options, including Blended Cocktails that can be whipped up by the Bartender.

We chose to dine Island style. Our main had an interesting preparation and presentation. I had Roast Fish and my husband, Steamed. We were told when ordering that they would debone the fish, then fry the bone.

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Steamed Fish and Bammy – $1800JMD+ tx (N.B. Bigger Fish are available for $3000JMD+ tx)

I felt robbed of some of my fish meat, but it was still satisfying. If you desired the best of both worlds, you could peck away some fried fish.

Interesting, but enjoyable experience. Suga will return.

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Seaside Dutchie

Location: Altery Beach, Priory St. Ann. Jamaica

Ph: 876-367-9277

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Review, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Recycling Tips from Wisynco

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Wisynco promoted their ongoing Recycling ‘Eco’ campaign at Expo Jamaica a few weeks ago.

Plastics are not biodegradable, so they do not disappear or break down naturally when they are thrown on our streets and wash down into our gullies, blocking drains. To help prevent flooding and keep Jamaica clean, we need to recycle.

You can start your own recycling journey by calling Wisynco today to get Recycle bags and bins for your home, office of curbside.

You can also drop off your collection of plastics to the following locations:

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Wisynco

To start your own recycling journey,

Ph: 876-665-9000

Website: www.wisynco.com

Who to contact for depot locations and collections:

Recycling Partners of Jamaica

Location: 22A Lyndhurst Rd.

Ph: 876-948-7391; 888-429-5738

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Start your week Healthy with Olive Cove Restaurant!

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Grilled Mushrooms and cous cous from Olive Cove Restaurant

Olive Cove Restaurant offers creative, tasty and healthy Vegetarian and Pescatarian dishes for Breakfast and Lunch daily.

Check them out and see what’s on their Healthy menu today!

Olive Cove Restaurant

Location: 94M Old Hope Road. Kingston 6. (Across from Toyota Ja and FLA)

Ph: 876-995-9903; 876-390-9833

Instagram Page: @the_olivecove

Opening Hours: 7:30am-5:00pm

Deliveries: 10am-1pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist)

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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GW Art at Kingsworth Hostel!

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GW Art’s commissioned signs for Rooms at Kingsworth Hostel in Jack’s Hill, Jamaica
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Kingsworth Hostel in Jack’s Hill, St. Andrew – Jamaica

Nestled in Jack’s Hill with a view of the capital, Kingston, is Kingsworth Hostel. Kingsworth is a Bed and Breakfast that caters to travellers looking for affordable and peaceful accommodation with an interest to explore other places in Kingston and  Jamaica as well as attend various cultural events.

Owner and Manager of Kingsworth Hostel, Courtney Minors wanted to add signage to the rooms to differentiate them and also update the website. He saw GW Art’s preparation for Wedding décor and remembered he could commission GW Art to do his signs.

Here’s a look at various rooms the Hostel offers, uplifted by some GW Art!

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Get GW Art in your space today!

GW Art

Email: [email protected]

Ph: 876-422-3769

Website (Gallery): 

http://www.sugalifestyle.com 

Instagram: @gwartbygabby

Facebook: Suga Lifestyle

Check Kingsworth Hostel out if you or your family are visiting Jamaica or Kingston in particular. Book a room with Kingsworth Hostel!

Kingsworth is advertised on established accommodation websites such as booking.com, expedia.com and travelocity.com. Rooms go fast, so plan ahead!

Kingsworth Hostel

Location: Jack’s Hill Road. Kingston. Jamaica (Check website/Call for Directions)

Ph: 876-361-1692

Website: www.kingsworthhostel.com

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Artist)

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Suga crowns new Restaurant for Best Lamb Chops in Jamaica!

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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 Restaurant 

Date and time of visit: Friday, May 4, 2018 at 7:00pm

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★★

Food quality: ★★★★★

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★★

Comments: 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.

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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!

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Smoked Marlin ($19USD) – Filled with Crab meat and Shrimp, radish, roasted beets and pickled white onions
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Crayfish Bisque ($15USD) with Breadfruit and Papaya seed crackers
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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!

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Veal Chop – 14oz/400g ($65USD) with jerk-herb butter and a side of sautéed Callaloo with garlic ($8.50USD)

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!

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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

If you liked this Review, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.