Where to Make Reservations for Epicurean for Restaurant Week Jamaica 2016!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

TGIF! We have 1 week to go until Restaurant Week Jamaica (RW) starts next Friday, November 11 and runs through to Saturday, November 19th.

The Epicurean Category ($4310JMD excluding Bar, GCT, Service Charge) has been a drag with the same Restaurants every year so Suga is excited to make the new addition, L’Escargot in Ocho Rios the top pick overall for Epicurean this year.

L’Escargot has been on my ‘Places to Go’ list for some time and their menu looks inviting. Their signature Escargots sautéed in garlic butter, herbs and white wine is highly anticipated for the Appetizer. I am wondering how it will compare to the famous, award winning Toscanini Italian Restaurant that is also in Ocho Rios. There are choices of Smoked Blue Marlin or Sautéed Sea Scallops as well.

Lamb Chops, Fillet Mignon and Grilled Giant Prawns are the salivating Entrée choices.

Créme brulee, Créme caramel and Chocolate mousse are the choices for Dessert.

Do you have your passport Suga Bears? Ochi here I come!

For those who are doubling up or can’t make it to Ocho Rios for RW, my top pick for Kingston is Rojo Restaurant at the Spanish Court Hotel, which strives to give consistently great service and serve consistently good quality food compared to Terra Nova. Terra Nova usually lives up to their polished reputation for Restaurant Week but Rojo’s menu is Suga’s preferred choice.

Fling Back Friday (#fbf) to RW 2013 at Rojo Restaurant

Marguerites Seafood by the Sea, which was my choice last year, is my top pick this year for Montego Bay. The menus from Sugar Mill and Restaurant at Round Hill haven’t grabbed me. I love that Marguerites revised their RW menu. The Pepper Steak Moderne accompanied by a Caribbean risotto topped with oxtail ragout should be a treat. I was thoroughly impressed by my visit last year, which was perfection.

#fbf RW 2015 at Marguerites!

***For Reservations***

● L’Escargot

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 973-5652; 973-5589

● Rojo Restaurant at The Spanish Court Hotel

Location: 1 St. Lucia Avenue. Kingston.

Ph: 926-0000

● Marguerites Seafood By the Sea

Cloucester Avenue, Montego Bay

Ph: 952-4777

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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GW Art at TSO Pop-Up Shop happening NOW!

by GW Art

​Come on out and see my new GW Art Collection at The Hub Coworking’s TSO Pop-Up Shop from 6:30pm-12am happening NOW!

It’s at the New Grey and Red Professional Suites on the corner at 34 Lady Musgrave Road. Unit #18.

Desktop/Tabletops and Decorative Items are on SALE. They are awesome ideas for Gifts as well! 

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Come Support GW Art at The Hub Coworking TSO Pop-Up Shop Tomorrow!

by GW Art

Please come out TOMORROW and support Gabby from Suga Lifestyle’s new GW Art Collection at The Hub Coworking’s TSO Pop-Up Shop from 6:30pm-12am. 

It’s at the New Grey and Red Professional Suites on the corner at 34 Lady Musgrave Road. Unit #18. 

Desktop/Tabletops and Decorative Items will be on SALE. They are awesome ideas for Gifts as well!

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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BasilWilliams19840313

Remembering Basil ‘Shotgun’ Williams

by Sports

​Basil ‘Shotgun’ Williams played 7 tests for the West Indies between 1978 and 1979, that included two entertaining centuries. He had an impressive test average of 39.08 and an average of 36.02 in the regional first class game.

He continued with his career in local cricket, including his Captaincy of the Jamaica Cricket team.

BasilWilliams19840313
HOME AND HAPPY: Jamaica’s victorious cricket team returned home on March 12, 1984 after their thrilling win over the Leeward Island in the Geddes Grant/ Harrison Line Limited over competition in Antigua last Saturday. Photo shows captain Basil Williams with the prized trophy (centre) and manager Bill Bennett (second left).

Shotgun retired from the Jamaica team in 1986 on a high note and remained involved in the sport as a Selector, Board member, Team manager and of course had a few knocks in Club Cricket before he migrated to the US.

Basil ‘Shotgun’ Williams died of a heart attack in Atlanta, Georgia on this day last year, October 2015.

Remembering you always, CAP.

TSO Pop-Up Shop at The Hub Coworking next Thursday!

by GW Art

GW Art and more will be at The Hub Coworking next Thursday!

Desktop/Table top pieces will be on SALE. Great idea for early Christmas gifts as well!

Get ready to come support and stay tuned for more information.

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Do your Part and Sign the Petition, ‘Say NO to Coal JA’

by Charities
Photo: Steam Engine Revolution

If you haven’t seen this yet, Suga would like to make you aware of the correct information about a possible Coal fired Power Plant negotiation with the Chinese in Jamaica.

A voicenote has been circulating on Whatsapp this month about having this kind of Power Plant in Jamaica and the effects.

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) clarified some of the statements made on the voicenote in their new fact sheet, which can be found at the following link ***(Also on their Facebook page, Jamaica Environment Trust):

Click to access coal_fact_sheet_2.pdf

After reading all the necessary information it is clear that there will be various negative effects on our health if such a Plant is put in place.

So we need to make our voices heard. Please sign the following petition to #SayNOtoCoalJA. We have over a 1000 signatures to go:

https://www.change.org/p/government-of-jamaica-say-no-to-coal-ja-c5f91528-4c3c-42f5-83db-17c568975e83

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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GW Art at The Hub Coworking (Coworkinja)!

by GW Art
GW Art at The Hub Coworking designed by If Walls Could Talk – Jamaica.

The Hub Coworking (Coworkinja) is a Consultant/Business Service conceptualised by Joelle Smith.

Studies have shown that Open Office floor plans increase productivity and encourage collaboration.

Gabby of GW Art and Suga Lifestyle was happy to execute the design by Joelle Smith of If Walls Could Talk – Jamaica on one of the walls of the Coworking space a few weeks ago before its opening.

More of GW Art can be found on www.sugalifestyle.com in the GW Art Gallery, including original pieces and other commissioned pieces.

Floating shelves on GW Art designed by If Walls Could Talk -Jamaica (www.ifwallscouldtalkja.com)

Coworkinja is an excellent facilitator for Entrepreneurs and other Professionals that need a small but comfortable working space to conduct meetings, do research etc. If persons have the need or privilege to get out of the office some days, it works too.

Membership is as low as $19000JMD monthly and $730JMD per day. The Coffee and Wifi are Free and Members can read available books at no cost. More flexible plans can be found on the website, http://www.hubcoworkingja.com.

If undecided, persons can also stop by ‘Try out Thursdays’ for Free Coworking, Coffee and Wifi.

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The Hub Coworking (Coworkinja)

Location: Musgrave Professional Suites

34 Lady Musgrave Road. Kingston 5. Jamaica

Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 8:30am-6:30pm

Website:

http://www.hubcoworkingja.com

Instagram: @coworkinja

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Cellar 8 is the new Hot Spot UPtown!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

There is a new Bar in town that the uptowners of Kingston are raving about. Cellar 8 Wine Bar! Its location in Upper Manor Park where Training Camp used to be, is close to home for most of the persons who were quick to stop by last weekend.

Suga visited last Saturday evening with husband and friend and was delighted to see the tasteful, modern decor from ceiling to floor. There was comfortable seating downstairs and a lounge area upstairs.

Service was on point all around. If we followed our waitress, we would have tried everything on the menu and drank out the bar as well.

One of the teething pains for them though, is the Wine List, which probably should have been their priority seeing that they have named themselves a Wine Bar. Just about 6 Wines were listed on the menu with reasonable prices by the Glass ($700-$950JMD) and Bottle. However, there was an entire wall with Wines to choose from that you were encouraged to walk over to if you desired to do so. If persons were seated by the wall you would not want to invade their privacy or space though. They explained that this issue would be sorted out soon.

Spirits were offered by the cue. V/X for $1100JMD, Overproof for $1200JMD and Johnnie Walker for $1800JMD to give you an idea.

Cocktails were also on the menu such as Mojitos ($800JMD), the Classic Martini ($900JMD) and more.

Persons can go for dinner as well with dishes that pair well with Wines such as Lamb Chops ($2100JMD), Basa Fillet ($1700JMD), Steak ($2500JMD), Pastas ($1400-$1800JMD), Pizzas ($1000-$1200ZJMD) and on the lighter side, Salads ($1000-$1100).

A friend was not happy with her Basa Fillet, which was communicated to her waiter and the Manager. It was described as slippery and slimy, served in small bites with a lot of skin on it, all overpowered by the cream sauce. Apologies everything could not be sugar-coated folks.

The portion of Steak served to her other half was described as quite small for the cost.

With that aside, feedback from others was extremely positive. They not only salivated over the food but it was refreshing to have it come out so fast after ordering in a room full of people. I was very happy to experience and observe that and I hope they keep it up.

Of course, if you didn’t just go for just drinks or dinner, after a couple glasses you are ready to order some tasty bites. Their Signature dish, Oxtail Tacos screamed out at me from the menu and I had no regrets! Delish!

Oxtail Tacos ($1300JMD)

We also had the Chimichuri Angus Beef Sliders that was fantastic as well.

Chimichuri Angus Beef Sliders ($1200JMD)

Wedges, Wings, Mac and Cheese, Pork Sliders, Fine Roasted Thai Shrimp and more in the range of $450-$1700JMD were offered too.

The wide variety of options on the Menu were listed with the Prices subject to G.C.T.

A bar close to home is both a good and bad thing, but I think this one is here to stay. I will be returning for sure.

Word is, last Friday night was so full, everyone could not be seated. There was no need to worry though, because there was a lot of standing room. They enjoyed the vibe, their drinks and conversation. Most importantly, conversation. I was quite pleased that the music was low so I could have and enjoy a good conversation, which is lacking at many bars nowadays.

Cellar 8 Wine Bar was described as being ‘So New York!’.

Have fun checking this one out!

Cellar 8 Wine Bar

Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza

Ph: 876-613-5934

Opening Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 4pm-11pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Old Hope Road’s Hidden Oasis, Olive Cove Cafe

by Health & FitnessRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

Suga has had a growing list of foodie spots to hit and last Saturday, the Olive Cove Cafe was a must because of knowledge of future unhealthy bites to come over the weekend.

I arrived at Olive Cove Cafe at 4:45pm. It is across from Toyota Jamaica on Old Hope Road. Parking looks like it may be a challenge during the busy breakfast and lunch hour in the work week but it was quite accessible that day as they say traffic to the Restaurant is less on Saturdays.

There are stairs leading down to the Cafe from the side of the road. It is quite small and quaint on the inside with such lovely use of decor, namely light fixtures, branding, shelves and comfortable seating in a limited space with air conditioning.

Below: Gabby from Suga Lifestyle waiting on her food to arrive

I met my husband there for a very late lunch. Service was great. Our waitress was very polite, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and how the various dishes were prepared.

Their Wraps have been heavily marketed on Instagram, as well as Smoothies, Shakes and Cooked dishes including custom orders.

I still don’t get the concept of frying fish and putting it in a Wrap. Most restaurants I know do that then try to pass it off as healthy and it is not.

Anyhow, we were in the mood for something a bit more filling. Most places not only add too much sauce to Brown Stew Fish, but an oily one so I was sceptical about ordering that and went with the Chicken and Vegetable Stir Fry despite our waitress’s positive recommendation. My husband ordered the Brown Stew Fish. Both dishes came with brown rice! Thanks Olive Cove. Much appreciated.

Food came out in standard time. The Chicken in the Stir Fry was a bit too dry without the sauce. But once you added it, the flavour was tasty. The waitress’s recommendation was on point though! My husband’s Brown Stew Fish was very savoury. The sauce was light and was not overpowering or oily at all.

Tasty, filling food with a healthy touch for affordable prices. Definitely value for money.

Looking forward to trying their Shakes and Smoothies!

Top: Brown Stew Fish ($680JMD incl. Tx); Below: Chicken & Veg. Stir Fry ($650JMD incl. tax)

***Bring cash only. Their Point of Sale machine application is still being processed.

Olive Cove Cafe

94M Old Hope Road. Kingston 6.

876-995-9903; 876-390-9833

Instagram Page: @the_olivecove

Opening Hours: 8am-5:30pm

Deliveries: 10am-1pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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