Epicurean (*$4300JMD) seems more of the same for RW 2014, but what are SuGa’s Picks?

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Same old Same old for the Epicurean category this year. Rojo practically has the same menu as last year. If no new restaurants emerge on the scene with Epicurean standard or none of the current restaurants improve enough to be added to this category, some new elements need to be incorporated to spice it up. Otherwise its ‘been there, done that’ or persons will just use the opportunity to host business meetings and dinners.

The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel and The Restaurant at Round Hill Hotel and Villas (Montego Bay) seem to have the fresher, more interesting menus including Lobster Creole, Lamb Ribs, Oxtail Ravioli and Braised Short Rib.

Bon appétit!

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.

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.

 

TGI Friday’s Jamaica still on a Decline but the Oreo Madness is still Crazy as ever

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

TGI Friday’s Jamaica

Ph#: 876-978-8443; 927-8810

Address: 51 Hope Road, Kingston 6

Date of visit: 20/10/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★☆☆☆

Decor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★☆☆☆

Speed: ★★☆☆☆

Food quality: ★★★☆☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

SuGa Comments: It is always a little too cold for comfort. The quality of food is not nearly as good as early days after their opening. Thankfully the Pastas and Quesadillas are still decent. The menu is revised from time to time, for instance, Chicken in Chimichurri sauce was added. However, they need to offer more sides other than the dry rice served with it. The Chicken complemented with the Chimichurri sauce was tasty though. The service for at least the past 2 years continues to be horrible, from waitresses forgetting orders, waiting forever on food to arrive with no updates as to the status of it (always 35 minutes or more), to hardly any pleasant faces besides when they are forced to do their perky Birthday Jingles. Thank goodness the Oreo Madness is divine though the topping is a borderline toothache and it is definitely for two based on serving size, however there is a price option for half the serving. But what is up with NEVER having mint to make Mojitos?! Unacceptable. Support our Jamaican farmers and reaping homeowners. Disappointment to the franchise. Miami and DC still booming!

 

Its not Summer or Christmas but these Movies are Gooooood! When last have you gone to the Theatres?

by What's Hot

After hearing The Equalizer was oh so good, not going to the movies in months and saying, is Denzel Washington back? Hell yea, let’s go see. And indeed he is. BEST movie out right now. Catch it while it’s still out. The movie will have you at the edge of your seat the whole way through, thoroughly impressed with the smooth, ‘badassness’ of Denzel at his age. The movie shows Denzel living a strictly routine, OCD life but some suspect that it has become that way for a reason, what the hell did he do for a living way back?! Curiosity got a young hooker innocently befriending Denzel, but it didn’t kill her. It was the best thing she could have done after her life was threatened and the clock for Denzel went tick tock to go for an entire Russian mafia!

Now, after being pleasantly surprised by The Equalizer, I tuned in to see what else was buzzing on the movie scene. I kept hearing about this Gone Girl with Ben Affleck. Ben Affleck? Boringgggg. I still gave him the benefit of the doubt and watched the trailer. Ok, interested. I wanted to know, did he really kill his wife? Where is this Amy? Watched it. What a freak show! But a good one. What started out to be puzzling, became upsetting, then more dark and finally, hilariously twisted. The movie was inspired from the #1 Best Selling New York Times Novel, ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn. It didn’t matter if Ben Affleck is a boring actor because his character was to be emotionless anyway. So it worked out. Wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending, it left you wanting more or a different angle after all it put you through watching it. Could there be thoughts for a Gone Girl 2? I won’t give anything away on this one, but men, this ain’t no chick flick, you should watch as well.

Fury with Brad Pitt and more men that are quite easy on the eyes is also out in the theatres. Cool trailer as well, involving soldiers in dangerous territory behind enemy lines. But the jury is still out on that one.

Now, November Man with Pierce Brosnan, another veteran actor and ladies sweetheart, showed he is just as fit as Denzel. The movie was full of action. Although it had a cliche CIA storyline, it was still enjoyable.

The Judge with Robert Downey Jr. is out today! Downey Jr. plays a successful lawyer returning home for his mother’s funeral, then faced the fact that his father, the town’s judge, played by Robert Duvall, is suspected of murder. They don’t seem to have the best relationship but ofcourse Downey Jr. tries to get to the bottom of it. What makes it look like more of a good watch, is the fact that Billy Bob Thornton plays the Prosecutor. I am sure Billy Bob will be entertaining, but is that just a set up for a disappointing movie plot overall? We shall see.

Its movie season people, break your usual routine and go see some. Pick, choose and refuse. SuGa’s first pick…..The Equalizer! 

Its not Summer or Christmas but these Movies are Gooooood! When last have you gone to the Theatres?

by What's Hot

After hearing The Equalizer was oh so good, not going to the movies in months and saying, is Denzel Washington back? Hell yea, let’s go see. And indeed he is. BEST movie out right now. Catch it while it’s still out. The movie will have you at the edge of your seat the whole way through, thoroughly impressed with the smooth, ‘badassness’ of Denzel at his age. The movie shows Denzel living a strictly routine, OCD life but some suspect that it has become that way for a reason, what the hell did he do for a living way back?! Curiosity got a young hooker innocently befriending Denzel, but it didn’t kill her. It was the best thing she could have done after her life was threatened and the clock for Denzel went tick tock to go for an entire Russian mafia!

Now, after being pleasantly surprised by The Equalizer, I tuned in to see what else was buzzing on the movie scene. I kept hearing about this Gone Girl with Ben Affleck. Ben Affleck? Boringgggg. I still gave him the benefit of the doubt and watched the trailer. Ok, interested. I wanted to know, did he really kill his wife? Where is this Amy? Watched it. What a freak show! But a good one. What started out to be puzzling, became upsetting, then more dark and finally, hilariously twisted. The movie was inspired from the #1 Best Selling New York Times Novel, ‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn. It didn’t matter if Ben Affleck is a boring actor because his character was to be emotionless anyway. So it worked out. Wasn’t totally satisfied with the ending, it left you wanting more or a different angle after all it put you through watching it. Could there be thoughts for a Gone Girl 2? I won’t give anything away on this one, but men, this ain’t no chick flick, you should watch as well.

Fury with Brad Pitt and more men that are quite easy on the eyes is also out in the theatres. Cool trailer as well, involving soldiers in dangerous territory behind enemy lines. But the jury is still out on that one.

Now, November Man with Pierce Brosnan, another veteran actor and ladies sweetheart, showed he is just as fit as Denzel. The movie was full of action. Although it had a cliche CIA storyline, it was still enjoyable.

The Judge with Robert Downey Jr. is out today! Downey Jr. plays a successful lawyer returning home for his mother’s funeral, then faced the fact that his father, the town’s judge, played by Robert Duvall, is suspected of murder. They don’t seem to have the best relationship but ofcourse Downey Jr. tries to get to the bottom of it. What makes it look like more of a good watch, is the fact that Billy Bob Thornton plays the Prosecutor. I am sure Billy Bob will be entertaining, but is that just a set up for a disappointing movie plot overall? We shall see.

Its movie season people, break your usual routine and go see some. Pick, choose and refuse. SuGa’s first pick…..The Equalizer! 

ICCD 2014 at the Palisadoes Strip, Jamaica

International Coastal Cleanup Day Jamaica 2014 was a Success!

by Charities
ICCD 2014 at the Palisadoes Strip, Jamaica
ICCD 2014 at the Palisadoes Strip, Jamaica

On Saturday, September 20th, the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) had overseen over 100 cleanup sites island wide, including 10 underwater with the participation of 1000s of volunteers.

Gabby from SuGa volunteered by the entrance at the Palisadoes strip. Registration was smooth and very organised, since the majority of volunteers were pre-registered and already had armbands.

The garbage collected was significantly less this year compared to last year, which is a good indication that JET’s environmental workshops and various awareness programmes throughout the year are starting to pay off.

Kudos to JET, as well as the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) who partnered together and organised a massive cleanup at Hellshire Bay Beach.

Keep Jamaica Clean, ‘Nuh Dutty Up Jamaica’ !

YAAD FLAVA Barbecue Sauce, Ketchup and Jerk Seasoning at Sovereign Supermarket

by What's Hot

Last Saturday, Yaad Flava representatives had persons flocking their booth to enjoy their Jerk chicken seasoned with their Jamaican Jerk Gourmet Blend topped off with their Ketchup or Barbecue sauce. The Ketchup had a spicy flavour that would give meats such as chicken, franks and burgers a unique flavour, if you didn’t want it to taste like traditional ketchup. Some persons add ketchup to everything, so mix it up a little. Now the Barbecue sauce was really peppery and would work well with anything you put on the grill. I was also surprised to hear that their well seasoned Jerk Chicken was only left for 5 minutes with their MSG free Jamaican Jerk Gourmet blend seasoning before cooking..

The packaging and labels looked official and calorie counts will be added at a later date according to the representatives. The products are reasonable, some about $600JMD and are all available at Sovereign Supermarket in Sovereign Centre on 106 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6.

 

Tea Tree Crêperie

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Nice atmosphere and good service. Keeping in mind Tea Tree makes everything from scratch, the Nacho Platter took too long to come out, so much so that the Crepes arrived two minutes after. We understood different persons were attending to the order, so there was a lack of communication since the person who made the Crepes probably thought the Nacho Platter was out some time before.  They apologised sincerely.

The Nacho Platter was alright. It could have had more crisp and had cheeses with more flavour. The popular Smoked Marlin Crepe was good. Nice flavour,  accentuated with the pepper jelly. The Crepe au Poulet with chicken breast, mushrooms, white wine dill sauce and mozzarella was bland though. The preferred option was the Calzone Crepe that had chicken breast, white wine tomato sauce layered with 4 cheeses, black olives etc. but they did not have the white wine tomato sauce.

The majority of Crepes range from $1400JMD to $1600JMD. There is an extremely wide range to choose from, whether you are feeling for something savoury or sweet, so you can choose something new every time. It’s a nice daytime spot to take the kids or have a chat with a friend or two.

Tea Tree Crêperie

Ph#: (876) 927-8733

Address: Unit #5. 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston.

Date of visit: 13/9/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Decor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★☆☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★★

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★â˜â€