‘Tis the season to treat yourself! Check out 24 Seven Cafe!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

As Christmas Day gets closer, the Christmas specials get ‘yummier’. Check out 24 Seven Cafe’s delicious Strawberry Cheesecake, Mocha Cheesecake and Peppermint Mocha. They have Peppermint Mocha and White hot Chocolate as Christmas Specials.

The temperature where the cakes were kept may have been a bit too low for the Strawberry Cheesecake but as time went by, it got softer and ‘yummier’ with each bite until it was just right. The taste of mocha was strong in the Mocha Cheesecake and it was moist and divine. The Peppermint Mocha had the essence of peppermint throughout and not just at the top where you could see the sprinkles.

The Christmas decor at the Jamaica Pegasus was tastefully done. You will surely feel the spirit of Christmas there, peaceful and joyous simultaneously.

Have you been 689’d by this Oxtail Lasagne yet?

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & Ratings

Check out 689 by Brian Lumley’s restaurant located below the QUAD in New Kingston for this divine, sinful Oxtail Lasagne that melts in your mouth. This may be your last chance since the menu will be changing in January. Also, it is only available on Wednesdays and Sundays.

It’s pricy but I guess you have to remember you are getting food from a Celebrity Chef.

It costs $2650JMD +GCT + Service charge but it is definitely worth a try. Surely do not forget your Pop Up Gourmet Advantage card to bring the cost below $3000JMD.

The Layer Cake is doing Fruit Cakes this Christmas!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

The Layer Cake at Jerkaz Restaurant on Old Hope Road has delicious and festively packaged traditional dark fruit cake for Christmas!

The cake is stocked with premium ingredients and soaked in Layer Cake’s special wine and Jamaican rum blend. Rich and moist.

They are sold with or without gift wraps at $1800JMD per pound.

Order now!!! Call 570-2253

Bamboo Blu waitresses have no clue

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

I went to Bamboo Blu a few weeks ago. It was a lovely beach day. Bamboo Blu is one of the beaches by Mammee Bay, Ocho Rios that isn’t usually crowded and they just ask that you support the restaurant and bar. Their cabanas are rentals and not for free. So carry your own beach mat or chair if you are not up for that. Depending on the season, if cruise ships are not coming in, you can get them for a reasonable price.

The service that day was horrible though. I’ve heard people have had better but I ordered food for a certain time, an hour and a half before I was ready for it. When the time came, no food. The waitress looked like she had amnesia. The order was not put in and I had to wait half an hour for appetizers. I had the Fried Calamari followed by their Cheeseburger with what was to be seasoned fries. The fries were not good at all. Soft and oily. They came with plain fries at first, when I ordered seasoned. Then it looked like they just sprinkled a spice on it that had no flavour whatsoever. The Calamari was ok though.

Their bar service was slow as well. Clearly the waitresses need some training, as they were not pleasant, attentive or efficient. Thank God I could use my Pop-Up Gourmet Card to somewhat compensate for that pathetic service.

Speaknvegan for Lunch!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Have you tried Speaknvegan for lunch yet? I had the refreshing experience 2 weeks ago. I regret taking so long to do so. Speaknvegan was trademarked and featured on Smile Jamaica TVJ just a few months ago, but has been in operation for about a year. The business may be familiar to some as ‘Salads and Shakes by Stace’, but has evolved greatly. Stacy Doughlasingh, the chef responsible for the tasty, Vegan food offered, graduated from UTECH with a degree in Hotel and Tourism a Management not too long ago. It is always pleasing to see young, talented persons go after their dream and actually enjoying what they do for a living.

I think she is off to a great start with a menu that keeps changing, is so creative and also inviting to the eyes. The day I ordered for pick up, I had difficulty choosing amongst Plantain and Hummus Tacos, Black Bean Fajitas and a Chick’n Chutney Burger. I went with the Black Bean Fajitas that consisted of Black beans sauteed in a chilli sauce, along with avocado, diced tomatoes, vegan cream cheese and parsley. My order was ready on time and it was evident that effort was made for its presentation, a crucial element lacking from a lot of lunch establishments. The ingredients complemented each other well and it was quite tasty. The portion size may be small for some though, perhaps a small soup or shake could be added as a combo.

The instagram account, SPEAKNVEGAN is quite active and gives customers an idea of various selections available for order or special request. There are soup and shake options such as Curried Sweet Potato soup, Thai Coconut Corn soup and Kale and Pumpkin soup. Other interesting options are the spicy medium Ackee Pizza with beet root, okra, tomato and vegetables, the Chilli Sub (a favourite amongst customers) and the Burrito bowl with chopped Veggie Steak just to name a few. Mouth-watering Dessert options are available as well.

So check out Speaknvegan on instagram and order some of those affordable, delightful vegan dishes, whether it’s for lunch, a Wedding, Live event, Family event or just Personal catering. Vegan lunches are available for Pick-up or Delivery on Tuesday to Friday from 10 to 3pm. Orders should be made the day before or by 11am latest by calling 876-378-5094. 

Caffé da Vince Closes Restaurant Week in Style for Gabby and Friends

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Caffé da Vince was a lovely close to Gabby’s Restaurant Week from SuGa last Friday night. Restaurants at The Marketplace were filled to capacity. We had to circle the parking lot a few times to eventually get a spot. Outside seating for all restaurants was expanded and there was live entertainment. It reminded me of dining at a local hotel on the North Coast waiting on a cabaret show.

The hostess was pleasant, and even though they forgot to change our reservation from 2 persons to 4, we were accommodated quickly.

Despite the full house, the food still arrived in a reasonable amount of time. All appetizers were delish. We tried the Eggplant Caprese salad, Shrimp salad and Pork balls. The portion size for the Pork balls was small, but their delightful taste made up for it.

For our entrées, we had the Mixed Grill Seafood, Beef and Pork Tenderloin. The Beef and Pork were tender and scrumptious. The cream and mushroom sauce on the Beef Tenderloin was exquisite. The Mixed Grill Seafood had mostly lobster, a few shrimps and hardly any scallops. I expected a more equal variety. The shrimp and scallops were spicy, however some flavour could have been added to the lobster, perhaps a sauce or even fresh lemon or lime on the side. The serving sizes were not overwhelming, they were just right so we had room for dessert.

Dessert ended with dry Bread Pudding masked by Vanilla ice cream and a heavenly Tiramisu.

All dishes were not perfect, the menu was slightly different from the one advertised, but there was still a large variety to choose from and it was indeed enjoyable compared to some unhappy diners across from us at Beirut Mediterranean Cuisine who did not enjoy their long wait or unsavoury food. So good job Caffé da Vince!

Caffé da Vince

Ph#: 876-906-9051

Address: The Marketplace, 67 Constant Spring Rd., Kingston

Date of visit: 21/11/14

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Decor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆