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Get your Blessing bead Bracelets and support JET today!

by CharitiesWhat's Hot

 

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Image: JET’s Instagram page- jamentrust1991

JET’s custom made Story & Myth Blessing bead bracelets are available now for $1500JMD!

Move over Pandora and Happi Beads! These Blessing bead bracelets are the new craze and they are affordable and available in all of your favourite colours. They will make excellent Christmas gifts.

What does each Bracelet have or come with?

Each bracelet has a unique leaf charm, a tiny JET tag and is accompanied by a card that can also be used as a gift tag. The leaf charm comes in different colours.

What are the Bracelets made of?

They are made from seeds of a grass called Job’s Tears and are assembled by people with physical disabilities.

Proceeds support Jamaica Environment Trust.

Where can you get your Blessing bead Bracelets?

JET’s Office at 123 Constant Spring Road. Unit 5. Kingston 8.

Monarch Pharmacy (All locations)

Blow by Blow (Loshusan)

Craft Cottage (Village Plaza)

*They will also be sold at Market at the Lawn this December 13 & 20

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Nìrvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine is the new Birthday Hot Spot

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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Nirvanna had a packed night last week Thursday. Other than my fiancé, at least 2 or 3 other persons seemed to be celebrating birthdays.

We arrived on time for our reservation at 8:30pm. We were offered a seat by the bar until our table was available close to 9pm. It did not feel like a long wait, as the hostess had a lovely personality, chatted us up a little and we got more than enough time to browse the menu. I usually need more time choosing from an Indian menu. The atmosphere was nice with light Indian music and the decor was modern with a slight, sidewalk-terrace vibe with the arched columns.

We ordered at 9pm and our Tomato Basil soup ($495JMD) arrived quickly within minutes as it should. It was spicy but not hot and flavourful as the basil was fresh.20151203_210919-1.jpg

Our main dishes arrived shortly after our soup cleared. I was impressed that on a completely packed night, food arrived within reasonable time and the service was good. Our waiter could have been more attentive but he was pleasant.

We had the Paneer Tikka Masala ($1395JMD), Chicken with Spinach ($1595JMD) and Chicken with Fenugreek ($1595JMD). I think the dishes could have at least been served with the steamed basmati rice, but if desired, it would be at an additional cost. So we ordered the rice, Tandoori Roti and Tandoori Garlic Naan as our sides. Wine was reasonably priced by the glass and we had Chardonnay and Merlot.

When there is a debate about the winning dish, that is a good thing. I loved the Chicken with Spinach that was thick silky creamy sauce mildly spiced with garlic and masala tossed with boneless chicken tikka chunks versus the Chicken with Fenugreek that won by majority, which was thick silky creamy methi gravy mildly spiced with garlic and masala tossed with boneless chicken tikka chunks.

Something was a little different about the Tikka Masala so it lost out. Although Indian Cuisine is not native to our tongue, we have enjoyed others a bit more. My other half thought that it’s usually in a thicker sauce as well.

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A mini Chocolate Mousse Cake ($850JMD) from the Montego Bay Chocolate Company that has other desserts in there, was a lovely end to the meal. It was very small but moist and delicious.

A pretty pricey menu but worth it. They normally say different strokes for different folks but I think it is safe to say Nirvanna pleases on every level.

Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

***Reservations recommended***

*All prices subject to G.C.T and 5% service charge

Location: 1A 80 Lady Musgrave Rd. Kgn. 10

Ph: 876-927-9077

Facebook (Menu posted): Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

Instagram: nirvannaindianja

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How was Restaurant Week Jamaica?!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Restaurants in the 3 cities were certainly buzzing with diners throughout Restaurant Week (RW) that was held November 13 – 21. Persons were excited to ‘Dig in’, the slogan used for this year’s RW.

Suga was happy to report that all, if not, most of her recommendations were excellent choices based on feedback from Suga bears a.k.a. Suga Lifestyle readers and friends.

Just to highlight a few,

One Love Cafe at Bob Marley’s Museum and Susie’s Bakery & Coffee Bar really satisfied diners for the Nyam and Scram category.

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Lillian’s Restaurant                       Image: RWJ 2015 Index on go-jamaica.com

For the Tasty Category, the UTECH students from Lillian’s Restaurant who seemed to put a lot of effort into their menu, offering unique dishes at a low cost showed that there is a bright future ahead for Jamaica in the Culinary industry.

Lillian’s was delightful. They had a pleasant and attentive waitress, yet not overbearing, as well as helpful staff. Decor was simple yet appropriate and clean, with soft classical music. The Jerked Chicken Chowder and Salt Fish Tostones they served as Appetizers had lovely flavours and the Salad was fresh with a decent serving. Their Main course was enjoyed by all at the table. Generous servings as well. Their Peppercorn Crusted Beef was cooked exactly as ordered, the Cinnamon Braised Pineapple Pork was succulent and not overdone, the Seared Trout and Creamy Chicken Sauté dishes were tasty. Desserts were also very good. Their Rum and Raisin cake, Passion Trifle and Chocolate and Banana Bread Pudding were yummy. Well done Lillian’s!

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Sea Deck           Photo credit: Emile Pitt

Sea Deck had nice, big, tasty servings as usual with decent service.

C & C South Beach Restaurant in the Savoury category got two thumbs up. Their service, food and atmosphere were impressive. Kudos to them for a 10 minute waiting time during RW!

Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove, Ocho Rios was a winner for the Delectable category. No surprise there. Props to Executive Chef Conroy Arnold for sustaining a high standard of food quality and service. The ambience there is just an added plus.

Then of course, with a full review coming soon, Marguerites Seafood by the Sea in Montego Bay took the Epicurean category hands down. Excellent ambience, service and food topped off by a premium selection of wines.

Well done Restaurants, looking forward to next year!

 

 

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Mmmmm Savoury! Where to go for RW?!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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The Savoury Category costs $2800JMD (Includes choice of Appetizer, Main course and Dessert. Beverages, G.C.T and Gratuity additional). 

*Reservations recommended

Caffé Da Vince, which was a success for last year’s RW even with a full house, had delicious food and good service. This year they will have a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella and tomato in a balance reduction. Oxtail Ravioli, Beef and Pork Tenderloin are on the main, then White chocolate strawberry cheese cake to finish. Imagine, there are lots more dishes on that menu too!

Fromage, always a fave of mine, will be offering Korean BBq Pulled Pork with Asian slaw and fries that should be delightful, as well as their other menu items.

C & C South Beach have really revamped themself this year. They have great choices from Appetizers to Desserts. See their recent review and RW recommendations by clicking on the link below:

C&C South Beach, one of many in the Savoury Category for RWJ!

Beirut Mediterranean Cuisine don’t look too bad this year. Their Chickpea purée with sesame paste lemon juice and olive oil, served with fresh pita bread and their Beirut Mixed Grill with 3 skewers of Beef, Chicken and minced Lamb looks decent.

Gimbilyn Restaurant at Alhambra Inn seems to always be off the radar, but has proven to be a lovely experience, especially last year. Their Fish pocket appetizer looks interesting and they have a wide range of main dishes including Chicken, Pork, Mahi Mahi, Beef and a Vegan option. Their dessert options look fantastic as well, including Plain and Chocolate Cake Rum Lollipops, Cheesecake and a Warm Coffee Bread Pudding that is known to be good.

M-10 should have dishes with a burst of Jamaican flavour. Ackee or Callaloo Quiche to start and Smoked Pork chops or their Fish fillet in coconut sauce to follow? Yum!

What’s sizzling on the North Coast?

Evita’s in Ocho Rios was a winner last year. This year they look like they will please diners with their Jamaican Viagra Conch Fritters. Yes I did say Viagra. Looks like the magic will be in the Chef’s special ‘Jerk’ sauce that it is served with.

Mystic India in Montego Bay seems to be the choice for Indian cuisine this year. They always have sizzling options on a regular basis and their menu will include just that, for instance, Chilli Shrimp, Mutton Sheekh Kebab and Tandoori Chicken. That is just an appetizer!

MoBay is also home to the well known, Pelican Grill and Seahorse Grill. Pelican Grill has good service, tasty food and is always a pleasure to visit. Their Surf and Turf as well as their Grilled Fillet of Steak and Lobster look like excellent options. Seahorse Grill will have Smoked Blue Marlin on toast with herbed cream cheese, Hummus Dip with roasted peppers, kalamata olives and pita points as two of the choices for appetizers. Their Shrimp Saint James with savoury shrimp, simmered in a New Orleans style Creole sauce, with red onion, tomato, red and green peppers, okra and jerk sausage looks like all kinds of goodness. Then there is much more!

Remember you can give your feedback here or go to the Restaurant Week Jamaica 2015 index page, choose the Restaurants and rate them.

Dig In!

Contact information and locations for Restaurants mentioned:

Caffé Da Vinci
Location: Market Place. 67 Constant Spring Rd.
Ph: 876-906-9051

Fromage Gourmet Market
Address: 8 Hillcrest Ave., Kingston 6
Ph#: 876-622-9856

C & C South Beach Restaurant, Sports Bar and Event Venue
Location: 2 Brompton Road. Kingston 5
Ph: 876-630-4571 or 876-630-4163

Beirut Mediterranean Cuisine
Location: Market Place. 67 Constant Spring Road.
Ph: 876-395-7577

Gimbilyn Restaurant at Alhambra Inn
1 Tucker Avenue Kingston, Jamaica
Ph: 876-978-9072

M-10 Bar & Grill
6 Vineyard Road, Kingston 3, Vineyard Town, Kingston.
Ph: 876-930-2112 or 876-815-5644

Evita’s Italian Restaurant
Location: Eden Bower Road (Just up the hill opposite Taj Mahal Shopping Center). Ocho Rios
Ph.: 876-974-233

Mystic India
Location: Whitter Village, Ironshore Montego Bay
Ph: 876-953-9460 / 876-953-0659

Pelican Grill
Location: Gloucester Avenue Strip Montego Bay
Ph: 876-952-3171

Seahorse Grill
Location: MoBay Yacht Club. Freeport. Sunset Drive, Montego Bay
Ph: 876-684-9133

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Where else to Dig In for RW’s Nyam & Scram Category!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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Considering value for money, hunger satisfaction and quick service, Suga endorses the following:

Other than One Love Cafe with their delicious, filling Sandwiches/Wraps and freshly made juices for $1000JMD, there are many other good deals for RW’s Nyam and Scram category.

Asia’s Cafe by York Pharmacy that is open 24 hrs has a Soup, Burger and Dessert combo for $695JMD.

Cafe Blue will be serving a delicious looking Bread pudding combined with a Sandwich/Panini and coffee for $550JMD!

Chilitos Jamexican Food will be serving delicious, filling Quesadillas, Burritos and Tacos that are all served with chips and salsa or cheese and a drink, ranging from $750 to $900JMD.

The popular and affordable lunch spot, Fish Pot will serve Curry Fish and mixed Vegetable rice with a sorbet and Sweet Chili Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables with a sorbet, both for $399JMD. Yum!

The salivating, authentic Jamaican Cuisine spot, M-10 (Barbican) will serve two-dish combos from $875-$980JMD. Curry Goat, Stewed Pork, Peppered steak and more. Bellyfull!

Susie’s Bakery and Coffee Bar will be offering their usual steal of a deal. Chicken Alfredo, Coconut Fish Fillet and Rolled Roast Pork for $995JMD tax included from 11am everyday and you can call 876-968-5030 for pick up!

The Brick Oven will have Sandwich/Patty and Cinnamon Bun/Coconut Rum Cake for $550JMD and $400JMD respectively.

Feeling fancy? The Regency Bar and Lounge will offer between 11am and 5pm for $1100JMD per person plus 10% G.C.T and 10% Service charge, a lunch option and a dessert shot such as their famous Lobster Mac as well as Salmon cakes, Oxtail Tart and Meat Sliders.

Remember you can give your feedback here or go the Restaurant Week Jamaica 2015 index page, choose the Restaurants and rate them.

Dig In!

Contact information and locations for Restaurants mentioned:

One Love Cafe
56 Hope Road. Kingston 6
Ph: (876) 630-1588

Asia’s Cafe
(located inside York Pharmacy), Kingston, Jamaica
Ph: (876) 754-3707

Cafe Blue
1A Sovereign Centre Kingston, Jamaica
106 Hope Road. Kgn. 6
Ph: (876) 901-3477

OR
Fontana Pharmacy, Fairview Montego Bay
Ph: (876) 622-9849

Chilitos Jamexican Food
64 Hope Road Kingston, Jamaica
Ph: (876) 978-0537

Fish Pot
39a Half-Way-Tree Road Kingston, Jamaica
Ph: (876) 908-2193

M-10 Bar and Grill (Barbican)
28 Barbican Road, Kingston 6, St Andrew
Ph: (876)336-6969 or (876)408-5819

Susie’s Bakery and Coffee Bar
2 South Avenue | Southdale Plaza Kingston, Jamaica
Ph: (876) 968-6878

The Brick Oven
49A Hope Road (Beside T.G.I.F.) Kingston, Jamaica
PHONE: (876) 946-2153

The Regency Bar and Lounge
Located at the Terra Nova Hotel – 7 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10
Ph: (876) 926-2211

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RW Ambassador Gabby enjoyed One Love Cafe for Nyam and Scram!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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Last Saturday, I visited One Love Cafe inside of Bob Marley Museum at about 3:30pm for the Nyam and Scram Category of Restaurant week.

One Love Cafe is offering Sandwiches/Wraps and a Freshly made drink for $1000JMD.

There were only a few people dining including tourists, so I was excited to know I should get through quickly. Not sure if much people know about this spot yet but you should. Easy, accessible parking in the middle of the day on a Saturday and quick service in a comfortable, safe environment.

The dynamic duo of Mood Sky a.k.a. Maurice and Steve greeted me pleasantly and had lovely, rootsy personalities. It was my first visit there and I felt like a regular.

They were out of Fish so I ordered the Jerked Chicken Wrap that was ready within 5 minutes! I had the choice of adding Mozzarella, Pepperjack or Cheddar cheese and I chose the Pepperjack. I chose my veggies as well and was asked if I wanted Pineapple in my Wrap. I am not a fan of Pineapple if I am not eating it just as a fruit, i.e. by itself so said no thanks, but Mood Sky encouraged me to try it because it brings out the taste. He was right! The pineapple complemented the Jerked Chicken in a tasty way, adding even more flavour to the well seasoned Jerked Chicken with the perfect amount of spice. The sauce was nice and quelled the spicy flavour a bit. The Wrap was also a decent size and filling.

Jerked Chicken Wrap and Ginger Lion Juice
Jerked Chicken Wrap and Ginger Lion Juice

They had the Ginger Lion, Carrot and Tamarind juices available. I asked for the Ginger Lion and to ensure I was happy with my choice, Steve offered me a sample that made me even more happy with my decision. He told me it was the better version of a Ginger Beer and it was indeed.

What else does One Love Cafe have to offer on a regular basis?

They have a Plasma screen that displays their menu clearly. They do Melts, Wraps, Burgers and Sandwiches such as Mozzarella and Mushroom Melts, Veggie/Fish/Turkey/Chicken Burgers, Egg Sandwiches, Garden and Chicken salads and more, all for $800JMD or less. Freshly made Juices cost $400JMD and they also make Smoothies for the Fitness Junkies.

It was a refreshing, interactive experience and I look forward to returning. One Love!

One Love Cafe 

(Inside Bob Marley Museum)

56 Hope Road. Kingston 6

Ph: 876-630-1588

L-R: Gabby from Suga Lifestyle and Maurice from One Love Cafe
L-R: Gabby from Suga Lifestyle and Maurice a.k.a Mood Sky from One Love Cafe
Image: The Jamaica Gleaner White Chocolate Cheesecake from The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel

Restaurant Week Jamaica Begins Today! Where to dress up and go to!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot
Image: The Jamaica Gleaner White Chocolate Cheesecake from The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel
Image: The Jamaica Gleaner
White Chocolate Cheesecake from The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel

The Cost of Restaurants in the Epicurean category is $4300JMD and includes an appetizer, salad, main course and dessert. Beverage, GCT and gratuity are additional, so it works out to about $6000JMD per person.

For Kingston, both Rojo Restaurant at Spanish Court Hotel and The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel are good choices. Rojo may be more suited for a date or party of 4. While Terra Nova may suit bigger parties such as a family affair or dinner/lunch with the coworkers.

Rojo is known to have excellent service and a lovely ambience. Their menu for Restaurant week has finally changed as well. The Pan Seared Shrimp and Lobster with a Herbed Scotch Bonnet Cocktail Sauce and Mixed Greens or Seafood Chowder Flavourful Soup with Calamari, Snapper, Shrimp and Mussels, garnished with Scallion looks great for the Appetizer and Soup.

For the main, the Chicken Rojo with Chicken Breast filled with Ham, Sweet Pepper, Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese, covered with Seasoned Breadcrumbs then pan-fried, served with a Rose Sauce and Mashed Potatoes looks exciting as well as the Seafood Linguini with Shrimp, Calamari, Snapper & Mussels sautéed in Fresh Garlic, Herbs and a Squeeze of Lemon, all finished in a Basil Pesto Sauce, topped with Parmesan Cheese.

For dessert, their Crème Brulee is usually good.

Terra Nova’s menu seems to have a little more variety and if you are a Lamb or Pork Loin lover, they usually excel with those dishes. Spicily seasoned Salmon cakes served with a Jalapeno Slaw should be a good starter and their White Chocolate Cheesecake with fresh Berry Compote, a delicious conclusion.

Now, where to go out of town? Round Hill Hotel and Villas’ menu seems to lack variety. I doubt persons would be looking forward to Fried Chicken or Fish and Grits for an Epicurean experience. So Suga will be choosing Marguerites Seafood by the Sea in Montego Bay for Epicurean this year! It will be an out of town experience with a salivating menu. I am looking forward to the Boston Beggars Purse Appetizer with Crisp wontons filled with creamy cheese and Jerk chicken breast with Asian slaw followed by their Pan seared scallops for the entrée that will include Smoked bacon and more. Their menu on the website is different from the one published so that may need some clarification because the menu online looks like quite the gourmet affair!

Look forward to dressing up and going to these restaurants. That is part of the fun about this category. Gentlemen, button up shirts are a must and no sneakers. Ladies you can still show a little skin and be classy. Flash back Friday to my style in the FLAIR last Monday!

Image: The Jamaica Gleaner FLAIR Magazine (Mikey Wilson) - 9.11.15
Image: The Jamaica Gleaner FLAIR Magazine (Mikey Wilson) – 9.11.15

***If you haven’t made reservations already, that is a must. Available space goes fast, especially with Rojo.

Contact information and locations for Restaurants:

Rojo Restaurant at Spanish Court Hotel
ADDRESS: 1 St Lucia Avenue Kingston, Jamaica
PHONE: 876-926-0000
Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel
ADDRESS: 7 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10, Jamaica, Kingston
PHONE: 876- 926-2211
Marguerites Seafood by the Sea (Montego Bay)
ADDRESS: Gloucester Ave., Montego Bay, Montego Bay, Jamaica
PHONE: 876-952-4777

ENJOY !!!