PhotoGrid_1447775101076

Mmmmm Savoury! Where to go for RW?!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

PhotoGrid_1447775101076

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

Screenshot_2015-11-16-17-13-55-1

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

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

Screenshot_2015-11-16-17-13-55-1

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

PhotoGrid_1447634277978

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

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

PhotoGrid_1447634277978

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 !!!

20151112_084147-1

Check out what Suga had to say about Whitebones in your Jamaica Gleaner today!

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

20151112_084147-1

Check the link to the article from the Jamaica Gleaner here:

http://jamaicagleaner.com/article/food/20151112/whitebones

But all that glitters is not Gold right? Although the negatives were negligible, Whitebones Seafood has not really changed since my last visit over a year ago. Their decor needs a makeover for a Restaurant in the Delectable category and so does their flatware. It is about time for those plates with the fishes to go! They have uplifting placemats but they are not practical for drinks and small tables. The aquarium could use some lighting and I do not think the kitchen should be so open to the diner’s eye.

20151109_181755The Fish cakes were a meagre serving and the Steak Tenderloin my fiancé, Randy had was overcooked. It was to be medium rare. Our waiter Sean apologised respectfully. 20151109_182448He also made us aware that Lobster is usually the most popular entrée choice for diners during Restaurant Week, as persons may not have it often and it is seasonal. So that is something to consider if Whitebones is your choice, but there is a large range of options on their menu.

The Black Forest Cake for dessert looked like a PriceSmart cake but the aroma of the rum from the Bread Pudding which seemed to be made in-house distracted me from the cake. Restaurants, especially those that do not usually offer dessert should avoid offering store-bought cake. I think it is better and safer to just offer ice cream!

Thankfully they have upheld their standard of good service and delicious food. So it was not perfect, but definitely Suga endorsed.

PhotoGrid_1447336044397

Menus for Restaurant Week Jamaica 2015 are also out today! So buy your Jamaica Gleaner NOW if you haven’t already. You know it’s Food Day. Get ready to Dig in starting tomorrow!

Also see what other ambassadors had to say about Restaurants they visited.

The clock is ticking!

20151106_203159

Lucky Strike Lounge for the Tasty Category for RWJ!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

20151106_203159

The Restaurant Week Ambassador Lyme was held last Friday evening and Suga got to Dig In and preview what is coming for Restaurant Week.

For Appetizers, their Deep fried Mac and Cheese balls with codfish drizzled with a Tamarind glaze is tasty and has an interesting sweet aftertaste.

Entrées that look like winners are the Chimichanga (Slivers of jerked pork wrapped in a warm tortilla served with guacamole, salsa and sour cream) and their famous Fried Chicken and Waffles, tender finger grips on fresh Belgian Waffles! Yum!

Note that the Chef loves to make things spicy so that Jerked pork may be hot hot hot like their Seafood bowl that they serve on Wednesday nights.

For Dessert they have Cuban Bread Pudding served with a warm coffee caramel that I hear is quite small in size and more Waffles! A warm Belgian waffle served with your choice ice-cream topped with a warm fruit compote.

So Dig In at Lucky Strike for the Tasty Category, costing $1850JMD (Beverages, G.C.T and Gratuity not included). You may choose any one Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert along with your salad.

Lucky Strike Lounge

Location: 195 C Constant Spring Road (Manor Centre), Kingston 8
Ph: 876-631-9980, 876-631-9797

PhotoGrid_1446728309090

JERKAZ Restaurant off the Grid

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

PhotoGrid_1446728309090

Last October 15th before the Heroes Weekend holiday, Jerkaz was visited by my fiancé and friends. The Jerk Chicken costed about $500JMD inclusive of tax and the bill was $4000JMD for 3 people and soup was ordered with one of the meals. So reasonable to an extent.

Service was alright but they were the only people there, so hard to judge versus if there were more diners present.

The serving size was decent and provided value for money. However, their style of cooking is by smoking the chicken, not jerking. So why not call it Smokaz?

JERKAZ Restaurant has a lot of potential to be a nice chill spot to have some drinks and affordable food. Perhaps they should participate in Restaurant Week next year in the Tasty category for more exposure. Until then, a different marketing strategy needs to be used and they should ensure that they are prepared for an increased amount of diners.

JERKAZ Restaurant

55 Old Hope Rd. Kingston 6

Correction Update for Pork Palooza

by What's Hot

Hi Suga Readers,

Two important corrections re Pork Palooza published on Friday, October 30, 2015 have come to my attention. The first was updated on the same day the article was published. Please take special note of the 2nd correction with regards to the judging of the chefs for the night.

  1. It was the organizers and not Alexa Von Strolley that had a treat for patrons with a Copperwood Pork creation! They had something that many people have a weakness for – Bacon! Candied (not Caramelized) bacon. It was the rave of the night. It was in beer cups floating around the venue. Extremely tasty with a unique presentation. It was like picking sweetie out of a candy jar.

2. How exactly did the voting process go?

According to Tina Hamilton, Brand Manager of CB Foods and Nutramix, only the 8 featured chefs were eligible to win Top Hog. Voting was done by the patrons who were given voting tabs at the entrance along with their wrist bands.

Somehow, every patron was not aware, but Ms. Hamilton stated that they were urged to vote for their favorite chef throughout the night by dropping their tab in a voting box provided at the chefs’ stations. These boxes were collected and votes tallied at 10:25pm showing Dale de Lisser as the one with the most votes. Anyone who voted for Dale also got a takeaway gift from Copperwood.

If you missed the review on Pork Palooza or you would like to just read the updated review, click on the link below:

My My My, Fling Back Friday to Pork Palooza!

Screenshot_2015-10-24-19-09-00-2

Oxtail Lunch from M10 Barbican!

by FoodpornRestaurant Reviews & Ratings
Screenshot_2015-10-24-19-09-00-2
Photo credit: Kashka Thompson

M-10 Bar & Grill Barbican will be offering 2-dish combos for less than $1000JMD in the Nyam and Scram Category for Restaurant Week, November 13-21. Go get it! #sugaendorsed

Location: 28 Barbican Road. Kingston 6.       

Ph: (876)336-6969 or (876)408-5819

Open Monday to Saturday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm