Gloria’s come a town?! No, it’s Sea Deck in Orchid Village Plaza, Barbican!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

For a restaurant that opened mid-last year to be so good but off the radar, it must be a hidden gem. I was instantly impressed as I stepped into the restaurant last Saturday night at about 7:50pm. Lovely ambience and cosy decor with even a fish pond full of beautiful koi on the left side where my friend and I were seated. The hostess and waitress were polite but not pleasant.

Main dishes were ordered, then with a change of heart we wished to order appetizers as well. We felt stranded at sea, beckoning for a waitress with none to our rescue. Luckily the catch of the day came within a few minutes. Seafood freshly cooked to order, taking just under 20 minutes, really?! Awesome. I ordered the Shrimp in garlic sauce with Mashed Potatoes ($1800JMD+tx). No complaints about the Shrimp, they were delicious. The Mashed Potatoes were a bit tough. Got milk? The Steamed Fish was HUGE for just ($1500JMD+tx) with a side of Bammy. It was perfect, bursting with flavour. Definitely more than value for our money. Maybe Chef and Restaurant owner, Yan Yao who has been a restaurateur for almost 15 years was responsible for that unique, burst of flavour.

So, great night, but I could do without the live DJ. The table beside us shared the same sentiment and asked for the music to be turned down, then it was tolerable.

The restaurant also offers other meat varieties and even vegetarian dishes. However, the front of the menu couldn’t be more accurate, ‘Sea Deck – Finest Seafood Dishes in Town’. Suga Lifestyle cannot wait to return and taste the other seafood varieties they offer such as King Crab, Mussels, Lobster, Conch, Squid and more.

Opening hours – Sundays to Thursdays: 12 noon to 10pm and Fridays to Saturdays: 12 noon to 11pm.

Ph. : 876-702-4032

South Beach Cafe, now C&C South Beach Cafe is revived!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

I have been invited to C&C South Beach Cafe twice in one month after a long while,  so I knew something had to be different. They are now under new management and their presence was definitely felt. The hostesses that meet you from the parking lot are extremely polite and friendly, in a genuine way.

Last Friday night after being seated, my beau and I were neglected for a little while, so called for a waitress. We were told one would be coming shortly, then immediately came Shara who apologised profusely that she was not aware we were seated. Thankfully, Shara is one of a kind, a comedian in fact.

We ordered and the food came out soon after. My order of Burger Sliders was missing the fries, but Shara continuing to be full of jokes and fun, made me forget quickly that any issue arised and ensured that the fries came soon after. The Sliders were tasty and I loved that they didn’t just heat up frozen meat. It was obviously freshly cooked. They also got me to eat the small vegetable salad that accompanied it because of the tasty vinaigrette. The Chicken Quesadillas were not as spicy as advertised but had a lovely flavour as well. Happily, we made the right choice in Cocktails. The Mai Tai (Dark rum, Light rum, Pine Juice, Orgeat Syrup, Lime juice) was good, but I preferred the Caribbean Surf (Blue Curacao, Appleton, Vodka, Pine juice) that was refreshingly good. I was also impressed with the fact that the Blue Curacao did not overpower the drink, making it taste too minty or like menthol as some other bars do.

There is a wide range of dishes on the menu and most items seem to be reasonably and appropriately priced. What should be noted is that the prices on the menus issued at the bar already include GCT and there is no service charge. High-end dishes have high-end prices. For instance, entrees range from a Chicken Mushroom Marsala at $1650JMD to a Grilled Fillet Mignon at $4500JMD. Therefore, in alignment with prices at more reputable establishments. Was that the smart thing to do so early? We will see but they are clearly setting a high standard for themselves. Not perfect yet, but hey, neither are the others. Grilled Fillet of Atlantic Salmon ($2750JMD), Lamb Chops and Lobster Thermidor ($3800JMD) and Linguini Primavera ($2250JMD) are just a few of the other entrees on the menu. Cocktails range from $500-$750JMD.

Mr. David Thompson, Marketing Executive along with two others calmly but efficiently supervised the area and also checked if everything was ok.

Also, it is evident that parking is not sufficient in front of South Beach but you don’t have to park on the side of the road. Parking has been made available at a nearby, suitable venue up the road, from which they now provide a shuttle service. Suga likes the changes and will be returning soon and definitely asking for Shara.

TGIF’s Service Finally Improves!

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

TGIF’s service has been on quite a decline, but they have made a complete 360º turnaround. For a full night last week, persons were seated in a reasonable amount of time. Waitresses checked that everything was alright around the clock and the quality of the food remained consistently savoury. They also seemed to have not one, but two ‘managers’ supervising tables and interacting briefly with diners. No wonder the waitresses were dotting their Ts and crossing their Is.

For my appetizer, the Loaded Potato Skins were alright, but needed to be flavoured with herbs and a sharper tasting cheese. The Jack Daniel’s Chicken was on point. The chicken breast was cooked to perfection.The Cajun Shrimp and Chicken Pasta had too much sauce but it was spicy as expected and flavourful. Then of course, the Double Chocolate Fudgy Brownie was huge and definitive of ‘#foodporn’. Their Lynchburg Lemonade made with Jack Daniels Whiskey, Triple sec and Lemon lime soda for just $500JMD was refreshingly good. All very affordable as well.

Keep that rhythm going, lots and lots of rhythm! It’s Friday! Hit ’em up today!

 

Top 7 Restaurants to Wine and Dine Tomorrow in Kingston, Ja

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Expensive (~$4000-$5000JMD per person)

1. Rojo at Spanish Court Hotel

2. Strawberry Hill

3. Terra Nova All Suite Hotel (The Terrace)

Mid-range (~$2500-$3500JMD per person)

4. Majestic Sushi and Grill, Villa Ronai

5. The Blue Window at The Jamaica Pegasus

Affordable (~$1500-$2800JMD per person)

6. South Avenue Grill

7. EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse, Newcastle

*Considering at least 2 courses, not including beverages

A-Bar Restaurant and Lounge gets a ‘D’ from Suga

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

I haven’t been to A-Bar Restaurant and Lounge located in Springs Plaza for months. But I have been craving changes since becoming bored with the current restaurant and bar scene in Kingston, Jamaica. A-Bar is known to have a young demographic and that surely has not changed.

After passing the entertainment of a small ‘street dance’ by the parking lot at the corner of the plaza, the hosts were pleasant upon entry and I was seated at the bar until an available table was ready. Did I just walk into the Youth View Awards though? ‘Flashes Flashes, Lights Lights’, all around as different ‘teeny bopper’ groups posed for not only their phone cameras but it seemed like A-Bar had professional camera staff on hand as well. Clearly not my scene, but what’s important is they looked like they were having a good time. The music was loud but I could still have a conversation, unlike Ribbiz UltraLounge, where I can hardly hear myself.

My other half and I were really hungry so decided to order food at 8:50pm and wait on it before having any liquor. However, I had my eyes on the A-Bar Mojito that I saw being served in a jar, that looked extremely refreshing. Lovely presentation.

The drinks menu was extensive and the food menu had a range of items as well. I liked that they offered Popcorn Lobster, Calamari and Cocktail Shrimp for appetizers, compared to the usual Wings and Quesadillas at other places. They did not have the Soup of the day available though. Not even a substitute.

Their entrees were quite affordable, ranging in price from $950-$2500JMD. Entrees included Pork Skewers, Fried Chicken, Shrimp Pasta Linguini, Rock Lobster, Grilled Salmon and more.

As we waited, we were approached by different waitresses asking if everything was ok. My main concern was the food, then as time went by with all the televisions they had mounted, I requested to see a basketball game that was on. Different waitresses took this request and after half an hour, there was no food and no channel change. The food came a few minutes later. The presentation of the Jerk Chicken Penne Pasta with Shrimp that I ordered was sloppy. It looked like they threw everything in there and scantily added a few shrimps that I had paid extra money for. The excess pasta sauce should have been wiped off the sides of the plate. The creamy sauce was average and the chicken was bland.

My other half had the Chicken Breast that was supposed to be stuffed with plantain, but instead he got what seemed to be callaloo with cream cheese. From a glance at the chicken, it looked overcooked. Typical Jamaicans overcooking a Chicken Breast. Of course, it tasted that way as well, not even slightly overcooked but more on the tough side.

I also quickly ordered the A-Bar Mojitos as the food arrived at 9:30pm to hear ‘Sarry, it done. Dat’s why unnu shoulda orda long time when me ask you’. That is as close to what I can remember the waitress saying. Excuse me??!! It’s 9:30pm and I am at a bar and one of the signature drinks is finished? It wasn’t even ‘bar time’ yet. It was dinner time. Furthermore, who was she speaking to? She probably thought it was one of the 16-year-old patrons there. Thanks for the compliment, but even at 16, I would not appreciate or deserve that response. She did not recommend another drink to appease the situation either. We just instantly asked for the bill, ate and left ‘D-Bar’.

Rotaractors Marvin and Patrice of the Rotaract Club of Kingston assist a child at their Homework Programme at the Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Centre on Saturday, January 17, 2015

Rotaract Club of Kingston’s Homework Programme

by Charities
Rotaractors Marvin and Patrice of the Rotaract Club of Kingston assist a child at their Homework Programme at the Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Centre on Saturday, January 17, 2015
Rotaractors Marvin and Patrice of the Rotaract Club of Kingston assist a child at their Homework Programme at the Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Centre on Saturday, January 17, 2015

A few years ago, the Rotaract Club of Kingston donated computers to the Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Centre in Waterhouse, Kingston. The Rotaract Club of Kingston continues to send members to assist children in the area at the Centre every Saturday with their homework and studies.

Visit the Rotaract Club of Kingston’s website,  www.rotaractkingston.org

Instagram: rotaractclubofkingston

Facebook page: Rotaract Club of Kingston

 

Café Fusion on Ruthven Road

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Two friends, Cameca Samuels and Leisha Patrick fused their dreams into a Café. They were a nominee for Jamaica Observer’s Mogul in the Making last year. Though not educated in the Culinary Arts, Leisha is the Chef with skills acquired from working at restaurants in the United States. Initially, Cameca, an Interior Decorator managed the marketing and maintenance of the business and ofcourse kept it looking cosy for customers.

Café Fusion has been open for a little bit over a year now on 12 Ruthven Road. It seems Cameca has become extremely busy with Interior Decorating, so Leisha is now managing the business for the most part. A bit evident in terms of the wall decor looking a bit lacklustre. But not to worry, a piece or two from GW Art will be there soon.

I visited last Saturday for a Sub Sandwich. Leisha seemed to be the only person working but she greeted me upon entry, seemed calm and was quite pleasant. There was a slow flow of customers, which she seemed to be handling well. I was made aware she has an assistant, so perhaps she was on a break.

The Café felt comfortable while I waited on my Turkey Sub, but I didn’t have time to eat there so ordered my Sub Sandwich to-go. I got it quickly. It did not look appealing and the Sub bread was flat, but it was tasty and quite filling.

The cost was $650JMD, less than most places for that size. So since the Sub was tasty and I was full afterwards, accompanied by great customer service, looks didn’t matter. I was quite satisfied and would return.