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Beware of Gustazo Lunch time Specials offered by Toss & Roll and ChezMax Catering

It has been a while, but I am still upset about the poor service from ChezMax Catering and Toss & Roll Salad Bar over a Gustazo they offered towards the end of last year.

ChezMax Catering

ChezMax offered $1299JMD for 2 Wraps (Wheat, Spinach, Tomato, Basil etc.) OR Caesar salads with your choice of meat + 2 Strawberry, Mocha or Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothies, Coconut Water or Sorrel with Ginger + 1 Banana Bread that expired December 2, 2016.

My experiences with both establishments were similar, besides the fact that communication with ChezMax was over the phone and that with Toss & Roll was face to face.

My coworker and I love to have something different on Fridays, so I called ChezMax two Fridays before the expiration date and was told they had no ingredients for the Smoothies. I was really looking forward to the Smoothies so I was assured that they should have some the following week. When I called back the following Friday I was told that they still could not offer any of the Smoothies because everything had finished with the large amount of Gustazos being used and it’s almost the final week.

I explained that whether or not it is the final week or day, they should be prepared for the demand, as persons have already spent their money expecting to get a choice from ALL of what was offered.

I already had plans for lunch the following Friday and with the staff’s nonchalant response on the phone and her still being adamant that it was because of the Gustazos, I was not going to wait another week where even less may have been available. I also told her not to argue with the Customer because the Customer is always right, especially since they are in the Customer Service business. I like value for my money so what they did could have been interpreted as false advertising, because as far as I know, persons buy Gustazos based on the guaranteed value of what they are getting at discounted rates.

They delivered the lunch on time for a $200JMD additional charge. I had the Spinach Wrap with Jerked Chicken, Coconut Water and Banana Bread. The Banana Bread was tasty but the Wrap had enough vegetables to feed a rabbit and the Chicken didn’t have a memorable taste so I wasn’t impressed and will never order from them again.

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Spinach Wrap with Jerked Chicken from ChezMax Catering

Toss & Roll Salad Bar

Toss & Roll offered $1399JMD for 2 Main Dishes with a choice of 12″ Wheat or Spinach Wrap with your choice of Meat (Grilled or Jerked Chicken); Sweet and Sour Grilled Chicken; Sweet Chili Chicken served with vegetables or pumpkin rice and toss salad + 2 Natural Juices or Cranwatas + 1 Granola Bar that expired on December 21, 2016.

Over the holidays I was busier than expected, but on one particular day I needed a Wrap that was convenient to eat while I had to drive and run errands. I remembered my Toss & Roll Gustazo expired that day so I went there about 3pm. No Wraps, Cranwatas or Granola Bars were available, all of which I wanted. I was not amused and more upset since this was the 2nd issue within 1 month involving not getting my value for money with a Gustazo and food. Not to mention, I was also very hungry. Take note that some persons may even forget they bought a Gustazo for food because they try to save it for the right moment so it almost feels like a free meal of your choice. When that illusion of a free meal is not granted after being so excited that the day has come to get it, no matter how cheap it is, if it isn’t available, people can become not only upset but disappointed. Gustazos are used to help market what places have to offer so they leave a bad impression when they have poor service and do not deliver what persons bought.

At Toss & Roll I was told I could only get the Chicken dishes and Natural juices. Perhaps they thought since food was still available then that was a sufficient substitute. It was not because that was not what I had in mind, even when I bought the Gustazo.

The cashier had quite a sour face and attitude. She did not check into a resolution since they owe me a granola bar and I could hear her complaining to the Chef. At least the Sweet Chili Chicken was spicy and flavourful and the Juneplum Juice was refreshing and not too sweet, but half of the rice and veggies were left on my car seat and floor mat dodging a pothole. So as simple as it may have seemed, the substitute dish was an inconvenience.

Both experiences were reported to Gustazos but no follow up with me was made. I am hoping that establishments in the future only offer what they can handle and Gustazos finds a way to ensure that is so.

● ChezMax Catering

Location: 2 College Green Avenue

Ph.: 876-585-5996; 876-977-3090

● Toss & Roll Salad Bar

Location: 75 Hope Road. Kingston 6.

Ph.: 876-879-3310; 876-539-6886

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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#tbt to my Lunch from C&C South Beach!

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My Stew Peas lunch for only $650JMD from C&C South Beach last Friday was divine! Get yours tomorrow. If you are not having it there you can call early and order for pick up. Mine was ready and waiting for me when I got there. Good service.

Kudos to South Beach. See you soon!

C&C South Beach Restaurant, Bar & Event Venue

Location: 2 Brompton Road. Kingston 5

Ph: 876-919-3700

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Suga started the New Year with Dinner at Tamarind Continental

Tamarind Continental was one of the few places open on New Year’s Day for a late dinner so I was thankful.

Tamarind Continental, Saffron and Tamarind Indian all fall under the same umbrella, however Tamarind Continental’s menu offers cuisines other than Indian as its name suggests.

Their menu consisted of Soups, Salads and Appetizers in the range of $695 to $1395JMD. The Appetizers looked interesting with items such as Stuffed Mushrooms, Grilled Chicken with Olives, Fish strips, Shrimp bites, Zucchini fries with Onion rings and more.

Their main menu had a range of Pastas (Make your own), Burgers, Pizzas and a variety of Chicken, Salmon, Lamb, Shrimp, Fish and Pork dishes. Mushroom dishes were available for Vegetarians too. Prices were from $1100 to $2495JMD.

I peaked over at 2 tables nearby and the Pizzas didn’t look so enticing so I skipped over that part of their menu.

My husband and I started off with the Mushroom Cappuccino ($695JMD) and Shrimp Bisque ($795JMD) Soups. We thought the wait somewhere between 20 minutes and half hour was too long.

We were happy when they came though. Big servings and the Soups were freshly made and flavourful.

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Shrimp Bisque (above); Mushroom Cappuccino (below)

I wanted something simple for dinner and since I avoided fries during the holidays I enjoyed their Lamb Burger with fries ($1500JMD) even though the whole wheat bun was not available that night. It was not a big burger but I was satisfied since I had their huge Soup before it.

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Lamb Burger ($1500JMD)

My husband enjoyed his dinner as well. He had the Chargrill Sage Garlic Chicken Breast served with mashed potatoes and vegetables ($1500JMD). It tasted just as delicious as it looked.

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Chargrill Sage Garlic Chicken Breast ($1500JMD)

Service throughout the night was good, not great, but I liked the quality of the food and prices were manageable, so I will return. The use of Indian Herbs and Spices in European cuisine gives the food a unique, flavourful taste. My husband already returned for lunch!

Tamarind Continental European Fusion

Location: Shop 14, Orchid Plaza. 18-22 Barbican Road. Kingston

Ph: 876-620-5301; 876-620-5336

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Cheers to Oak Wine Bar this Friday!

Suga is still enjoying Oak Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge!

I visited Oak about 2 weeks ago for GNO over the holidays. It’s a small bar but it was a Wednesday night so it wasn’t packed. Service continues to be quick and efficient, enjoyed the selection of music that was played on the low and most of all, I enjoyed my Charcuterie board with a few glasses of Vino.

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Charcuterie Board ($2000JMD)

Their Charcuterie board is everything! It’s a spectacular, delicious pairing with wine including cured meats, Danish Blue Cheese that I love, Smoked Gouda, Olives, Pepper jelly and more!

Head over to Oak with family, for a date or GNO and share some bottles of wine or cocktails with delicious bites.

Oak Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge
Unit #5, 8 Hillcrest Avenue. 
Kingston 6, Jamaica

Email: [email protected]

OPENING HOURS:

Tuesdays – Thursdays: 4pm-12am

Fridays & Saturdays: 4pm-2am

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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#tbt to when Suga found a Green Juice she liked!

SIP’n’GO Juice Bar was at The Hub Coworking’s Christmas Pop Up Shop last December and I was encouraged to try their Green Natural Juice even though Green Juices and Smoothies are definitely not something I enjoy. I prefer Protein shakes with a little fat-free dairy and more flavour.

However, I was pleasantly surprised when I tried SIP’n’Go’s Natural Green Juice ($300JMD on that day) called the Refresher with Callaloo, Spinach and Cucumber. It had a tangy kick to it that I could appreciate, which came from the addition of Orange juice and a touch of Ginger.

SIP’n’GO Juice Bar has Smoothies, Shakes and more that I know some of my Suga Bears have been enjoying. So go and check them out. They deliver too!

SIP’n’GO Juice Bar

Location: Shop #15 Clark’s Plaza, 98 Molynes Road (Hughenden Ave.)

Ph: 876-852-5412

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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#fbf to Suga’s Christmas Cake from Sweet Obsession!

No Christmas Fruit Cake comes close to my Mother’s or Aunty Mads’. With that said, I can be very critical about them. So I pondered for days what I was going to do to keep the tradition alive, especially since I was staying in Jamaica all season. I felt like I needed not 1 but 2 cakes!

I stumbled across a friend’s Instagram page, Sweet Obsession where it looked good and the price was right.

● 1 1/2lbs – $1500JMD

● 2lbs – $2400JMD

● 3lbs – $3500JMD

Of course I had to do a tasting first, explaining that I don’t like it too fruity but I like it with lots of rum.

The quality of the tasting was alright. It had my rum content but the texture needed to be a bit softer. So I passed that information along and made my order with the assurance that adjustments would be made.

I was happy that my order came extremely close to my high standard. Friends and Family enjoyed it as well. It was certainly a treat for all of 700+ calories per slice. That’s right folks, Suga recommends you lose 5 to 10 pounds before each Christmas to fully endulge guilt-free!

Looking forward to another season with Sweet Obsession!

Sweet Obsession

Ph: 876-859-4015; 876-383-9532

Instagram: sweetobsessionja

Facebook: [email protected]

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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#tbt to Café Blue’s Sweet Christmas Treats!

Instagram Photo: @cafeblueja

Café Blue’s Chocolate Covered Coffee Beans were delightful! They also made great stocking stuffers.

I also cannot forget to mention my annual craving of their Chairman’s Egg Nog. I endulged and enjoyed my spiked one as usual. You have until this Friday, January 6th to enjoy it as well as the White Chocolate Latte!

Chairman’s Egg Nog

Enjoy at Sovereign Mall, Irish Town or NMIA in Kingston or Shoppes at Rose Hall or Fontana in Montego Bay!

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Chilitos has Moved to a Bigger Location

Suga visited Chilitos’ expanded Restaurant at 88 Hope Road across from Coldwell Bankers last Saturday on New Year’s Eve at about 5pm. It’s just up the road from where they used to be with a much bigger space and more comfortable seating. They still have that vintage-rustic Mexican décor with a modern twist. I love those new light bulb fixtures that have been going up at the new joints around Kingston.

The menu is pretty much the same and the quality of the food is still good with mediocre service. Pleasant staff but I thought 25 minutes was too long a wait for a Mini Nacho Supreme ($600JMD incl. tx), Gorditas (2 Chicken & 1 Beef for $1050JMD incl. tx) and a Burrito ($1000JMD incl. tx). The Mini Nacho Supreme should have come out quickly or we should have been asked if we would have liked that before the main. The Restaurant was not full either.

My husband and I have been pretty much ordering the same thing from them for years and I remember getting served within 5 to 10 minutes. Our food was made right infront of our eyes. I still prefer that method. I suppose as years went by with expansion and more customers they saw a need for a change, which I don’t mind but more speed in service is required. The waiters assigned to each table also need to be attentive in reassuring us the food will soon be ready and also asking if we would like anything else or if everything is ok.

Mini Nacho Supreme ($600JMD incl. tx)

 

They have their usual Taco Tuesdays as well as Margarita Mondays and Burrito Fridays with various specials.

So go check out Chilitos at their new home on Hope Road. Lovely setting for going out on a date or for outings with friends and family. If the wait is a little long have some $300 beers while you do.

Chilitos JaMexican

Location: 88 Hope Road. Kingston 6

Ph: 876.978.0536

Opening Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Haven’t stocked up on Liquor yet? Check out Jamaica Liquor Warehouse!

Jamaica Liquor Warehouse at Lindsay Crescent is the place to go!

They opened a few weeks ago and have affordable liquor for you in all sizes. Yes Johnny Walker Black is sold by the cue there too!

They have a Bar and a Deli that you can walk over to. Suga went last week Saturday and ordered food, browsed in the liquor store then ate.

The staff were very cordial. Food came out in an adequate time. I was salivating at their Chicken and Waffles from one of their Instagram posts, a Warehouse favourite. Apparently it had shrimp too. The spicy maple syrup was everything.

Golden brown Waffles and Crispy Chicken Tenders and Shrimp ($1850)

My husband had the Warehouse Burger that was cooked to order, medium. Well done Chef.

The Warehouse Burger served on an over easy egg ($1400)

Comfortable seating, decent, modern décor and pleasant staff in both the Warehouse and the Deli who gave good service.

They do Breakfast too but may need to be open earlier for those on their way to work.

Suga will be back for sure.

Jamaica Liquor Warehouse, Deli & Bar

Location: 17 Lindsay Crescent, Kingston

Ph: 876-614-7011

Opening hours for Warehouse: Fridays & Saturdays: 10am to 11pm; Mondays to Thursdays 11am-10pm.

Opening hours for Deli: Fridays-Saturdays: 8am-11pm; Mondays-Thursdays: 8am-10pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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