Anna-Kay Tomlinson, is known as Miss T and for her famous Oxtail from her restaurant in Ocho Rios.
It is really an oasis in the jungle of ‘Ochi’ town with quite a rough road to get there. But once you reach, you will know your adventure on the unknown path was worth it.
Miss T’s Kitchen was visited a couple weeks ago by my other half at about 2:30 in the afternoon for lunch during the week. He found his waiter, Glenroy quite welcoming, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. The environment was nice and the food came out in reasonable time.
Was it Oxtail? No. Sadly there was no Oxtail available at the time. He ordered Chickpea and Tomato soup and Curried Goat. The Curried Goat was apparently fantastic. He said it was the best ‘Curry Goat’ he has had for a while. So don’t just go there for Oxtail! He had natural Juneplum and Pineapple juice with his meal and appreciated the freshly made, delicious food and good service.
The bill was $1650JMD including a 10% service charge. Definitely value for money. Big up Miss T’s for keeping our Jamaican cuisine alive in tourist town!
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.
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.
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!
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:
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:
The Tasty Category for $1850JMD (Includes choice of Appetizer, Main course and Dessert. Beverages, G.C.T and Gratuity additional) during Restaurant Week has so many choices to choose from, but where should you really choose for the best deal?
Consider the menu quality and uniqueness, reputation of service and an ambience would be a plus.
Did you see my review from my Pre-Restaurant week tasting at Lucky Strike Lounge? It’s a winner.
East Japanese looks like the place of choice for Asian cuisine, offering value for money.
Portmore massive, the Milk Shake from Buzzers looks divine!
The UTECH students from Lillian’s Restaurant seemed to put a lot of effort into their menu as usual, offering unique dishes at a low cost. Their Seared Trout and Vegetable Lasagne including Eggplant and more look like they won’t disappoint.
Pizza Hut (Kgn and MoBay) is always loaded with goodness on their menu for RW with various Pastas and more. The spot should be great for a family outing and their Over-the-Top Cheesecake looks delish.
Sea Deck is always a pleasure. Even though their Crab back usually takes long, it is worth the wait. Other than that, you should be able to look forward to quick service, delicious, large servings and a lovely ambience for more than a reasonable price.
What else is going on outside of Kingston?
The Cardiff Hotel and Spa in Runaway Bay impressed me from the RW Launch, offering some of the items from their menu. Their Jerked Chicken Fettuccine had a good flavour with a touch of spicy and their Sweet Potato Pudding had an authentic Jamaican taste. Their Oxtail Mac and Cheese sounds salivating!
I have not dined at Chill Out Hut Beach Bar and Grill in Long Bay, St. James yet, but I would definitely give them a try. Their 1lb Whole Steamed Fish looks juicy!
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:
Lucky Strike Lounge
Location: 195 C Constant Spring Road (Manor Centre), Kingston 8
Ph: 876-631-9980, 876-631-9797
East Japanese
Location: Market Place at 67 Constant Spring Rd. Kingston, Jamaica
Ph: 960-3962 or 960-3594
Endzzone at Buzzers
Location: 63A Congrieve Park, Naggo Head, Portmore, Kingston
Ph: 876-939-2553
Lillian’s Restaurant
Location: University of Technology, Jamaica, 237 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6
Ph: 876-970-2224
Pizza Hut Dine-In (Kgn and MoBay)
Locations: 57 Knutsford Blvd. New Kingston. Kgn. 5/Â Lot 9 Howard Cooke Boulevard. Montego Bay
Ph: 876-920-8656/ 876-920-8657, 876-971-5380
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
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.
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.
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!
***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
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.
The service is alright, you can be in and out within 10 minutes and there is quite a variety to choose from for affordable prices. A Large lunch with 1 Meat, rice and veggies costs $500JMD and a drink costs $120JMD. The menu does not comprise solely of Chinese dishes, there are Jamaican dishes as well. For instance, Cowfoot was served last Wednesday.
Sakura hits the spot for reasonable food when hungry. Nothing fancy and no burst of flavour, but it tastes like what it is supposed to be.
Last Saturday, I needed a quick, light bite that was somewhat healthy because of the Sunday binge ahead at the Restaurant Week launch (Review coming soon folks!).
I quickly realised I was due a visit to Fromage Gourmet Market and made my way there a few minutes before 3pm.
I received the usual pleasant greeting and good service. I already knew I wanted a Panini, so ordered instantly, choosing the Turkey Panini Bijou over the Smoked Marlin Panini. I was happy to hear I had the option of having my Panini with wheat bread. Fantastic!
I had to wait 5 minutes more than I would have liked to though, because I do not think a Panini should take more than 15 minutes, but it arrived hot and was quite flavourful with the blue cheese.
The mason jars for drinking water or juice and flesh flowers on the table added a refreshing touch.
My Panini was also quite affordable and filling, costing $900JMD +tx. Thanks to Pop Up Gourmet Jamaica, I could use my Advantage card there for my 10% discount, so my bill did not go over a $1000JMD.
I am delighted that Fromage has maintained a high standard of service and food quality and also revise their menu so patrons never get bored there.