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TGIF to these Lamb Chops from Steak House on the Verandah!

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Lamb Chops in Mint Gastrique from Steak House on the Verandah

Salivating Lamb Chops in Mint Gastrique from Steak House on the Verandah!

What’s Gastrique? A sweet-and-sour sauce, where sugar or sometimes honey is caramelized and combined with the same portion of vinegar, ultimately making a slightly thickened syrup after it’s reduced.

Go get those Lamb chops and have a great weekend!

Steak House on the Verandah

***Reservations Recommended***

Location: Devon House

Ph: 876-616-8833

Facebook: @steakhouseja

Instagram: @thesteakhouseja

Opening Hours:

Mon. to Thurs. @ 12 noon – 9:30 pm

Fri. & Sat. @ 12 noon – 10:30 pm

***Closed on Sundays*** 

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Lunch from Chef Dave Paul!

I regretfully admit that I have had Chef Dave Paul’s contact information and Lunch menu from last summer and just decided to use it yesterday. Why? It’s so hard for me to decide what to eat, much less from the day before. I am also still working or just settling in by the time the order is to go in.

Last year, Lunch orders had to be in by 10pm the night before and currently, the deadline is even earlier. Orders need to go in to Chef by 8pm the night before. I am sure this is how he keeps his system structured, so it’s either you make it work for you or you don’t.

A set menu is used daily, which is updated from time to time. Customized lunch orders are welcomed. Customers have options of Seafood, Chicken, Pastas, Wraps, Salads and Vegetarian meals.

It is stated that Punctual delivery is not guaranteed. So even though I requested an 11:30am delivery, I stated that it could not be later than 12 noon. My lunch arrived at 12 noon.

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Presentation and branding were impressive. Communication was also effective.

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Chef Dave Paul’s Oven Roasted Chicken with Jerk BBQ sauce, a side of Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Mash and side Salad – $900JMD inclusive of Delivery in Kingston

I asked for light Jerk BBQ sauce and got just that. It gave the tender and well-seasoned Chicken a zesty flavour. The Sweet Potato and Pumpkin Mash was satisfactory. Sometimes healthy is boring and I took one of the healthier side options, so didn’t expect much from it as a side. The raw vegetables in the side Salad were fresh and I loved the added crunch and sweetness from a few cuts of gimbilyn (a.k.a carambola/star fruit) and raisins.

To top things off, lunch came with a moist towelette. I am guessing that Chef Paul knows that his Chicken was saucy and finger-licking good.

#SugaEndorsed

Chef Dave Paul 

Pre-Order Gourmet Lunch

***Orders must be placed the night before by 8pm***

Instagram: @chefdavepaul

Ph/Whats app: 876-433-5904

Email: [email protected]

 Delivery Hours & Costs:

Mon-Fri, 11:30am – 2:30pm

*Exact Delivery Time Not Guaranteed*     Kingston ($100JMD); Downtown ($150JMD); Portmore ($400JMD for 2 or more Meals)

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

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The New Cafe Dolce!

Suga’s Ratings for Cafe Dolce!

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: Modern, new, cosy spot with seating upstairs and downstairs complemented by free Wifi. Tasty Breakfast and Lunch options. Some Breakfast Options are overpriced, but I am happy there were healthy options available for both Breakfast and Lunch. I was disappointed by the fact that I couldn’t get a simple Frappuccino. They had Frozays a.k.a syrup and ice cream. My wait was a quick 8 minutes for Lunch and the standard 15 minutes for Breakfast when they had a full house. Members of Staff were pleasant.

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The upstairs Lounge/Dining area at Cafe Dolce

When did Cafe Dolce Open?

Mid-December last year.

Who owns it?

Restauranteurs Lisa-Gaye and Kirk Chin, owners of Fromage Gourmet Market & Bistro, Fromage Brasserie and the Oak Wine Bar.

What did I have?

Lunch:

I had the Bruschetta Chicken Panini ($900JMD +tx) with Wheat bread, Chicken, Basil Pesto, Mozzarella, Tomato and Balsamic aioli. It was fresh, filling and flavorful.

I also had a Parfait ($500JMD+tx) that included healthy, plain Greek Yoghurt.

Breakfast:

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I had the Smoked Salmon Bagel ($850JMD+tx) with lettuce, tomato, onion and cream cheese, Buttermilk Pancakes with Bacon ($600JMD+tx) and a Hazelnut Iced Coffee ($450JMD+tx).

I was disappointed that I didn’t get any capers with my Smoked Salmon Bagel, but I was satisfied since it was made fresh and it was tasty. I also enjoyed my Pancakes with Bacon.

What do they serve?

● Coffee, Tea, Smoothies, Shakes and other Beverages

● Breakfast, Salads, Soup, Sandwiches, Wraps, Paninis, Parfaits, Pastries, Snacks, and Dessert made fresh daily

After a horrible review from a Suga Bear late December last year, I gave Cafe Dolce some time and visited last Saturday and Sunday for Lunch and Breakfast respectively.

I was quite relieved I did not have her experience of an hour-long wait and poorly cooked food with a poor presentation. It was the total opposite for me. I am pleased to see that they seemed to have worked out their teething pains. If anyone had a distasteful experience there, I encourage you to revisit Cafe Dolce and I look forward to going back soon!

Cafe Dolce

Location: 114 Constant Spring Road (Inside of Tile City). Kingston 10.

Ph: 876-649-9971

Opening Hours:

Mon-Thurs, 7am-7pm

Fri-Sat, 7am-8pm

Sun, 7am-5pm

Instagram: @cafedolceja

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Healthy Lunch from Gym’s Kitchen

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Grilled Chicken Breast with Steamed Callaloo and Boiled Sweet Potato ($550JMD)

Remember Suga Bears that directly across from Dunrobin Plaza, you can get a tasty and healthy Lunch from Gym’s Kitchen. It actually has a gym beside it!

They offer a range of options with a different menu according to a theme each day. For those that don’t eat Chicken, there is usually an option for Salmon and sometimes there may be Ackee dishes on the menu.

I took a few bites from my Lunch before I thought that I should snap it and share, but they do properly portioned Lunches. I have been ordering from them for some time now and I love that I can consistently get a healthy, tasty, reasonable Lunch from them. #SugaEndorsed

Check them out! They deliver too. However, ensure that you give them an earlier time than desired.

No excuses for January on your road to health and fitness!

Gym’s Kitchen

Location: 35 Dunrobin Ave. Kingston 10

Ph: 876-882-0932 (Digi – Call); 876-541-1776 (Flow- Whats app)

Delivery Hours: 10:30am-3pm

Facebook: @GymsKitchenja

Instagram: @gymskitchen_ja

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Certified Personal Trainer & Sports Nutritionist)

If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Last Day for Chairman’s Egg Nog at Cafe Blue!

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My friend and I weren’t amused when we went to Cafe Blue in Sovereign Mall over the holidays specifically for Egg Nog and they didn’t have it.

Maybe I will give them another chance today, although the season is over and my annual Egg Nog partner is back in Florida.

Last Day to get it folks! Have a great Weekend!

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

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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New Lunch Spot with Jamaican Cuisine!

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Suga’s Ratings for The Pallet!

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★☆

Ambience: ★★★☆☆

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★☆☆

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★★

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: Great Service in a cosy setting. Authentic Jamaican cuisine with portions to leave you satisfied and not overfed. Attentive, courteous staff that leave you wanting to return.

The Pallet, owned by Chef Shea Stewart has been tempting me with salivating Jamaican dishes on their Instagram page for some time now.

The Pallet started Lunch Orders last September 29th and I finally got to visit them while I was on vacation from work. My husband and I visited last Friday at about 2pm.

The Décor is modern-rustic, clearly influenced by their name, as most of their furniture is made of pallets. There were covered areas for seating but seating was predominantly outdoors. I hope it is in their plans to put umbrellas by the tables in the direct sun.

Lounge areas seem to also be available for rental. They can be seen upon entering the venue.

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We were greeted by their jovial and welcoming Host and Entertainment Coordinator, Keon. We then grabbed a table in the shade with the Bar in view and it was actually quite cool. The staff was attentive, our waitress was pleasant and service was quick.

We had to swat a fly or two but we still enjoyed our Lunch. Their BBQ Chicken had an authentic, smoky flavour complemented by a flavourful sauce that was not overwhelming. The Mac & Cheese to accompany it was delicious, while my healthier side option of Roasted Garlic Potatoes was tasty as well.

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BBQ Chicken with Roasted Garlic Potatoes and Sautéed Market Vegetables ($750JMD + $200JMD)
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BBQ Chicken with Mac & Cheese and Sautéed Market Vegetables ($750JMD + $300JMD)

The Pallet’s Lunch options usually include Soup ($350-$450JMD), Pork, Chicken and Fish Dishes cooked Jamaican style for prices up to $900JMD. Mac & Cheese may be a side option for $300JMD, Rice and Peas, as well as the healthier, Sweet or Roasted Garlic Potatoes for $200JMD and Sautéed Market Vegetables.

The Pallet delivers Lunches for $300JMD, but delivers to Businesses and Students for FREE with 5 or more orders.

They are still waiting on a card machine, but The Pallet is #SugaEndorsed. Give them a visit for your Lunch today!

The Pallet

Location: 5A North Avenue. Kingston (By Kings Plaza off of Constant Spring Road)

Ph: 876-576-0603

Opening Hours for Lunch: 11am – 3pm Mondays-Fridays

Instagram: @thepalletja

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Dinner Cost Error*** -Thanksgiving Lunch and Dinner Buffet at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus Tomorrow!

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***Price Correction: Lunch ($1700JMD); Dinner ($2500JMD)

With all the Showers of Blessing Jamaica has received in the past few months, perhaps we have a lot to be thankful for.

Quite a few places will be offering Thanksgiving Dinner, which is slowly becoming a part of our culture.

Suga recommends Thanksgiving at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus, where service, quality and variety are at a high standard for an affordable price. They will be offering Thanksgiving Lunch tomorrow at a cost $1700JMD per person and Thanksgiving Dinner at a cost of $2500JMD excluding tax and service charge.

The Carving station looks like it will be a hit! Check the menu out below. Reservations are recommended.

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Thanksgiving Dinner Menu at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus N.B. The Lunch Menu will have different Soups and will not have the Steamed Fish or Beef.

Enjoy!

The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus

***Reservations recommended***

Location: 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5

Ph: 876-926-3690 – 5

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Morning Bites and Nyam and Scram Picks for Restaurant week from Suga!

Restaurant Week (RW) has been up and running!

Remember that the Menus with Restaurant Locations and Contact numbers are online at:

http://go-jamaica.com/rw/

***Prices for the Nyam & Scram and Morning Bites Categories do not include Beverages and G.C.T***

Here are my recommendations for Breakfast and quick Grab & Go Bites:

Morning Bites – Kingston

> Cannonball Cafe is the only establishment listed this year although Breakfast can be sourced at a discounted price from Brew’d Awakenings as well.

Cannonball has decent Breakfast deals for less than $600JMD at all locations – Loshusan (Barbican), Manor Park, New Kingston and Sovereign North.

Nyam & Scram (30% off) – Kingston

100 at 100 Hope Road would be my primary choice for this Category. Nothing is new on their menu but they have tasty items that are well-known at a discounted price.

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100’s Jerk Chicken Cocowich

The Jerk Chicken Cocowich is consistently good and you get their signature Jackpot Dessert to go with it for $1670JMD!

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100’s signature Jackpot Dessert – Pretzel Crust Fudge and Vanilla Ice Cream

You could also get their delicious, cheesy Flatbread and Soup for $1169JMD or two other options for less than $2000JMD.

4U Vietnamese Restaurant in Manor Center should be a decent spot, but I would go during the week to avoid the crowd on the weekend.

I recommend their Sizzling Plate of Beef, with which you get Soup and Dessert for $1200JMD. Ask for the Chili Sauce if you want more spice!

Ali’s Jamaican Cuisine on Annette Crescent has some Spicy Curried dishes with Roti for less than $900JMD.

I love Kushites Vegetable Cuisine at Eden Gardens on Lady Musgrave Road, but I believe they are more for fine dining and are too pricey for the Nyam & Scram Category. The same goes for Fromage Brasserie in Marketplace.

Oasis on the Oxford on the other hand is too expensive for mediocre food and poor service.

Jo Jo’s Jerk Pit and More on Waterloo Road is a good food spot, but their service is slow on a regular basis. So imagine Restaurant Week! I tried them once for RW but would avoid doing so again in the future.

I went to Nirvanna Restaurant and Lounge last year for this category. The menu is similar so the dishes should be tasty and filling. You should get value for your money. They usually have good service with a full house, but to be on the safe side, I had called in my order ahead of arrival last year. It worked out well, so you could do that too if you have a tight lunch hour.

Brew’d Awakenings as mentioned earlier, is simple but has decent Breakfast bites and other choices such as a Salad or Panini for $800JMD.

Triple T’z Eatery on Annette Crescent has a good reputation amongst my Suga Bears, so I would give them a try where value for money is concerned. You can get two Meats and sides with Soup and Dessert for $1200-$1300JMD.

Enjoy and be sure to give Suga your Feedback!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this promo, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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New Restaurant in Kingston! Steak House on the Verandah at Devon House!

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The Launch of the New Restaurant at Devon House, Steak House on the Verandah owned by Marilyn Burrowes was held almost a month ago on Sunday, October 15th.

The Steak House resides at the exquisite location once held by late Culinary icon, Norma Shirley who owned Norma’s on the Terrace.

The Restaurant is managed by Michael Fulford and the man responsible in the kitchen is Chef Alex D-Great.

Premium local, Dry-Aged Steaks are their specialty and they offer other delectable delights and desserts accompanied by a substantial selection of wines.

I visited the Steak House for a Lunch date with my other half, Randy last Saturday at 2pm. We were greeted pleasantly by the staff and our waitress was Princess, who we were familiar with from another establishment.

She took us through the menu and after giving us a few minutes, she took our orders and was quite attentive throughout our stay.

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Challah Bread served to start off our Lunch!

Appetizers

Randy had the Jamdung Onion Soup, which was different from others out there. The cheese was on the bread instead of in the soup and the soup was more like a beef broth, richly flavoured with onion. For something that had a scotch bonnet label, it was not spicy though.

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Jamdung Onion Soup ($900JMD) РVery rich scotch bonnet beef stock, loaded onion and served with a Gruy̬re cheese corn bread.

There were other choices that I wasn’t interested in, such as Salads, Wings, Pumpkin Shrimp Bisque and Tempura Shrimp ranging from $900-$1200JMD. I knew they offered Bone Marrow, however Princess told us that was on their Dinner menu. She quickly offered to speak with the Chef and he agreed to fulfil my desired preference. Thank you Chef!

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Spicy Bone Marrow ($1150JMD)

That Spicy Bone Marrow was divine. It was so seductive, sweeting me up with the sauce, then hitting me up with a fiery, zesty flavour.

Entrees

Steak House on the Verandah sources their Steak locally from The Meat Experts Ltd. Meat Experts operates out of St. Ann and they have been making quite a name for themselves with their high quality, hormone-free meats.

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12oz Rare Dry-Aged Ribeye Steak ($5750JMD) with Black Truffle Butter, Béarnaise Sauce, Sautéed Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes (Photo credit: Craig Anthony Fleming)

I had my mind set on having the Ribeye Steak ($5750JMD), but they were all out.

We had the Filet Mignon and Dry-Aged New York Steak with our choice of two sides and a sauce. We both requested our Steaks to be cooked medium rare. Mine arrived overcooked, but I decided not to reorder. It was still tender in some areas. The Steaks were delish, especially with the Coffee Demi Glaze.

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Filet Mignon ($4100JMD) served with Coconut Callaloo, a Cheese Potato Croquette and Coffee
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Dry Aged New York Steak ($4900JMD) with Red Wine Reduction Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Saut̩ed Vegetables + ($150JMD РCaramelized onion)

If you are a Steak Eater, especially a lover of premium cuts, your bill may turn out to be quite high. A couple going for 3 Courses over two glasses of wine and sharing Dessert can rack up a $20,000JMD bill. However, there are more affordable options excluding the premium cuts. The menu also satisfies persons who aren’t Steak lovers with plates of Chargrilled Salmon ($4050JMD), Rosemary Herbed Chicken Breast ($2150JMD) and Fettucine Fungi Alfredo ($1250JMD) with the options to add Chicken ($600JMD) and Shrimp ($1000JMD).

Dessert

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Flourless Chocolate Cake with Strawberry Ice cream ($1200)

They did not have Vanilla Ice Cream. How come?! Not disappointing though, because I like Strawberry Ice cream. The Cake was warm and tasty.

Coffee/Tea ($350) was the other option for Dessert, but there was no need for a range of options. Persons can walk around afterwards and choose from many other shops to satisfy the sweet tooth while enjoying the historic grounds as well.

I enjoyed the succulent food served amidst the ambience and attentive service by the staff on my Lunch date at the new Steak House. I will return not only for the Ribeye, but to try their Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich for $1400JMD, which consists of Julienne Steak cuts, mushrooms, bell peppers and caramalized onion with a side of seasoned fries.

Great start Steak House on the Verandah! Keep it up. #SugaEndorsed

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Gabby a.k.a Suga from Suga Lifestyle and husband, Randy Burgess enjoying Lunch at Steak House on the Verandah last Saturday, November 4, 2017.

Steak House on the Verandah

***Reservations Recommended***

Location: Devon House

Ph: 876-616-8833

Facebook: @steakhouseja

Opening Hours:

Mon. to Thurs. @ 12noon – 9:30pm

Fri. & Sat. @ 12noon – 10:30pm

***Closed on Sundays*** 

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Lunch by the Dock

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Three Mondays ago on a sunny day in Florida, my husband and I went to lunch at Boatyard at 1:30pm.

I was instantly impressed by the courteous staff, who were well uniformed from head to toe. They looked comfortable but professional in their loafers and quite preppy in khaki pants and shorts, topped off by baby blue Polos to complete the look.

The restaurant had a spacious layout with tasteful décor. My husband, Randy was in disbelief that I chose to dine outside since it was a sunny day out, but I could not pass up dining dockside with a scenic view. He was pleasantly surprised by how cool it was out there and umbrellas provided shade by the table as well.

What is Boatyard Known for?

Boatyard is known to serve fresh catches from local fishermen and premium cuts of meat. They also boast about having the highest quality raw bar, which usually includes oysters, shrimp and ceviche.

Boatyard offers Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Cocktails and Wine. They are also called Bimini. Their Brunch, familiarly known as ‘Brunch at Bimini’ is quite popular.

You can enjoy unlimited Bloody Mary, Bellini and Mimosas for $25. In addition to that, you can hit the Omelet Station for $14USD or the Benedict Bar for $16USD. If you would like other options, you can order from the main menu that offers Bimini favourites such as Steamed Eggs, Buttermilk Waffles, Shrimp and Grits, Smoked Salmon, Bagel platters and more. So even though I love Tap 42, Suga will switch things up for Brunch at Bimini next time.

What Suga Wanted but Could not Have

I missed out on the Florida Paella that I was looking forward to. The original plan was to have dinner at Boatyard, but we had dinner at our family’s house instead. Realising that the Paella was not on the lunch menu, I expressed my disappointment to our lovely server, G.G. She did her best to check if they could still serve it, but it wasn’t possible because they didn’t prep for it yet. You can imagine the prep that goes into it too, because Paellas are usually stacked with Seafood. Their Paella has Shrimp, Clams, Mussels, Calamari, local Fish, Saffron rice and housemade Chorizo. I definitely will return for it!

G.G. came back to us with other options and really sold us on their Healthy Bowl for the day, which was a Salmon dish. Boatyard is another restaurant in Florida that keeps it fresh. They change items on their menu often, but usually keep the favourites.

Appetizer (Shareable)

We started off with the shareable Charred Octopus ($17USD). I loved that they managed to keep the meat tender and saturated with flavour. It was also value for money with the serving size given.

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Charred Octopus ($17USD) with wilted kale, garbanzo, fingerling and chorizo vinaigrette.

Entrees

I decided to have the Grilled Swordfish ($26USD) complemented by a tasty lemon flavoured sauce, along with fresh market greens. It was delish! It had a moist and very meaty texture as it should.

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Randy’s Healthy Bowl ($22USD) was quite delightful. Thanks for the recommendation G.G.! It consisted of Grilled Salmon topped off with a Cilantro lime sour cream drizzle, accompanied by Avocado, Mango and Black Bean Salsa, Sweet Corn Salsa and a Petit salad.

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Boatyard’s Healthy Bowl for the Day with Salmon ($22USD)

Suga’s Endorsement

Courteous staff, spacious Layout and tasteful Décor, impressive Menu Options, Quick Service and most importantly, Delicious, Flavourful Food a.k.a Value for Money. Boatyard is Suga Endorsed and I will return.

Boatyard

Location: 1555 SE 17th Street. Fort Lauderdale. FL 33316. USA

Ph: 954-525-7400

Website (Menu): www.boatyard.restaurant

Opening Hours: Mon. to Thurs.: 11:30am-11pm; Fri. & Sat. 11:30am-12am; Sun. 10am-10pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this article, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.