Randy Burgess (L) and wife, Gabrielle Burgess from Suga Lifestyle celebrating their 1 year anniversary
Sunday before last, I visited Smoked Marlin Restaurant in Hopewell, Hanover for lunch with my husband.
Apart from our traditional Sweet Potato Pudding stop in Priory, St. Ann, Smoked Marlin was our last stop after a relaxed, food-filled weekend in Negril before heading back to Kingston.
Our waitress was pleasant but could have been more attentive. The wait for food including the Appetizer of Fish soup was too long. The diners that ordered just after us complained as well.
The food was tasty but did not blow us away. Servings were sizeable and made up for the delay. We had a little space left for Dessert, but they did not have all the items listed on the menu including the Tropical Crêpe that I desired.
I thought it would be a more impressive visit, but it was still a delightful experience with a picturesque seaside view to up the ante.
My husband and I got to Negril late in the night after 11pm so we knew we could only get Pizza at that time. No Problem. I heard the Pizzas are authentic Italian, so I was still looking forward to it. Â The owner, Kenny married an Italian lady and after being a Chef working in the tourism industry for years in Jamaica, he took a few years to learn cooking Italian cuisine from his wife and others in Italy.
My husband and I had Pizza and Beer. We shared the Rasta Pasta ($15.50USD) that was served with crushed pepper and parmesan cheese. It was made fresh, tasty and flavourful.
Rasta Pizza ($15.50USD) – tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, onions, black olives and green peppers
Their menu has quite a variety of Pastas and Pizzas. There are also a few options for Appetizers, Salads, Seafood and Dessert. Prices are quoted in USD but still reasonable. Of course if you go with a high end dish such as Steak, Seafood or a Full House Pizza, it may be a bit pricey.
The Ladies’ bathroom could use some attention from the cleaning staff and Parking was limited given its location on the popular Norman Manley Boulevard ‘Negril strip’. If you sat close by the sidewalk, you were likely to be approached by locals selling CDs or other things, but they were not persistent if you showed no interest to purchase.
Ziggy’s Restaurant and Lounge in Manor Centre has been a consistently good spot to stop by and get authentic Jamaican Cuisine for quite some time now.
The service is good and it is usually a quick in and out. There is comfortable dining space and a bar if you have time to spare. They deliver as well.
Ziggy’s offers standard Jamaican Breakfast options such as Ackee & Saltfish, Stew Chicken, Liver, Salt Mackerel etc.
Standard Jamaican Lunch or Dinner options include Curry Goat, Stew Peas, Oxtail, Fried or Baked Chicken, Escovitch Fish and more.
The prices are decent for the large servings given and good quality of food they offer. Breakast items usually range from $500JMD to $600JMD. Lunch or Dinner options are usually $800JMD with the exception of Fish ($1000JMD) and Shrimp dishes ($1400JMD). Note that prices are tax inclusive.
The Daily menu is posted on their website (See information below), where you can order online and literally ‘cut di line’.
A few of my foodie friends have posted their Lunch at Ziggy’s and it was a refreshing reminder about what is just around the corner.
Last Saturday I was ravenous after a fun outing at the beach and I knew Ziggy’s would hit the spot. I stopped by at about 7pm and ordered the Baked Chicken with steamed vegetables only. No other healthy side orders such as boiled banana, yam or baked irish potatoes were available so late in the day.
I saw some Chinese dishes on the menu too but that wouldn’t fill the void. The Chinese are taking over Jamaica slowly but surely, but our food remains Number 1. I could see one of their regulars who I like to identify as ‘residents’ enjoying her dinner comfortably by the bar. She asked me what I ordered then she told me that they cook better than the ‘real Chinese’. What she said couldn’t be far from the truth based on the appetizing whiff I got that wafted up from the kitchen.
I did not have to wait more than 10 to 15 minutes. The Chef was extremely pleasant, saying he hoped he didn’t keep me too long and showed me what was in my box before he packaged it and sent me on my way.
When I got home I could see what the resident was talking about. The steamed vegetables were similar to what you would get at your local Chinese Restaurant. I am not a fan of Salads, but it was very tasty and not everyone can get that unique Chinese flavour. My well seasoned, tender Baked Chicken topped off by a savoury sauce was impressive too.
I am looking forward to trying that Chicken in Black Bean Sauce soon.
Since I was too greedy to stop and take a picture of my dish, here are pictures from Suga Bears.
Kudos to Chef Bent and the Staff of Ziggy’s for keeping the locals happy and catering to us with a smile.
Ziggy’s Restaurant & Lounge
Location: Shop 15. Manor Centre. 195 Constant Spring Road. Kingston 8.Â
Ph: 876-350-6411
Website: www.cutdiline.com/ziggys
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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I stumbled upon Jen’s Kitchen on Instagram a few months ago when I saw a Curry Goat and roti dish. I have been following @jenskitchenja ever since and I admire that their Instagram page is kept active.
Jen’s Kitchen is located at the intersection of Constant Spring and Manning’s Hill Road.
My husband and a friend went there on separate occasions. They had the Curry Goat with roti and Chicken. Their feedback was that the food was decent but mediocre in quality, small in serving size and definitely not worth the price.
Jen’s Kitchen’s pictures on Instagram were still quite inviting to me, so I finally went there at about 7pm on my way home last night. The lack of sufficient parking space was a problem. I was going to just have everything as take-out because I knew I would have to move my car soon.
The Restaurant is a simple set up with a Bar on the side. Nothing extravagant. Your view is basically the Road and The Total Gas Station across from it.
At the looks of it, their Bar had a set of loyal patrons and they had two gentlemen dining that seemed to be visiting Jamaica based on their American accents. They probably wanted some home cooked Jamaican food too.
I perused the expensive Menu and had an interest in the Fish, Stew Peas, Saltfish and Plantain.
I was told a couple orders were in so my order would take 20 minutes or longer. The Stew Peas had finished so I asked about the Fish. Based on the lady’s expression when I asked about the waiting time for the Steamed Fish, I figured that it may take probably half an hour to 45 minutes. Fish is Done to Order how you like it. However, I think $2000JMD was too much for a Steamed Fish and I did not have the time to wait too long. I tried the Fish Fillet for $700JMD instead and still went ahead with the Pick-up Saltfish and Plantain.
As expected, I was called to move my car. I decided to stay and eat afterwards since I got a more comfortable spot, though still blocking in a few persons.
I met Ms. Jen who definitely showed she was in charge. She was professional and accommodating. The lady who took my order and served me was personable as well. I felt comfortable and could see why the patrons at the Bar looked like they were at their home away from home.
The Fish Fillet ($700JMD) was fried in a batter, but I tasted too much flour. I let them put that in a box to go.
The Pick up Saltfish and Plantain ($800JMD) was tasty but I have had better for much less. For instance at JoJo’s Jerk Pit and More, where they spice it up with more pepper and have less tomatoes. The Pressed Plantain was an appetizing side. I appreciated that it was not greasy at all.
Other items on their Menu are part of Standard Jamaican cuisine and more. Costs that include G.C.T range from $550JMD to $2000JMD. To give you an idea, they include Stew Beef ($750JMD), Curry Goat ($900JMD), Tripe & Bean ($750JMD), Oxtail ($1400JMD), Curry Chicken (Small- $600JMD; Large- $800JMD), 1/4lb Jerk Pork ($550JMD), Curry Conch ($1800JMD), Curry Shrimp ($1800JMD), Crab Back ($1500JMD) etc.
They have Side Orders of Roti, Sweet Potato Fries, Cream Potato, Wedges and more for additional costs.
I would return, but I agree with my husband and friend. For the serving size, quality of food and general comparison to many other establishments, the food is decent but overpriced.
Jen’s Kitchen
Location: 1A Mannings Hill Road. Kingston 8. Jamaica
Sunday before last, Suga got out of cooking and took her husband to the Tulips Restaurant at Eden Gardens for Sunday dinner.
It had a quiet, comfortable atmosphere and televisions for entertainment.
Our waiter was extremely courteous and took our order at 7:40pm. He wanted to get our order in before a big group upstairs at the Black Orchid Restautant, which seems to share the same kitchen. We were the only diners at Tulips so that is worrying if they have more diners or a full house.
The Black Orchid Restaurant upstairs is fine dining with white glove service so even more pricey, while Tulips is casual dining with mainly Jamaican cuisine.
We had ordered the Oxtail & Beans with a side of baked potato and steamed vegetables and had a standard 20-minute wait.
Oxtail & Beans ($2429JMD incl. tx)
The Oxtail & Beans was expensive but we were given quite a healthy serving. It had too much oil in the gravy but it was still tasty and flavourful.
Sweet Potato Pudding
The Sweet Potato Pudding for dessert was delish.
For such a simple Restaurant I think they are too pricey.
They are open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. So if you are not watching the pocket too much and in the mood for some tasty, home cooking and would like to eat out in a low key atmosphere, give Tulips Restaurant at Eden Gardens a try.
Tulips Restaurant
Location: Eden Gardens Wellness Resort & Spa @ 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston
Ph: 876-946-9977
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Olive Garden has a new Mediterranean Menu and their Shrimp Scampi sure looks good. It seems as of they are still buzzing with tasty Italian cuisine and more.
Chinese Roasted Chicken Lunch + sides and veggies – $400JMD
Directly across from Dunrobin Plaza, you can get a tasty and healthy Lunch for just $400JMD at Gym’s Kitchen.
They offer a range of options including Whole Wheat Pasta that is hard to find at Restaurants, Broccoli, Kale, Lentils and Beans, Baked and Grilled Chicken, an abundance of Sweet Potato and more.
Quick service and properly portioned lunches. #Sugaendorsed
Check them out! They are on Facebook as @GymsKitchenja and on Instagram as @gymskitchen_ja. They deliver too.
Gym’s Kitchen
Location: 35 Dunrobin Ave. Kingston 10
Ph: 876-882-0932; 876-319-3587
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 6am-10pm
Delivery Hours: 10:30am-3pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Suga Bears visited the Simma Soupery & Bakery last Saturday afternoon and had an average experience.
Simma Soupery & Bakery is a take-out only Restaurant and my Suga Bears found their service quite efficient when they were having lunch on the go.
They ordered Sandwiches and Soup. They enjoyed the tasty Chicken with pumpkin and vegetable Soup but found the Sandwiches (Pimento Beef Sandwich -$650JMD; Coconut Chicken Sandwich) to be lacking condiments, especially for their price. So they did not think they got value for money but it was a convenient stop to get food quickly.
Pimento Beef Sandwich ($650JMD incl. tx) – Photo Credit: Randy BurgessPhoto Credit: Randy Burgess
Simma Soupery & Bakery
Location: 157 Old Hope Road, Welcome Plaza. Shop #1. Liguanea
Ph: 876-649-7246
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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