Stainless steel straw: Mira Botanicals. Get your travel pack!
Suga’s Ratings for The Blue Window Restaurant
Date and time of visit: April 30, 2020
No. of diners: 2
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
(If you hate the long walk from the parking lot, they have been stopping persons to find out where they are going. Once I said the restaurant, the chain was dropped and I got to park close by. #SugaSnaps)
Suga’s 4th Anniversary was 2 weeks ago (so now marked safe!) and she was itching to dine out. But first, how did Suga take the chance?!
I know that Government officials, diplomats and a large clientele of local and international corporations use the meeting and restaurant facilities of The Pegasus regularly. So they must have strict measures in place to keep everyone safe.
Believe it or not, I have a touch of OCD, so I also take my own precautionary measures that everyone should take. When you do take out or curbside pick up, you are already trusting persons in the kitchen to handle your food. We are already wearing masks, practicing social distancing when walking into or out of most places or even waiting somewhere. When we go home, I would hope that we leave our shoes at the door, discard our clothing in the laundry hamper and have a shower.
So what makes Dining out different if tables are set at or more than 6ft apart? The utensils, the table setting including a cloth napkin and the chair you are sitting in.
How does The Jamaica Pegasus Keep it Safe to Dine?
· All guests are asked to sanitize hands before entering the restaurant. [Personally, I go to the bathroom, wash my hands and then use a napkin to open the door to go out and dispose of it in the bin nearby at the atm machine.]
· Physical distancing is adhered to when seating (tables are spaced and limited number of diners accommodated)
· All menus are sanitized after each use. [#SugaSnaps]
· Cutlery are triple sanitized. Pre-soaked in bleach, washed in a machine that uses heat and chemical for sanitizing. Tables will be set when guests are seated.
· Tables and chairs are sanitized after each use.
· Frequent touch areas are sanitized multiple times throughout the service time.
Not so bad right? Also note, they are changing to disposable napkins this week!
The table was set before we were seated, but I expected that no one would have tampered with it or it may not have been set for too long before.
The service staff all wore masks the correct way and there were only 2 other persons dining at the time. They were wearing masks too. I actually felt comfortable. I didn’t touch the menu because I know their regular menu well enough and went for the special that day, which was posted at the entrance for you to see.
Guess what? We returned last week Friday too! They had a Salmon special! We knew what to expect so we were even more comfortable.
Both the Appetizer and the Main were delish. I appreciated that it was a healthy meal too! #SugaSnaps
Of course there is no picture of my husband and I, an ‘ussie’ wouldn’t do the trick and during love in the time of Corona, it is not advised to ask other persons, especially the waiter to handle your phone!
Let the food pics speak for themselves. (Of course my phone is sanitized – all the time)
We enjoyed 2 courses at Kingston’s best Hotel for just $2000JMD (taxes additional) with a complimentary glass of juice. It was a steal of a deal pulling us in. You will now see the listed price of the Lunch Special as $2500JMD, but it includes G.C.T and Service Charge, so definitely value for money, especially if they have added Steak to the menu for some days. Look out for what to expect on their Instagram page!
Taking the chance is up to you, but dining at The Blue Window during Love in the time of Corona is #SugaEndorsed.
XoXo,
Suga 💖
The Blue Window
Location: The Jamaica Pegasus at 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5
Ph: 876-926-3690
Instagram: @jamaicapegasus
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
#tbt to Buju’s 1st return to stage at the National Stadium in Jamaica last March 16, 2019 and the best photo I’ve seen that captured the moment!
This photo was printed on canvas and signed by Buju Banton himself, who also ordered a copy!
Who’s the man behind the lens with his height to his advantage?
Jamaican, Tennyson Arnold on one of his many trips around the world.
I have had the pleasure of living vicariously through the vivid images captured by Tennyson, who has taken his hobby, Photography and turned it into one of his careers.
Singapore at night by Tennyson a.k.a ten80p.
Those of us who know him also know his highlighted focus, his wife, who is a natural beauty.
Ashleigh Arnold, photographed by ten80p.
Check out more Photography by Tennyson and see life and the world through his lens. Keep his contact for bookings in the future too!
Photography by TennysonÂ
Lifestyle Photographer
Instagram: @ten80p_photography
By: Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Sannicia Coward, President of Rotaract Club of St. Andrew, Community Service Director, Vannessa Lyons of Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains and Tamara McPherson, President of Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains made a donation to Tarrant High School last Friday, April 3, 2020.
Last Friday, The Rotaract Clubs of St. Andrew and Liguanea Plains stopped at nothing in order to hand over their donation of sanitary napkins and new undies to Tarrant High School. The Holborn Spartans also made a generous contribution to assist with their donation. The students will receive these items upon their return to school.
Period Poverty still affects Jamaicans. Help the Her Flow Foundation to get menstrual products to those who need it in this time.
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Move! on the Mountain with Health & Fitness ambassador, Kamila McDonald at Skyline Levels will be tomorrow, starting at 8am!
The intensity expected from Move On The Mountain and its ultimate goal to aid you achieve a Healthier and Fitter 2019, resonates with Suga Lifestyle.
Move On The Mountain is a 2-hour long fitness and motivational experience held at the top of Reggae Mountain, the home of Kamp Kamila Fitness in Kingston, Jamaica.
It is expected to be a fat burning, calorie torching and character-building MOVE that kicks off with a high intensity full-body SWEAT, followed by a specially curated series of hill drills, AB work and then a STRETCH!
Reggae Mountain Movers will have to dig deep to tackle the full 90 minutes of healing endorphins heightened by the transformative power of nature and the magical Skyline vibes. There will be 3 fitness levels (red, green and gold), 500-1000 calories to be burnt and health intentions to be set for continued 2019 MOVEment and beyond.
The intense workout will close out with delicious post-workout smoothies from Kamila’s Kitchen, a health talk featuring surprise guests, a post fitness reggae party and of course,
A GIVEAWAY FROM SUGA LIFESTYLE COURTESY OF LOCAL SWIMWEAR COMPANY, MIAKALANI SWIM and the chance to WIN TICKETS to SUGA LIFESTYLE’S CHRISTMAS CONNECTION!
Hope to see you on the mountain tomorrow and be ready to MOVE!
For more information and to pay for your spot USD$28.16, click on this link:
https://linktr.ee/Iamkamilamcdonald
CHEERS!
Source Information: Move! On The Mountain on www.eventbrite.com
By: Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
GET READY FOR SUGA LIFESTYLE’S CHRISTMAS CONNECTION on Sunday, December 15th at The Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston!
Enjoy Tasty Treats by Alex Creations Ja, Chocollor Chocolate and Chilly Witch 876 !
Perk up with Complimentary Coffee by Jablum ☕ and FREE LIQUOR ðŸ»!
Shop Art, Books, Ceramics, Fashion, Woodcraft, Personal Care, Plants and Agro-Products.
It’s a Family Affair with Giveaways and Part Proceeds go to Suga Lifestyle’s Charities!
Stay connected to see what more is in store for all things Handcrafted, Handmade, Jamaican at your 1-Stop Christmas Shop. 🇯🇲🎄ðŸŽ
Managing Director and CEO of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, Norman Grant and Founder/Owner of Suga Lifestyle, Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga, at last year’s first staging of Suga Lifestyle’s Christmas Connection on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at The Liguanea Club.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Jack Sprat Bar and Restaurant is known as the neighbourhood hotspot. The locals hit the rum bar or play ludi and dominos with music playing in the background. There were sufficient seating areas and I sat on the deck overlooking the sea.
They had an efficient system for taking your order and then getting your food to you in record time, regardless of the amount of persons there. By observation, there wasn’t the usual wait for fresh, grilled Seafood. The sizes of those fishes were off the plate! I had the Pizza, which they are also known for. It wasn’t the best or Italy’s finest, but it still hit the spot.
Medium sized Jerked Chicken Pizza from Jack Sprat Restaurant and Bar ($1280JMD)
If you want to top things off, there is ice cream. Great, rustic, local spot for family and friends to gather, eat and have a good time.
Out of cash? No excuses, because Jack Sprat has an ATM! Jack Sprat Bar and Restaurant is value for money and is #SugaEndorsed.
Jack Sprat Bar and Restaurant
Location: Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth
Ph: 876-564-8983
They will deliver your Pizza!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
A Curry Festival?! Interesting! Save the Date and some Tums Foodies. Kingston’s 1st Curry Festival will be May 22 from 6pm – 12am at Hope Zoo with food, live performances and an artisan village. Early Bird Tickets are now available for $1000JMD. Children under 12 are FREE.
Two of my favourite Curry joints, Lyming at Walkerswood and Murray’s Fish and Jerk Hut will be there! Also, Banyan Catering, Soup King, Sip n’ Go and more.
Part Proceeds from each ticket sold go to the Jamaica Kidney Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting kids with kidney diseases through finance, education and support.
Mark your Calendars and buy your early bird ticket today!
Kingston Curry Festival
For Early Bird $1000JMD Tickets: Go to Adam & Eve Day Spa/ Online at https://touchstoneticketing.com
Instagram: @kingstoncurryfestival
Website: www.kingstoncurryfestival.com
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Now that last weekend is over, here is something else to look forward to!
Appleton Estate’s Jamaica Rum Festival will be March 9 – 10, 2019 in Hope Gardens and should be showcasing our country’s excellence in Rum, Food and Music.
Save the Date that you choose to go!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga, in front of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts on the 3-in-1 Cemetery, Voodoo and French Quarter Tour (October 2018)
Suga had an epic Girls trip to New Orleans two weeks ago. The trip was unforgettable.
I enjoyed New Orleans’ rich culture in food, art and jazz music with a touch of voodoo/witchcraft. I admired that the locals have fully embraced their culture and even after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, they returned to help to build back New Orleans to what it is today. Note that, interestingly, everywhere in New Orleans was flooded except for the French Quarter. That is when you ask yourself, is their voodoo/witchcraft culture authentic?
Street Scenes (Trick or Treat)
Sadly, there is a lot of poverty in New Orleans. I was told it is at a rate of about 30%, which actually used to be higher before Hurricane Katrina. There were many homeless persons seen walking around or laying in the streets. However, there were also other less fortunate persons that decided to use their talents or a gig to earn money. I appreciated that effort instead of just begging persons aimlessly as they do in Jamaica.
For instance, there were a few that held uncomfortable poses with a pan nearby for contributions. Statues were seen all around the French Quarter of New Orleans and some persons looked like them. A man painted in gold close to the French Market stood out for me. For a moment, I questioned whether he was real or not, but of course the girls had to break him.
There was ‘Shake that Ass Granny’ who did just that, as well as persons who came out with their guitars or other instruments and sang songs.
This dog on top of a dumpster was quite dressed up and a trick. We realised he was part of a gig too. If you weren’t quick to take pictures, his owner came with a pan and covered his face.These weed candies did not even have the essence of weed. Trick!
There were a few street parades that you could join if you wished and many Bachelor and Bachelorette squads around.
Art and Voodoo/Witchcraft
Outside of Jackson Square were filled with artists and their captivating paintings in the day. At night, they were replaced with Tarot Card readers. There were also a lot of Galleries and stores with Art. If you missed the artists in the day, there were options, but few, to purchase affordable art in souvenir shops in the French Quarter.
The Voodoo man outside of St. Louis Cemetery #1
Where to stay and How long should you stay in NOLA?
If you go to New Orleans, about 4 or 5 days is enough to see and experience everything. Stay close to the French Quarter where all the action is and most places you would need to go to are in walking distance. If your destination is a few blocks away, respectable cabbies are nearby and uber is available.
Malls/Stores/Antique Shops
For the shopaholics, stores such as H&M (418 N Peters St.) and a few others are in the French quarter, but you would have to take a drive out to get to a mall. There are about three. I suggest Lakeside Shopping Center mall (3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie), which is the biggest mall there and has the majority of familiar stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21, Bath and Body Works, Express, Gap, Coach, Aeropostale and more.
• Magazine St. for antique shops
• Royal St. for shopping and souvenirs
Tours
3-in-1 Tour Guide, ‘Storm’
• 3-in-1 Cemetery, Voodoo & French Quarter Tour ($13 by Groupon (or $25) + $1 entry to cemetery; 28 persons per tour)
This tour lasted over 2 hours, but with our experienced and exciting Tour Guide, ‘Stormie’, it was worth it. It provides you with a chance to enter one of the world-renown cemeteries, St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, while also visiting popular landmarks in the French Quarter. A bit of Voodoo culture and history is also included, as this adventure combines 3 tours in 1.
The French Quarter/Cemetery/Voodoo tour meets at the corner of Royal and Conti Street. Persons are to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time to check in.
You can learn how and why people are buried above ground and how the “Vault” works! The grave of the famous Queen of Voodoo, Marie Laveau is also there. (Stay tuned for Suga’s Breakdown and Review)
Inside of St. Louis Cemetery #1, New Orleans
N.B. The Basin St. Station shop (501 Basin St.) for unique souvenirs was by the restroom stop/map of New Orleans on the tour.
• Food tour: Destination-Kitchen.com OR www.MUSTDONOLA.com ($54.99USD)
This tour lasted a bit over 3 hours because of various stops at bars and restaurants. It was quite informative about New Orleans History and Food. (Stay tuned for Suga’s Breakdown)
Our Tour Guide, Chef Philipe serving us up some Muffuletta in The French Market
Walking allows you to stop and take pictures as you wish and maybe even stray a bit and catch up with the group. But if you would like to tour without having to walk, there are other options.
• The Steamboat Cruise with Buffet Dinner
Suga heard this Buffet Dinner had Seafood you could not finish!
• The Double Decker Bus Tour
• The Horse and Carriage ride tour
Bars and Clubs/Hot spots
• Willie’s Chicken Shack (707 Canal St.)
Willie’s Chicken Shack has huge frozen drinks. Keep your tall cup! Some other bars may allow you to enter with your drink in it, some may not. So bottoms up if you must!
• Huge Ass Beers (609 Bourbon St.)
Racquell Brown with her ‘Huge Ass Beer’
This bar keeps the party going all day long and into the night!
• The Hand Grenade (721 Bourbon St.; 600 Bourbon St.; Bayou Club at 610 Bourbon St.; 435 Bourbon St.; Funky Pirate™ at 727 Bourbon St.)
A frozen drink that gives you quite a buzz! There are a few of them lining Bourbon street too.
• ‘The Beach on Bourbon’ (227 Bourbon St.)
One of the most popular clubs in New Orleans. The DJ keeps you moving.
***Apologies, but Suga didn’t get to note the names of other clubs that were hot spots***
Jazz Festivals and Music
• Frenchman Street
Three blocks if Jazz clubs after 9pm. I honestly missed out on this street, because the girls could not get enough of Bourbon Street. However, we were told about the Jazz Festivals there accompanied by succulent pork and lamb chops in the day. On one of the nights, a friend who was there said it was quite a ‘sober crowd’ and told us to stay on Bourbon St. and journeyed about 28 minutes to meet us.
Restaurants/Cafes/Markets
There are so many high quality restaurants, cafes and markets. You can pick choose and refuse. Word is, if an establishment falls off its game, it gets shut down or closes.
So here are a few that Suga visited and would have liked to visit:
Another Cafe for Beignets and pasties, however their Beignets could have used more baking time. Note that it gets crowded too.
• Muriel’s (801 Chartres St., Jackson Square - haunted; Fine dining)Â
Great for Crab cakes, huge Pork Chops, Cheesecake and Bread pudding!
• Irene’s (529 Bienville St., between Decatur and Chartres, right in the heart of the historic French Quarter)
Reputable for Italian and Seafood.
• Antoine’s Restaurant (713 Saint Louis St., Royal St.)
The oldest family owned restaurant in the USA (now operated by 5th generation), serving traditional French Creole cuisine since 1840. It’s reputable for its Crawfish, Oysters and Shrimp.
*Fine dining and Reservations go fast
• Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro (720 Orleans Ave.)
– Casual Fine Dining Restaurant
• French Market
Has practically everything you can think of such as fruits, fresh produce, Cajun creole nuts, deep-fried peanuts, coffee, their ‘must have’ muffuletta and more.
• New Orleans Creole Cookery (410 Talouse St.) – Great for Cocktails, Fresh and Char Grilled Oysters.
Char Grilled Oysters with Cheese, Garlic and Butter
Recreation/For the Kids
• Carousel Gardens Amusement Park (New Orleans City Park)
An Amusement Park with a few heart-wrenching rides. [Cost for Rides and Entry for Adults: $22USD]
A Tip for the Guys
• When approaching a lady with her crew, ensure your game is quick and DO NOT say you are going to the bar to come back with only a drink for her and yourself. She won’t be there when you come back. Ladies bar hop!
Tips for the Ladies
• DO NOT wear long, flowy Pants or Dresses that reach the floor in the streets. The streets are far from clean.
• Pack comfortable shoes and Sandals for a lot of walking and dancing.
• Ensure you stash tissue in your purse, because you cannot count on any bathroom in the club or bar late at night to have toilet paper.
• You can’t just ask for beads, you have to show something or dance for them!
Tips for Everyone
• If travelling in a group and time allows, schedule a few hours or a day for Personal time to see places and experience what others may not have prioritized on their list. You may have another person in the group with similar interests as you.
• You will wait forever if you want to hear Reggae or Dancehall music in New Orleans. Big up Shaggy and Elephant Man. You were played!
• Always have your phone ready to capture a moment or to record a video because those streets are unpredictable!
• Don’t go with the expectation to get any sleep! You will miss out!
(L-R) Songe Sandcroft, Taraja Richards, Gabrielle Burgess, Glennette Sinclair, Anya Pennycooke, Racquell Brown and Stephaney Farquharson hit Channing Tatum’s Saints & Sinners Bar on Bourbon Street for their Girls Trip in NOLA! (October 2018) #JamaicansinNOLA
A visit to New Orleans is truly #SugaEndorsed.
Stay tuned for more details on Suga’s experience with the 3-in-1 tour, The Food Tour and of course, a Restaurant Review!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Article, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga, in front of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts on the 3-in-1 Cemetery, Voodoo and French Quarter Tour (October 2018)
Suga had an epic Girls trip to New Orleans two weeks ago. The trip was unforgettable.
I enjoyed New Orleans’ rich culture in food, art and jazz music with a touch of voodoo/witchcraft. I admired that the locals have fully embraced their culture and even after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, they returned to help to build back New Orleans to what it is today. Note that, interestingly, everywhere in New Orleans was flooded except for the French Quarter. That is when you ask yourself, is their voodoo/witchcraft culture authentic?
Street Scenes (Trick or Treat)
Sadly, there is a lot of poverty in New Orleans. I was told it is at a rate of about 30%, which actually used to be higher before Hurricane Katrina. There were many homeless persons seen walking around or laying in the streets. However, there were also other less fortunate persons that decided to use their talents or a gig to earn money. I appreciated that effort instead of just begging persons aimlessly as they do in Jamaica.
For instance, there were a few that held uncomfortable poses with a pan nearby for contributions. Statues were seen all around the French Quarter of New Orleans and some persons looked like them. A man painted in gold close to the French Market stood out for me. For a moment, I questioned whether he was real or not, but of course the girls had to break him.
There was ‘Shake that Ass Granny’ who did just that, as well as persons who came out with their guitars or other instruments and sang songs.
This dog on top of a dumpster was quite dressed up and a trick. We realised he was part of a gig too. If you weren’t quick to take pictures, his owner came with a pan and covered his face.These weed candies did not even have the essence of weed. Trick!
There were a few street parades that you could join if you wished and many Bachelor and Bachelorette squads around.
Art and Voodoo/Witchcraft
Outside of Jackson Square were filled with artists and their captivating paintings in the day. At night, they were replaced with Tarot Card readers. There were also a lot of Galleries and stores with Art. If you missed the artists in the day, there were options, but few, to purchase affordable art in souvenir shops in the French Quarter.
The Voodoo man outside of St. Louis Cemetery #1
Where to stay and How long should you stay in NOLA?
If you go to New Orleans, about 4 or 5 days is enough to see and experience everything. Stay close to the French Quarter where all the action is and most places you would need to go to are in walking distance. If your destination is a few blocks away, respectable cabbies are nearby and uber is available.
Malls/Stores/Antique Shops
For the shopaholics, stores such as H&M (418 N Peters St.) and a few others are in the French quarter, but you would have to take a drive out to get to a mall. There are about three. I suggest Lakeside Shopping Center mall (3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie), which is the biggest mall there and has the majority of familiar stores such as Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21, Bath and Body Works, Express, Gap, Coach, Aeropostale and more.
• Magazine St. for antique shops
• Royal St. for shopping and souvenirs
Tours
3-in-1 Tour Guide, ‘Storm’
• 3-in-1 Cemetery, Voodoo & French Quarter Tour ($13 by Groupon (or $25) + $1 entry to cemetery; 28 persons per tour)
This tour lasted over 2 hours, but with our experienced and exciting Tour Guide, ‘Stormie’, it was worth it. It provides you with a chance to enter one of the world-renown cemeteries, St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans, while also visiting popular landmarks in the French Quarter. A bit of Voodoo culture and history is also included, as this adventure combines 3 tours in 1.
The French Quarter/Cemetery/Voodoo tour meets at the corner of Royal and Conti Street. Persons are to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time to check in.
You can learn how and why people are buried above ground and how the “Vault” works! The grave of the famous Queen of Voodoo, Marie Laveau is also there. (Stay tuned for Suga’s Breakdown and Review)
Inside of St. Louis Cemetery #1, New Orleans
N.B. The Basin St. Station shop (501 Basin St.) for unique souvenirs was by the restroom stop/map of New Orleans on the tour.
• Food tour: Destination-Kitchen.com OR www.MUSTDONOLA.com ($54.99USD)
This tour lasted a bit over 3 hours because of various stops at bars and restaurants. It was quite informative about New Orleans History and Food. (Stay tuned for Suga’s Breakdown)
Our Tour Guide, Chef Philipe serving us up some Muffuletta in The French Market
Walking allows you to stop and take pictures as you wish and maybe even stray a bit and catch up with the group. But if you would like to tour without having to walk, there are other options.
• The Steamboat Cruise with Buffet Dinner
Suga heard this Buffet Dinner had Seafood you could not finish!
• The Double Decker Bus Tour
• The Horse and Carriage ride tour
Bars and Clubs/Hot spots
• Willie’s Chicken Shack (707 Canal St.)
Willie’s Chicken Shack has huge frozen drinks. Keep your tall cup! Some other bars may allow you to enter with your drink in it, some may not. So bottoms up if you must!
• Huge Ass Beers (609 Bourbon St.)
Racquell Brown with her ‘Huge Ass Beer’
This bar keeps the party going all day long and into the night!
• The Hand Grenade (721 Bourbon St.; 600 Bourbon St.; Bayou Club at 610 Bourbon St.; 435 Bourbon St.; Funky Pirate™ at 727 Bourbon St.)
A frozen drink that gives you quite a buzz! There are a few of them lining Bourbon street too.
• ‘The Beach on Bourbon’ (227 Bourbon St.)
One of the most popular clubs in New Orleans. The DJ keeps you moving.
***Apologies, but Suga didn’t get to note the names of other clubs that were hot spots***
Jazz Festivals and Music
• Frenchman Street
Three blocks if Jazz clubs after 9pm. I honestly missed out on this street, because the girls could not get enough of Bourbon Street. However, we were told about the Jazz Festivals there accompanied by succulent pork and lamb chops in the day. On one of the nights, a friend who was there said it was quite a ‘sober crowd’ and told us to stay on Bourbon St. and journeyed about 28 minutes to meet us.
Restaurants/Cafes/Markets
There are so many high quality restaurants, cafes and markets. You can pick choose and refuse. Word is, if an establishment falls off its game, it gets shut down or closes.
So here are a few that Suga visited and would have liked to visit:
Another Cafe for Beignets and pasties, however their Beignets could have used more baking time. Note that it gets crowded too.
• Muriel’s (801 Chartres St., Jackson Square - haunted; Fine dining)Â
Great for Crab cakes, huge Pork Chops, Cheesecake and Bread pudding!
• Irene’s (529 Bienville St., between Decatur and Chartres, right in the heart of the historic French Quarter)
Reputable for Italian and Seafood.
• Antoine’s Restaurant (713 Saint Louis St., Royal St.)
The oldest family owned restaurant in the USA (now operated by 5th generation), serving traditional French Creole cuisine since 1840. It’s reputable for its Crawfish, Oysters and Shrimp.
*Fine dining and Reservations go fast
• Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro (720 Orleans Ave.)
– Casual Fine Dining Restaurant
• French Market
Has practically everything you can think of such as fruits, fresh produce, Cajun creole nuts, deep-fried peanuts, coffee, their ‘must have’ muffuletta and more.
• New Orleans Creole Cookery (410 Talouse St.) – Great for Cocktails, Fresh and Char Grilled Oysters.
Char Grilled Oysters with Cheese, Garlic and Butter
Recreation/For the Kids
• Carousel Gardens Amusement Park (New Orleans City Park)
An Amusement Park with a few heart-wrenching rides. [Cost for Rides and Entry for Adults: $22USD]
A Tip for the Guys
• When approaching a lady with her crew, ensure your game is quick and DO NOT say you are going to the bar to come back with only a drink for her and yourself. She won’t be there when you come back. Ladies bar hop!
Tips for the Ladies
• DO NOT wear long, flowy Pants or Dresses that reach the floor in the streets. The streets are far from clean.
• Pack comfortable shoes and Sandals for a lot of walking and dancing
• Ensure you stash tissue in your purse, because you cannot count on any bathroom in the club or bar late at night to have toilet paper.
• You can’t just ask for beads, you have to show something or dance for them!
Tips for Everyone
• If travelling in a group and time allows, schedule a few hours or a day for Personal time to see places and experience what others may not have prioritized on their list. You may have another person in the group with similar interests as you.
• You will wait forever if you want to hear Reggae or Dancehall music in New Orleans. Big up Shaggy and Elephant Man. You were played!
• Always have your phone ready to capture a moment or to record a video because those streets are unpredictable!
• Don’t go with the expectation to get any sleep! You will miss out!
(L-R) Songe Sandcroft, Taraja Richards, Gabrielle Burgess, Glennette Sinclair, Anya Pennycooke, Racquell Brown and Stephaney Farquharson hit Channing Tatum’s Saints & Sinners Bar on Bourbon Street for their Girls Trip in NOLA! (October 2018) #JamaicansinNOLA
A visit to New Orleans is truly #SugaEndorsed.
Stay tuned for more details on Suga’s experience with the 3-in-1 tour, The Food Tour and of course, a Restaurant Review!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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