Suga’s Restaurant Week Round-up!

How was Restaurant Week for Suga and her Suga Bears? Not so exciting. The majority of Suga Bears’ responses were ‘meh’, ‘It wasn’t all that’ and ‘I didn’t participate this year or feel the urge to’. I totally agree. Marketing was probably at its lowest this year. It seemed as if the Ambassadors were practically invisible until the week had almost passed by. The Nyam & Jam Food and Drink Festival had a lot more buzz going on. Did the US elections and the victory of Donald Trump kill advertising? It’s partially the media’s event so they should have had control over that.

The lack of creativity and variety in Menus were also disappointing for many this year, causing some not to participate at all.

Though in agreement, I still tried to find and suggest the best Restaurants and got a few to change their mind. One was pleasantly surprised with Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine’s Nyam and Scram. It was not only affordable but filling and delicious with the right amount of spice.

Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine ($1300 +GCT)

 

Suga can’t say the same for CPJ Deli’s Nyam & Scram though. Thankfully I made the right choice with the Pan Seared Snapper Fillet. It was the best of the worse at the table with its bones and all. The Grilled Garlic and Ginger Pork Chop was lacking seasoning and a salivating sauce and the Crispy Parmesan Shrimp Salad was a disaster. The best thing on that plate was the taco shell that the Salad came in. The Salad arrived at the table with no vinaigrette as advertised and the Shrimps were burnt. When my friend was already trying her best to get halfway through, the waitress realised she forgot to serve it with the vinaigrette and Parmesan cheese for the Shrimp. The Parmesan cheese could not help that dry, burnt Shrimp though. Most of the staff were unpleasant and seemed overwhelmed by the Deli full of diners. They usually have good service but last Saturday was horrible. Even getting an extra fork was a production. Their Restaurant Week menu did not include a Soup or even a Muffin but only a glass of wine or a Vodka mix along with the meal. Thankfully we digressed from the Restaurant Week menu and ordered the Chocolate Endulgence. Go to CPJ Deli if you are in need of a proper Chocolate fix! Let it soften from the fridge for a bit and then allow it take your breath away. Endulge!

CPJ Deli Pan Seared Snapper Fillet ($1200 +GCT)

Cannonball Café was a good Nyam & Scram pick as I had suggested. They really were all that and a bag of chips.

Cannonball Café’s Turkey Bacon Ranch Club Wrap with Chips, a Cookie and Medium French Press- $896 +GCT (Photo credit: Randy Burgess)

The Houseboat Grill (Delectable) in Montego Bay was average and the food was described as salty. Have they fallen off? That would be a shame. Suga will have to revisit and see for herself.

The Houseboat Grill (Photo credit: Nicole Goodin)

Mystic Thai (Delectable) in Montego Bay had good feedback. It was said that their ambiance and service were great as usual. They offered 1 of each Appetizer. My Suga Bear was not a fan of the Wings Appetizer and found the Salmon to be satisfactory, but enjoyed the Minced Chicken Entrée and Chocolate Mousse.

Mystic Thai (Photo credit: Nickalia Kinkead)

Marguerites Seafood by the Sea in Montego Bay (Epicurean) has kept up its sensational standards.

I was let down by the build up for L’Escargot (Epicurean). Thankfully the best thing was their Escargots. Long waits, tasty but not so delicious food, desserts that were not decadent and waiters that lacked charisma. Not value for money but will revisit as they have an extensive menu.

Escargots from L’Escargot

I was disapponted that I did not get to try Boardwalk Bistro, Ocho Rios (Tasty) for Restaurant Week. They took a while to greet me as a diner and did not start serving the RW menu until 5:30pm. Since it was literally on the Boardwalk close to the sea and given the casual look of the Restaurant & Bar, I think it would have been appropriate to offer their menu during lunch time was well. The tourists on their Cruise may have also enjoyed that option.

Boardwalk Bistro’s Rum Fire Ice Cream Cake (Photo credit: @jamaicagleaner Instagram Photo)

Sadly I will have wait to return some day to taste their Rum Fire Ice Cream Cake (if available) that I was looking forward to, as well as one of their best sellers, the Fisherman Seafood dish with scallops, shrimp, squid, mussels and fish.

Boardwalk Bistro’s Fisherman Seafood Dish (Photo credit: Jermaine Barnaby; @jamaicagleaner Instagram Photo)

Great Escape at Runaway Bay Golf Club (Savoury) was a pleasant surprise. New kids on the block with great service and food with a picturesque view.

Evita’s Italian (Delectable) also held it down in Ocho Rios. Kudos to them. They had another good year.

Evita’s Italian (Photo credit: Simone Green)

In Kingston, it was reported that Redbones (Delectable) was good but not great. I think they are consistently good but didn’t see based on their menu where they would be spectacular.

Saffron Indian Cuisine (Savoury) was not prepared for Restaurant week. A Suga Bear had an 8:00pm reservation with friends and got seated at 8:50pm at a two seater table for three people. What a shame.

The Regency Room at Terra Nova All Suite Hotel (Epicurean) lived up to its reputation of having the best Lamb Chops!

Many Restaurants may not have been mentioned but these are the highlights for Suga this year based on experiences and feedback given. If you did not choose to participate in Restaurant Week this year, still have a look at the Restaurants at www.go-jamaica.com/rw/ and see where looks interesting that you haven’t visited as yet. Let us remember Restaurants not only treat diners with special offers for Restaurant Week but participate for opportunities to expand their patronage and debut new items on their Menus.

I look forward to trying Bettino by Drax Hall Estate, Ocho Rios and Smoked Marlin in Hanover some day soon.

Well that’s it for this year folks. Until next year!

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By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Suga’s Visit to Sora Japanese and Savoury Picks for RW 2016!

Suga visited the newest Japanese Restaurant to date in Jamaica, Sora Japanese Sky Cuisine almost 3 weeks ago on a Saturday afternoon at about 4:30pm.

It took a few flights of stairs to get to the top floor where it is located and I don’t remember seeing any options for persons with wheelchairs. I really did feel like I reached the sky. Nice, new, modern décor awaited and pleasant faces. I prefer the outside seating and loved that they had a Bar out there.

Their menus were extensive for Food, Drinks/Cocktails and Wine. They had a special on Hardy’s wine (Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay, Moscato) from Select Brands for $450/glass and $1850/bottle which is probably much less compared to other Restaurants and Bars for decent enough Wine.

The name of our waiter slipped my memory but he offered excellent service. They have a buzzer for each table as well.

I would have preferred for Food to arrive quicker but it was still within a reasonable time.

Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and I was happy with his suggested Appetizer of Seafood Sumiso ($820JMD) -Boiled Shrimp & Scallops in a nice homemade Vinegar Miso Sauce that complemented it well.

Seafood Sumiso

My husband and I also had Miso Soup ($280JMD), Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura ($1750JMD), the Philly Roll ($1050JMD), California Roll ($730JMD) and another roll.

We didn’t expect the Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura to be all fried into one, meaning you couldn’t see the vegetables. So that was a bit disappointing but the Rolls were good as expected.

We topped dinner off with the Oreo rare Cheesecake ($780JMD) that was lovely and actually tasted homemade.

In terms of prices, they are comparable to the other Japanese Restaurants with regards to food. So basically, high metabolism folks like myself would have to order multiple dishes to feel satisfied because 1 Japanese dish/entrée in general is not filling enough, which racks up your bill.

Suga had a pleasant visit and will return.

***Note that Sora will be participating in Restaurant Week (RW) in the Savoury ($2800JMD) category (excluding Bar, Service and G.C T) and is recommended by Suga.

Sora Japanese Sky Cuisine

(Reservations Recommended)

Location: 9-11 Phoenix Avenue. Kingston

Ph: 876-649-0131; 876-649-0132

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30am-11pm

*Closed on Sundays*

Some more Savoury Picks from Suga for RW! :

Other than Sora Japanese, in Kingston, Suga selected Fromage Gourmet Bistro and The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach.

Suga did not select any Indian Restaurants in this Category because if you are going to go with Indian, why go halfway? Go all out in the Delectable Category.

Fromage Gourmet Bistro has consistently good food and service. Their menu of Steak, Crab stuffed Chicken, Lasagna Florentine is quite inviting.

The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach’s Smoked Pork Chops are delish! They do large servings that taste good. Great value for money.

For the 2nd city, Montego Bay, Suga’s pick is the good old Pelican Grill, where the Surf and Turf should be a pleaser.

For Ocho Rios, if Suga were to choose what looks like good gambles, I would go with Caffe da Vinci Ochi that suits Vegetarions, Meat lovers and Seafood lovers and the Great Escape Restaurant at Runaway Bay Golf Club.

***For Reservations***

● Fromage Gourmet Bistro

Location: 8 Hillcrest Avenue, Kingston

Ph: 876-622-9856; 876-927-7062

● The Palms Restaurant at C&C South Beach

Location: 2 Brompton Rd., Kingston 5

Ph: 876-630-4571; 876-630-4163

● Pelican Grill

Location: Gloucester Avenue Strip, Montego Bay

Ph: 876-952-3171

● Caffe da Vinci (Ocho Rios)

Location: 7/13 Turtle River Road. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-630-7025

● Great Escape Restaurant, Runaway Bay Golf Club

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-973-4239

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Where to Reserve your Tables for RW’s Delectable Category!

Suga could not select a clear #1 choice for RW’s Delectable Category ($3800JMD excl. Bar, GCT, Service charge) this year because of the difference in Cuisines.

So Suga’s Top 2 picks are the relatively new kid on the block, Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine in Kingston and the always outstanding, Houseboat Grill in Montego Bay based on their menus and in turn value for money, ambience, décor and service.

The Surf and Turf from The Houseboat Grill should be to die for!

Remember that the Delectable and Epicurean categories are excellent considerations for Date nights or to dress up and go out with Friends and Family. Shampoo!

Dinner from Nirvanna last December 2015!

Chicken with Spinach, Chicken with Fenugreek and a RW 2016 Menu item, Tikka Masala

For Kingston, the runner-up choice for me is Redbones Blues Café. They do a lovely Lobster Pasta. I expect more of the same from Majestic and Whitebones so did not consider them. The Restaurants listed under Kingston should be revised for this Category.

The runner-up for Montego Bay is the new, Mystic Thai. I think they could do better with their menu based on what they are capable of offering though.

For Ocho Rios, I gave Evita’s Italian Restaurant the edge over Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove for those that haven’t visited Evita’s in years. Both have good service and food but Christopher’s has the better view if seated outside. So Christopher’s is known for delicious, authentic food with a seaside view but even though the menu for Evita’s seems more of the same, their Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine was one of my most memorable and favourite RW dishes to date. Whole Lobster in the shell tossed with Baby Shrimp and Lobster meat! The Salmon Risotto was lovely as well.

Evita’s RW 2014!

Linguine ‘Contessa’ Fettuccine

***For Reservations***

● The Houseboat Grill

Location: Montego Freeport, St. James. Montego Bay

Ph: 876-979-8845

● Nirvanna Indian Fusion Cuisine

Location: Unit 1, 80 Lady Musgrave, Kingston 10

Ph: 876-927-9077; 876-927-9634

● Evita’s Italian Restaurant

Location: Eden Bower Road. St. Ann. Ocho Rios

Ph: 876-974-1012;876-974-2333

● Redbones Blues Café

Location: 1 Argyle Road. Kingston 10

Ph: 876-978-6091

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Where to Make Reservations for Epicurean for Restaurant Week Jamaica 2016!

TGIF! We have 1 week to go until Restaurant Week Jamaica (RW) starts next Friday, November 11 and runs through to Saturday, November 19th.

The Epicurean Category ($4310JMD excluding Bar, GCT, Service Charge) has been a drag with the same Restaurants every year so Suga is excited to make the new addition, L’Escargot in Ocho Rios the top pick overall for Epicurean this year.

L’Escargot has been on my ‘Places to Go’ list for some time and their menu looks inviting. Their signature Escargots sautéed in garlic butter, herbs and white wine is highly anticipated for the Appetizer. I am wondering how it will compare to the famous, award winning Toscanini Italian Restaurant that is also in Ocho Rios. There are choices of Smoked Blue Marlin or Sautéed Sea Scallops as well.

Lamb Chops, Fillet Mignon and Grilled Giant Prawns are the salivating Entrée choices.

Créme brulee, Créme caramel and Chocolate mousse are the choices for Dessert.

Do you have your passport Suga Bears? Ochi here I come!

For those who are doubling up or can’t make it to Ocho Rios for RW, my top pick for Kingston is Rojo Restaurant at the Spanish Court Hotel, which strives to give consistently great service and serve consistently good quality food compared to Terra Nova. Terra Nova usually lives up to their polished reputation for Restaurant Week but Rojo’s menu is Suga’s preferred choice.

Fling Back Friday (#fbf) to RW 2013 at Rojo Restaurant

Marguerites Seafood by the Sea, which was my choice last year, is my top pick this year for Montego Bay. The menus from Sugar Mill and Restaurant at Round Hill haven’t grabbed me. I love that Marguerites revised their RW menu. The Pepper Steak Moderne accompanied by a Caribbean risotto topped with oxtail ragout should be a treat. I was thoroughly impressed by my visit last year, which was perfection.

#fbf RW 2015 at Marguerites!

***For Reservations***

● L’Escargot

Location: Main Street, Runaway Bay. St. Ann, Ocho Rios

Ph: 973-5652; 973-5589

● Rojo Restaurant at The Spanish Court Hotel

Location: 1 St. Lucia Avenue. Kingston.

Ph: 926-0000

● Marguerites Seafood By the Sea

Cloucester Avenue, Montego Bay

Ph: 952-4777

By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Where are you watching Super Bowl 50 Jamaica?!

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The day is here for the Greatest Show on Earth, Super Bowl 50!

If you have no clue what has been happening but you have to watch the Super Bowl, update yourself and check out past NFL or post round ups by Suga.

Practically everywhere will be showing the Broncos-Panthers showdown. Who will you be carrying? Where will you be watching it?

Just to name a few, MoBay massive, Bigg’s BBQ Restaurant & Bar should be a treat. Anglers, Ochi with Wray & Nephew to keep you company and Endzzone with Heineken & Loaded fries specials for Portmore City!

Kingstonians have a range of options. To name a few, The Grid Iron @ Hope Gardens ($2500 presold; $3000 Gate; Food on sale; Free Parking) with host Yendi Phillips, $1500 Drinks inclusive @ Medusa, 100 Hope Road, The Blend Bar Pegasus, The Regency Bar & Lounge, C & C South Beach with tonnes of specials and the list goes on.

So whether it’s at the Bar or BBQ at a friend’s house, ENJOY!

Lady Gaga will be singing the National Anthem and The Halftime Show will include performances from Bruno Mars, Beyoncé and Cold Play!

Is it 6:30 yet?!!! Cam Newton and the Panthers, Peyton Manning and the Broncos LIVE on a TV near you!

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Miss T’s Kitchen offering the best of Jamaican cuisine in Ocho Rios!

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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.

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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.

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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!

Miss T’s Kitchen

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Location: 65 Main St., Ocho Rios

Ph: (876) 795-0099

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Suga enjoys Seafood at Anglers, Ocho Rios

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Last Saturday Suga took a road trip to Ocho Rios and ensured that she made a stop at Anglers for lunch at 2:30pm.

Parking was adequate and there was another couple that arrived at the same time.  We were the only diners there.

We were greeted pleasantly by our waitress and seated in a comfortable tropical, bar-like atmosphere, i.e. wooden barrels used for seats, a pool table etc. Even though it seemed quiet at the time, the pool table and performance stage indicated that the place may be full of activity in the evenings and at nights. I was told of beautiful lighting at nights, which I can just imagine from evidence of wiring and light sockets partially hidden in the thatched roof.

As I moved on to scan the menu, I noticed reasonable prices and Fish cooked any way you like it and availability in different sizes. The usual side orders of bammy, festival etc. were offered at mostly $200JMD each. There was also Sea Cat, Conch, Lobster and Shrimp kebabs and more. Outside of seafood, Jerked Chicken was also on the menu.

The Appetizers included Soup, Conch Fritters, Cracked Conch and more. We ordered at 2:40pm and our Cracked Conch ($850JMD) arrived in 15 minutes. By itself it was not so impressive but when dipped in their Citrus sauce it was awesome!

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Even though I ordered a 3/4lb Steamed Parrot. Our waitress told us they only had Red Snapper at that size. I went ahead with my order nonetheless. I was also happy that the 3/4lb option was offered because the 1lb option is on the heavy side portion-wise.

While enjoying our Cracked Conch and Red Stripe, our waitress checked on us and updated us on the time remaining for our main dishes to arrive, which was in 10 minutes.

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Steamed Sea Cat with steamed bammy

My other half’s Steamed Sea Cat ($900JMD) and my Steamed Fish ($850 for 3/4lb) arrived in the time expected. They were both delicious.

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Steamed Fish with steamed bammy

Suga endorses Anglers as a comfortable spot to enjoy some Seafood out of town!

Anglers Seafood Restaurant and Sports Bar
Location: Windsor Road. St. Ann’s Bay. St. Ann
Ph: 876-794-8449

Facebook: Anglers Jamaica

Instagram: @anglersjamaica

*FREE WIFI (that works!)*