Suga dining seaside by Indies 957 at White Sands Negril last Saturday, June 11, 2022.
It just took a walk on Negril beach to find some fairly new spots with good, Jamaican food.
Indies957 at White Sands Negril (Ig:@whitesandsnegril) is the spot for Oxtail!
Control yourself with portions and save space for dinner😀
Oxtail with rice and peas and raw veggies.
The right balance in seasoning, but also a good cut of Oxtail! Tender to the bone. Cut and slide 👌ðŸ¾
Indies 957 is a neat spot for Lunch with a view of the Caribbean sea from up top and courteous, down to earth staff.
You can check out Indies 957 at White Sands Negril for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. #SugaEndorsed
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
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A rainy Saturday afternoon, hungry after errands with the reopening of Chillin’ Restaurant nearby at a central location on Holborn road meant that I had to stop for Lunch!
I was relieved to see a sheltered area for seating. Located in a new complex, loved the cosy, modern decor. I can see myself taking in some sports on the flat screen in the near future by the Bar counter.
Courteous staff that you could see worked as a team harmoniously. Orlando was our waiter and he was attentive throughout our visit.
The Menu was understandably limited during Covid times to standard Jamaican and Chillin’ faves, Curried Goat, Oxtail, BBQ Chicken and Friiiiied Chicken.
Hubby and I enjoyed our Oxtail (J$1100) & Curried Goat (J$950). His Oxtail tender, sliding off bone, while my Curried Goat had no bone really. Usual @chillinrestaurant standard. Tasty, well seasoned and spicy. But, mi nearly order 2 cuz mi did wa likkle more!
Still a great pick me up, Value for $ and their Menu and usual sizes should be back soon as they navigate Covid. #SugaSnaps for reopening P.J. Wright!!! Chillin’ Restaurant remains #SugaEndorsed 👌ðŸ¾
Chillin’ Restaurant
Location: 5 Holborn Road, Kingston. Ja
Ph: 876-665-6661
Website: www.chillinrestaurant.com/
Instagram: @chillinrestaurant
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
An intimate setting was created last Friday night on the rooftop of 20 South Luxury Apartments for Chef Garfield Jr.’s sold out Popup Kitchen by the exclusive, Sip and Savour on the 7th floor.
I sat at Table 5 with my husband, Randy and our server was quite attentive and pleasant, ensuring that wines courtesy of CPJ kept flowing throughout the night.
I ordered The Salmon and Randy went for The Oxtail. Then we eagerly watched Chef Garfield Jr and his team prepare our dinner right in front of us, with the ambience of light music in the background and the view of city lights.
We didn’t have to wait long before two well plated dishes arrived at our table.
Slow Braised Oxtail tossed with local aromatics and spices, Italian dumplings, fresh parmesan and mozzarella cheese ($3500JMD).
The Oxtail was tender to the bone and tantalized the tastebuds with the local spices and flavours. The serving size was quite small, but ask and you shall receive because when Chef Garfield took a walk around to greet guests and gather feedback, he ensured extra Oxtail was brought to our table.
Cast Iron Toasted Almond with Oven-Roasted Pineapple Crusted Atlantic Salmon, marinated and cooked in emulsified butter and deglaze with white wine ($3200JMD).
I was quite satisfied with my Salmon dish though. Decent portions, well cooked Salmon with a delicious crust on top.
Chef Garfield’s PopUp Kitchen is certainly #SugaEndorsed and another one is quickly approaching. So stay tuned to his instagram page, @chefgarfieldjr as well as Sip & Savour, @sipandsavourja (Ph: 876-665-0231).
Chef Garfield Jr with Suga at his PopUp Kitchen last Friday, November 15, 2019.
By: Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Last Thursday evening, Suga had the pleasure of attending the official Grand Opening of the Reggae Mill Restaurant at Devon House.
After two and a half years of serving Greek Cuisine at Devon House, familiarly known as Opa, owner, Alexx Antaeus decided to leave it up to his business partner, Orlease King (Jamaican, born and grown) to take over and give Devon House and by extension, Kingston, Jamaica, an authentic Jamaican cuisine restaurant.
The restaurant shares the same space as Opa and the Reggae Mill Bar, but according to Antaeus, the prices for the Reggae Mill Restaurant should be more reasonable to encourage persons to make it their preferred spot for lunch.
Appetizers were offered to guests, giving you a taste of what to expect when you decide to dine at the new, authentic Jamaican dining spot.
Niesha from the Reggae Mill Restaurant serving Ackee and Saltfish on fried, pressed green plantain.
The Ackee and Saltfish on pressed plantain gave persons the option of adding more seasoning or spice. While the tender Pork bites gave you the true Jamaican hit of spice, mixed with a touch of sweet from the sauce.
CPJ had an assortment of wines serving throughout the night and the buffet opened up, treating guests to Rice and peas, Curried Goat, Jerked Chicken, Oxtail and Stew Peas.
Stew Peas, Oxtail, Jerked Chicken, Curried Goat and rice and peas from the buffet at the Reggae Mill Restaurant Launch last Thursday, October 17, 2019.
Suga enjoyed it all. The flavours were balanced and the meats, sourced locally, were well seasoned and juicy to the bone. Orlease did a fantastic job of recreating the meals we grew up enjoying from our kitchens. We all know the home cooked Stew Peas that tied our fathers is not easy to achieve. I am also happy to say in Jamaican words, ‘it neva salt’.
Stew Peas from the Reggae Mill Restaurant!
Well done to Orlease, Alexx and their team. Looking forward to see the Reggae Mill Restaurant maintain a high standard of true, home style Jamaican cooking.
I am also looking forward to trying the Jamaican desserts, in particular, my favourite, the Bread Pudding!
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Oxtail served with rice and peas and fried plantain from Oak Kitchen ($1500JMD +G.C.T+Service charge)
Have you checked out Lunch at Oak Kitchen?!
The Oak Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge has opened Oak Kitchen with Lunch menu items on Mondays to Saturdays from 11am to 4pm. Yes, Oak Kitchen is now open on Saturdays too!
Their menu has Jamaican staples such as Fried Chicken, Oxtail and Curried Goat.
Suga has been salivating over their Instagram photos and I went last Thursday to satify my craving. It did not disappoint! My own pot full of Oxtail that was succulent to the bone.
Cool, cozy, indoor environs with modern decor, no crowd, quick and professional service. Oak Kitchen is #SugaEndorsed.
Get your Jamaican style Lunch at Oak Kitchen today!
Oak Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge Location: Unit #5, 8 Hillcrest Avenue. Kingston 6, Jamaica
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Lovers Leap has a breezy, breathtaking view of Jamaica’s southern coast stretching from Rocky Point, Clarendon in the east to Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth in the west. It is truly the best view in Jamaica for Suga. I didn’t want to leave.
The restaurant by Lovers Leap is definitely another local hotspot in St. Elizabeth. The menu pleases the local crowd with favourites such as Fish Tea and Fritters to start with, followed by choices of Oxtail, Curried Goat, Fish any way you like it, with sides of festival, bammy and/or rice and peas.
The food was being served by buffet that Easter Sunday. I’m not sure if it was because it was a holiday, but we had to tell the server when to stop! Food was in abundance and it was juicy and tender to the bone. Real Jamaican style.
Curried Goat ($1800JMD incl. tax)
Oxtail ($2000JMD incl. tax)
Lovers Leap for juicy, Jamaican Cuisine is #SugaEndorsed!
The story behind Lovers Leap
Statues of Mizzy and Tunkey outside of the Restaurant with a plaque stating, ‘Mizzy & Tunkey Together Forever’.
If you don’t remember the Legend of Lovers Leap, here you go!
Yardley Chase Plantation owner, Richard Chardley was in love with his housekeeper, Mizzy, but she was in love with another enslaved African, Tunkey from a neighbouring Plantation. Chardley was aware of this and planned to sell Tunkey to have Mizzy all for himself.
Mizzy and Tunkey decided to try and escape, but were chased to this site by the sea cliffs. In a final embrace, the lovers leapt to their death.
Lovers Leap
Location: Yardley Chase, St. Elizabeth. (~20mins from Treasure Beach in the direction of Mandeville)
Ph: 876-965-6887; 876-595-2421
Cost of tour: $300JMD/$3.00USD
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Quiet restaurant tucked away on the side of Chelsea Avenue that is appropriate for a lunch or dinner date. The location smears aesthetics, but inside is a whole different world, a gypsy world.
The menu has a variety of items falling under the category of international cuisine, but highlights Spanish and Jamaican dishes.
The staff, including Head Chef, Shane Stamp were polite and welcoming. I believe that for such a unique menu, my server, Kereen should have given me a brief introduction to the dishes of various cuisines being offered. The menu takes you from Jamaica to Mexico, over the wall to the USA, deports you back to Puerto Rico, then takes you on a tour as far as Spain and more. Kereen could have been a bit more attentive too, to check how my lunch was going. Afterall, I was by my lonesome.
I am not sure why, but my appetizer and main were served at the same time. I ordered Gypsy House favourites.
Saltfish Ceviche ($500JMD +tx +Serv. charge) – Pick up saltfish served on top of twice fried, pressed green plantains
Seafood Paella ($1000JMD +tx +Serv. charge) – Classic Spanish one pot, yellow rice, vegetables, Chorizo, Seafood and Chicken
Servings were large for a reasonable price. The Saltfish Ceviche was tasty indeed. Their Seafood Paella was nose-running spicy and full of flavour. I enjoyed it.
Kereen informed me that Mama Gypsy Jerk Chicken and Island Pancakes, as well as the Char Sui Pork Belly appetizer are favourites too. So I will probably give those a try next time.
Gypsy House was definitely value for money. I have had food from Gypsy House Tapas at various local events, but I prefer dining there.
Check out Gypsy House Tapas Restaurant for Lunch or Dinner this week!
Gypsy House Tapas Restaurant
Location: 18 Chelsea Avenue. Kingston. Ja
Ph: 876-665-3154
Facebook; Instagram: @gypsyhouseja
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Miss T happily cuts the ribbon to officially open ‘Di Wine Yaad’ (Instagram Photo: @misstskitchen)
Two Sundays ago, February 25, 2018, Anna-Kay Tomlinson, familiarly known as Miss T, officially opened ‘Di Wine Yaad’ on the same compound as her authentic Jamaican cuisine restaurant, Miss T’s Kitchen.
Suga and hubby, Randy passed by last Sunday at about 3:30pm to check out the new spot. I was greeted by cosy rocking chairs on the verandah, perfect for kicking back and sipping some vino.
The server inside was professional, but not hospitable. She answered questions abruptly and did not enquire about our wine preference in order to inform us about what was available for our preferred palate.
Wine is only available by the bottle for the time being and the Menu is currently in the making. Of course, Oxtail should be included. Miss T has the reputation for having the best Oxtail on the island, although Crystal Edge in Irish Town by Cafe Blue is stiff competition.
Di Wine Yaad already has an Instagram page with a teaser of Crispy Wonton Oxtail and Goat Cheese Ravioli that might be offered to pair with wine in the near future.
I will revisit when the Menu is ready! In the mean time, I just ordered the Oxtail Mania Appetizer from Miss T’s Kitchen to munch on before heading back to town. I wasn’t hungry, but was repeatedly warned about its small serving size by the staff. It was indeed small, but did not disappoint. Flavourful, well textured and seasoned Oxtail as usual.
Boneless Oxtail on Cocoa Bread – $1098JMD incl. tax
Miss T’s Kitchen; Miss T’s Wine Yaad
Location: 65 Main Street, Ocho Rios. St. Ann. Jamaica
Last Saturday at about 5:30pm, Suga indulged in Oxtail and Beans with rice and peas and steamed vegetables for just $630JMD +tx and ~10% service charge, still bringing it to under $800JMD.
The Alibi is in the Lee Gore Business Centre, formerly known as Peppers.
The decor could use some work such as repainting and new furniture. Also, the high stools by most tables were uncomfortable. However, it was cool without the fans on and was quite a chill, bar environment with big screen tvs for me to take in the races left to run at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics’ Champs.
The service was good with the manager overlooking things, costs were reasonable and the quality of the food was good. The serving of cooked vegetables was meagre but that was not the highlight of the dish anyway. That Oxtail was tender to the bone!
My other half enjoyed his Oxtail as well and the Red Peas soup he had as a starter.
I was feeling adventurous and tried their Alibi’s Hard Lemonade, which was refreshing but still had the presence of the spirits, red rum mostly. Careful ladies, don’t have too much of that one or drink it too fast. It is a creeper.
Happy to hit another spot with good local cuisine in Kingston though. Other favourites such as Curried Goat, Stewed Peas (on Wednesdays), Ackee and Corn Pork, Jerked and Bar-B-Q Chicken, Jerked Pork (Fridays) and Saltish & Beans are available as well for under $730JMD +tax and ~10% service charge.
For a starter, 2 main dishes and 4 alcoholic beverages to all come under $4000JMD inclusive of tax and service charge, is not that bad at all.
All restaurants in the Savoury category in Ocho Rios look like they will be enjoyable. However, it is Evita’s Italian that looks the most impressive and may guarantee more value for money. They have an astounding range of mouth-watering entrees (11!) including Lasagna Bolognese, Seafood or ‘Rastafari’, Salmon Risotto, Lobster and Baby Shrimp Fettuccine and more.
If you feel like taking RW to the beach, Bamboo Beach Club is looking good and interesting with an Oxtail Bruschetta appetizer, a main course of Smoked Pork Chop with Guava spiced rum sauce, escallion curry rice and Rum & Raisin Bread Pudding or Coffee Cheese Cake for dessert.
The appetizers at Spring Garden’s Cafe do not look too appetizing, a bit too simple. However, they have some exciting choices for the main course including Seafood Thermidor, Lobster Primavera, Chicken Caprese and more. A warm Bread Pudding with Ice Cream for dessert is usually satisfactory as well.
Ochi here comes SuGa Lifestyle!
Remember you can visit http://www.go-jamaica.com/rw/ for more information.
* Prices of each category includes 1 choice of Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert. Beverages, GCT and Gratuity are additional.
