Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga, Founder/owner of Suga Lifestyle feeling sunkissed at Gee Jam Hotel in Port Antonio last weekend. [👙: @miakalaniswim]
Happy I finally got to spend a weekend at Gee Jam Hotel!
It was a serene stay with captivating views and calm waters. Friendly staff. Tasty Breakfast and Lunch. Delish Dinner. The blended drinks need some improvement, but try the Ting a ling! Also waiting for the bar by the beach to open. 😊
I appreciated the clean, comfortable rooms and balcony. The grounds were well kept too.
Hubby and I enjoyed a Great Paddle boarding tour by Arthur of the Channel, Turtle Island and where the last James Bond movie was filmed!
The View from Gee Jam Portland!
Suga definitely hopes to return soon.
Remember there are lots of deals online for our local Hotels. Enjoy our very own Sweet Jamaica & have a Staycation!
Let’s help them to stay afloat until we move forward after Covid. They are doing their best to keep us safe. We need balance and R & R time too! Book your stay to enjoy Sun, Sand and some Vitamin Sea ðŸ¹ðŸ
By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)
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Happy Ash Wednesday everyone. Have a peaceful, restful day.
XoXo,
Suga
By: Gabrielle Burgess
If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.
Mike’s Supper Club at The Trident Hotel had spectacular service and ambience enhanced by rhythmic live jazz, where the band used Trident’s one of a kind Ferrari red 1917 Steinway baby grand piano. Some of the best voices in world, jazz and bop music have left their nightly signature on it.
Beverages were grand, but I can’t say the same about their dishes.
We started things off with Pumpkin Soup and a Goat Cheese Salad. The Pumpkin Soup was probably the largest dish of the night.
Pumpkin Soup with coconut, lemongrass and spiced chicken (US$12 +G.C.T +Serv. charge)
Fresh Greens and Goat Cheese Salad – Fried Cheese, Pickled Onion, Red Grapes, charred Pepper and Red Radish (US$15 +G.C.T +Serv. charge)
The Goat Cheese Salad was quite tasty and flavourful, but our entrees followed and disappointed in that aspect and more. We had the Rack of Lamb and Surf n Turf. Both dishes were extremely small servings. In addition to an already exorbitant cost of US$50 for the Surf and Turf, sides of Vegetables and Starches were additional for US$3 and $US6 respectively before tax and service charge.
Rack of Lamb – Pistachio crust, Wine Tamarind Jus, roasted Vegetable and Butternut Puree (US$32 +G.C.T +Serv. charge)
Surf n Turf – Angus Beef Fillet, seared Shrimps, roasted Seaweed and smoked Pepper Coulis (US$50 +G.CT +Serv. charge)
To add to the disappointment of small servings, even though our meats were medium rare as requested, the Lamb and Beef lacked proper seasoning and flavour.
The food may not have been value for money, but it was certainly a pleasurable experience.
Mike’s Supper Club at The Trident Hotel
Location: Port Antonio
Ph: 876-633-7100; 1(800) 300-6220
Website (Menu available): www.thetridenthotel.com
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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From the hillside to the sea, diners can experience the best of both worlds, while seated at Cliff Hanger’s rustic and comfortable Restaurant and Lounge.
My husband and I received hospitable service and our food arrived in a timely manner. Afterall, we ordered the Drunken Lion Fish and would not want that process to be rushed. What made it drunken? The sauce consisted of Red Stripe Beer, White Rum and Red Wine.
Drunken Lion Fish ($27USD + G.C.T + 15% Serv. Charge)
All three spirits were evident in the Drunken Lion Fish sauce and the dish was quite tasty. I am afraid it was not value for money though. For the Lion Fish dish ($27USD) and a Cocktail ($7.50USD), the damage ended up being a little over $6000JMD per person, i.e. $12,157.82 for the both of us after G.C.T and Service charge were added, which is far too expensive. Suga suggests they provide a local rate for their menu.
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The view from the restaurant at Kanopi House, Portland
Two Saturdays ago I had lunch at Kanopi House, Portland that is nestled in 100ft banyan trees with a breathtaking view of the Blue Lagoon.
There weren’t many options on the menu, so my husband and I went with Chicken and Fish sliders with a side of freshly made potato chips.
Chicken sliders with Potato chips ($27USD) from Kanopi House, Portland
Service was quick and the staff was courteous. The food was pricey, so thankfully it was tasty too. With that view and comfort, why complain though?
A small bar was available to get spirits from as well.
Of course, nothing is too predictable in the relaxed parish of Portland. The menu varies from day-to-day and I was told by one of their Chefs, Cecile Watt that items on their dinner menu have an Asian twist. Perhaps we will try them for dinner when we go back to that side of our beautiful island.
Suga a.k.a Gabby Burgess (L) and husband, Randy Burgess with Chef Cecile Watt from Kanopi House on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
Kanopi House
Location: Blue Lagoon, San San, Port Antonio (7-10mins away from Blue Lagoon) Ph: 876.632.3213 US: Â 800.790.7971 UK (London): 0203.318.1191 Canada: 416.800.9157 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kanopihouse.com
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Last weekend was filled with sun, sea, food and rum for Suga and husband, Randy in the scenic parish of Portland.
Our first stop last Friday night was The Italian Job owned by Chef Gianmaria Pedroli who calls himself, The Pizza Man.
It’s a quaint restaurant on the side of the road on Harbour street that seemed to attract a lot of Europeans visiting the island. The Pizza Man was hospitable and made us feel quite comfortable. He seemed to have two local Chefs working for him that night, who he checked on from time to time after he took our order.
Randy started things off with a classic Italian Minestrone soup and I had Bruschetta, where the bread was toasted just right. The tomato was fresh complemented well with herbs and a light touch of vinegar.
Bruschetta – Toasted Bread topped with garlic, olive oil, freshly diced tomato, vinegar and herbs
Our mains arrived theatrically with steam still coming off the plates. We thoroughly enjoyed our flavourful pastas, mine a little less loaded with seafood than Randy’s. Lobster was still abundant throughout my dish and the shells served with the dishes weren’t just for presentation, but contained meat as well. The sauce was not heavy, so despite the size of the dishes, we did not feel gluttonous at the end, but fully satisfied with its lightness, freshness, flavour and authenticity.
Linguini con Aragosta ($3000JMD incl. tx) – Pasta with Lobster, white wine, tomato, parsley and garlic
Linguini The Italian Job ($3000JMD incl. tx) – Pasta with Lobster, Clams, Shrimps, Mussels, Calamari, freshly diced tomato
Prices were beyond reasonable and Dessert was available too.
The Italian Job is definitely #SugaEndorsed. We returned the next day to pick up our Pizza order!
Stay tuned to see other foodie stops we made for the rest of the weekend!
Chef Gianmaria Pedroli a.k.a The Pizza Man and Randy Burgess after Randy was served his Linguini Italian Job with steam abound.
The Italian Job Pizzeria and Restaurant
Location: 29 Harbour Street. Port Antonio.
Ph: 876-573-8603
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm; Closed on Sundays and Mondays
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Pop-Up Gourmet can satisfy a variety of customers. Families, persons in the corporate sector that may have to buy lunch daily or host business lunch or dinner meetings, bar hoppers and ofcourse, the foodie that loves to dine at restaurants frequently throughout each month, all benefit from Pop-Up Gourmet.
Pop-Up Gourmet Advantage Card Holders can use their cards at over 70 locations in Kingston, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Port Antonio and the South Coast. Members can also enjoy special discounts and privileges at Food Lovers’ Experiences such as the annually held Simply Red ($500JMD off of ticket for 2014) and more.
It costs $6500JMD to sign up annually, where payment can be made online. They will also even come to you with a swipe card machine for payment! The card is valid for one (1) year and there is a referral programme for other benefits.
So how does it make sense? The average working person that buys a decent lunch including a beverage everyday for about $1000JMD and goes a little harder on the weekend can make back that fee in just over a month with 10-15% discounts at various restaurants and bars. Not to mention the family that eats out or gets take-out at least twice per week, that money is made back promptly.
Unfortunately, card holders cannot use Pop-Up Gourmet for Restaurant week menus but cards can still be presented for items otherwise. Also remember that Christmas is right around the corner with many outings, so the more you can save, the better.
Popular lunch locations include Toss & Roll, CPJ Market, China Express, Cuddy’z, Deli Works, New Leaf Vegetarian, JoJo’s Jerk Pit and More, Ocho Rios Jerk Centre, John Crow’s Tavern, Pier 1 and more.
Hot dinner spots include Caffe da Vince, Tamarind Indian Cuisine, Saffron, Fromage Gourmet Market, Evita’s, Opa, 689 by Brian Lumley, Mystic India and more.
When the end of the week comes and you are running up that bar bill, fret not if you hit up Macau, Bin 26, Cru, Margaritaville, The Deck and others.
I have enjoyed discounts of $500JMD and more from The Wine Shop, Christopher’s at Hermosa Cove and China Express to name a few. My Pop-Up Gourmet Card is so precious, I literally never leave home without it. One night I was hurrying to leave the house, switching from hand bag to clutch so carried just my cards and ‘get vex’ money, only to realise when I got to the restaurant that I left my debit card and only had my Driver’s License, Insurance card, Pop-Up Gourmet card and hardly any cash. Hilarious. But that Pop-Up Gourmet card popped me out of debt or having my friends pay when I was able to use my exact amount of cash as a result of getting over a $500JMD discount by presenting my Advantage card. Phew!
I have also found that when I have slightly overspent or was just within budget, the money from my discount can be used towards tips instead of having to find even more money to spend.
What are you waiting for? Check out http://www.popupgourmetjamaica.com/ for information on more participating locations, what’s hot in the culinary industry, benefits and to sign up now!
Also follow ‘popupgourmetjamaica or Pop-Up Gourmet Jamaica’ on Instagram and Facebook respectively, to keep updated on deals and when new Restaurants and Bars have signed on thus giving you more options to save!
When in Portland, nothing is ever normal, from the beautiful landscape to the humorous, hospitable nature of the people. So it is no surprise that Anna Banana is nestled within. It is sometimes hard to find a decent, affordable meal in Portland if you do not wish to go high end at Trident Castle, Geejam Hotel or any of the well known villas. But when driving along Folly Road it is hard to miss the Anna Banana sign. Anna Banana is a triple threat with access to the Restaurant, Beach and Bar. They are open everyday for lunch and dinner, so with that said, I made a visit on Easter Monday.
Upon entering Anna Banana, I was greeted nicely and given a choice of where to sit. They have a beautiful seaside view. There is also an antique authentic, wooden, thatchy decor and irie feel to the Restaurant and Bar. Local artwork is displayed and a stage is present, since they have performers and various events on some nights.
The waiter approached the table with old school style, hospitality and charm. He issued the menu and what they had to offer for the day rolled off of his tongue. They seemed to have a limited amount of dishes available that day compared to the wide range of options displayed on the menu. The menu shows a variety of chicken, pork, beef, vegetarian and seafood dishes with many side order options.
I ordered the soup of the day and the Grilled Cray fish with garlic sauce. Both took a little while to arrive but it was a tolerable wait. The Crayfish was a decent size served with a tossed vegetable salad and baked potato. The salad was quite ordinary but the Crayfish was tasty and the garlic sauce complemented it well.
The bill was about $2550JMD, so could be less. However, the waiter was attentive throughout and with the lovely ambience, I left a happy diner.
