Healthy, but Tasty Option during Restaurant Week!

If you are facing the dilemma of losing weight before Christmas, but you’d like to participate in Restaurant Week that is tempting you with various menus, here’s an option for you that is not a salad!

Nyam and Scram with the juicy, Veggie Bean Burger from Pimentos! Ask them to scratch the mayo though. You’re welcome. Enjoy!

Bean Attack – $1,300JMD *(Excludes tax and Beverage)

Black Bean and Ackee Burger (BBA) and small vegan bean soup – The ultimate veggie burger with Black Bean, Ackee, Plantain, Chipotle mayo, served on whole wheat bun coupled with a small vegetarian bean soup.

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Pimentos

Location: 26 Hope Road, Devon House, Kingston

Ph: 876-291-5400

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Certified Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist)

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Suga Taster, Taraja Jackson hits Bellefield Restaurant and Bar in Montego Bay!

Suga introduces you to Suga Taster, Taraja Jackson!

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Taraja is a Civil Engineer/ Military Officer and her favourite dish is anything with Pork! Her favourite casual place to eat in Kingston is Triple T’s Eatery and Miss T’s Kitchen for out of town. For special occasions, she visits Ivan’s Bar & Restaurant out of town and frequently goes to Tamarind Indian Cuisine in Kingston.

Taraja enjoys globe trotting and has hit quite a few countries already including Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic and more. However, she says the country she has travelled to with the best food, is Peru.

According to Taraja, the character trait that declares her as a certified foodie is that she eats and cooks for entertainment!

Suga Taster, Taraja Jackson’s Ratings for Bellefield Restaurant and Bar

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[Photo source: Edward Rattigan (Google Photos)]

Date and time of visit: October 23, 2019 (Lunch time)

No. of diners: 6 adults

Name of Server – Nickesha 

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum 

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★☆

Food quality: ★★★★★

Serving amount: ★★★★★★

Plating: ★★★★★

Value for $: ★★★★★

Suga Taster, Taraja’s Breakdown!

Nestled in the hills of Fairfield, Montego Bay, Chef Robert Joseph’s Bellefield Restaurant and Bar at Bellefield Great House was a pleasant lunch time surprise. They had a wide selection of items on their menu, however the group chose to select from the lunch time special menu, which was reasonably priced at $1000JMD per person to include a small Soup of choice and an Entree.

The service was excellent. We were greeted at the entrance and seated immediately. The server was courteous and highlighted all the specials for the day. I selected the Vegetarian Pumpkin Soup topped with roasted coconut shavings, which boosted the flavour of the soup. It was quite tasty.

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Vegetarian Pumpkin Soup (Sml)

The Entree did not arrive right away, but the group was distracted by basking in the pleasant ambience of the estate. We had Island Style Fried Chicken served with rice and peas and roasted vegetables. Other options were Chicken Penne Pesto, Whole Red Snapper with fries and Jerk Grilled Chicken with rice and peas/Baked Potato.

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Bellefield Restaurant’s Island style Fried Chicken ($1000JMD +tx – Sml Soup + Entree combo)

The portions were adequate and the Chicken was fried crispy to perfection with a delicious Bbq sauce on the side.

Bellefield Restaurant is in the Savoury Category ($2800JMD) for Restaurant week that starts today and ends on November 17! Give them a try!

Bellefield Restaurant and Bar

Location: Bellefield Great House, Fairfield Ave, Montego Bay

Ph: 876-952-2382

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Edited By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Foodies, Restaurant Week will be back for its 15th Year! Save the Date!

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Block this week out Foodies! Restaurant Week will be back for its 15th year!

Are you ready to enjoy what Restaurants have to offer islandwide at discounted rates?

Stay tuned.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Did the NEW Chive Restaurant make a good first impression?

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Suga’s Ratings for Chive Restaurant

Date and time of visit: Wednesday, November 13, 2018 at 8:00pm

No. of diners: 3 adults

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Food quality: ★★★★★

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

Suga’s Breakdown:

Jamaicans love a new restaurant that looks modern and is easy to get to and that explains why Chive Restaurant is booked out for Restaurant Week (RW). Chive is in the Savoury Category for $2800JMD, where G.C.T and Beverages are at an additional cost.

They definitely took the huge risk to open and participate in Restaurant Week to make a first impression on the public. But bravo! They did well.

The staff was polite, attentive and quite composed for the occasion.

The Restaurant is small, but comfortable with modern décor that was tastefully put together.

The menu for Restaurant Week offered a good variety of options including Vegetarian, Seafood, Beef, Chicken and Pork dishes. Food came out in a reasonable amount of time and servings were sufficient. The taste of everything was on point and Chive was definitely value for money. Two thumbs up for Restaurant Week!

Appetizers

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Crispy Glazed Pork Belly stuffed in a steamed bao bun with Hoisin sauce, ginger and pickled cucumbers.

Firstly, the RW menu said Pork Buns and not Pork Bun. However, we threw that critique out the window after we indulged in a healthy serving of succulent, well seasoned Pork Belly with a crisp that met you upon each bite.

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Plump grape tomatoes, grilled garlic lobster and basil drizzled with a honey balsamic reduction on toasted baguette slices.

For the Grilled Lobster Bruschetta, we were wondering if we would get mostly tomatoes, but that was not the case. The Bruschettas were toasted just right and filled with Grilled Lobster. Delightful. Hopefully they can keep up this standard.

Main

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Oxtail Alfredo – Traditional ‘fall off the bone’ Oxtail combined with penne pasta tossed in creamy Alfredo sauce.

I must admit that I was not in the mood to be disappointed with another Oxtail Pasta that didn’t really have Oxtail in it. So when ordering, I requested that I do not get ‘the essence’ of the Oxtail and I get my Pasta loaded with tender Oxtail. I can’t guarantee the same for you, but ask and you shall receive!

The Oxtail was tender, well seasoned and tasty. It was not overpowered by a heavy, creamy alfredo sauce. The taste and consistency of the sauce was just right to complement the Oxtail.

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Beef Bourguignon – Tender chunks of Beef simmered in a rich red wine gravy served atop garlic, rosemary mashed potatoes and country roasted vegetables.

The Oxtail Pasta was impressive, but we thought the Beef Bourguignon was the winner of the night. The serving could have been bigger, but the flavour was outstanding. The Beef was well seasoned and enhanced by the red wine gravy that was rich indeed with a citrus flavour. #SugaSnaps.

Dessert

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Warm Bread Pudding with Buttery Rum Sauce.

I was told when ordering that there was no Vanilla Bean Ice Cream to accompany the Bread Pudding as stated. This disturbed me since Sovereign supermarket is across the road and so is Devon House Ice Cream.

Nanda Dukharan, one of the owners who checked on our table from time to time to gather feedback and ensure everything was going smoothly, actually makes ice cream. When that was explained to us, I understood that they wished to keep the authenticity of their Ice Cream once they iron out a few kinks. So you cannot expect the Pineapple Ginger Ice Cream with Scotch Bonnet Brittle either, which was also on the menu.

I then thought my serving of Bread Pudding should have been larger to compensate. Thankfully it was warm and savoury.

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Decadent Bailey’s Irish Cream Cheesecake.

The Cheesecake was definitely decadent and a great finale for our dinner.

Chive Restaurant still has a full dining and bar menu to finalize post Restaurant Week, so they are definitely on Suga’s radar. For now, Chive Restaurant is #SugaEndorsed.

I hope they keep it up because I am looking forward to a new spot to eat and drink for the holiday season! Aren’t you?

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(L-R) Friends and Foodies, Jehan Knight, Randy Burgess and wife, Gabrielle a.k.a Suga feeling quite content after a fulfilling RW dinner at the new Chive Restaurant.

Chive Restaurant

Location: Shop 15, Orchid Village Plaza. 20 Barbican Road. Kingston 6.

Ph: 876-820-1194

Instagram: @chivejamaica

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

Suga’s recommendations for Restaurant Week!

Many of you may be seasoned Restaurant Week (RW) attendees by now. Since Suga is in the same boat, I have selected restaurants whose menus have stood out and are different from what they usually have for RW. They also have a reputation for good service, good quality food and value for money.

For those who still have a lot to experience with Restaurant Week, take a gamble if you do not see your choice on my list. You never know, you may end up with a winner for dinner.

Let’s get to it!

***The Price of each category includes a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert. Beverages, G.C.T and gratuity additional***

EPICUREAN ($4300JMD***)

Fromage Brasserie in Kingston! Best menu on the Epicurean list.

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Fromage Brasserie’s Signature Dish of Lobster, Shrimp & scallop tossed in white wine mornay sauce & stuffed in lobster tails.

DELECTABLE ($3800JMD***)

Nirvanna Indian Restaurant in Kingston! Best Ethnic Restaurant in Kingston. Great choice for an authentic, Indian feast.

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Flingback Friday to Suga and husband, Randy Burgess’s dinner at Nirvanna Indian Cuisine

SAVOURY ($2800JMD***)

KINGSTON

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• Chive Eatery in Village Plaza, Kingston – New kids on the block with a killer menu of Pork buns, Oxtail Alfredo, their Signature dish of Crispy, glazed Pork Belly stuffed in a steamed bao bun with hoisin sauce, ginger and pickled cucumbers and more! They may be the dark horse of RW!

• Jamaica Liquor Warehouse in Kingston – One of my favourites. I would eat anything on their menu. Great variety, taste, good service and value for money.

• Tamarind Indian Cuisine in Kingston – Never usually disappoints. Savoury, authentic Indian food with good service.

MONTEGO BAY

• Pelican Grill has served well for many years. I would go with them if choosing this category in the second city.

I would also take a gamble with:

• Bubble & Spice, Coral Cliff

• Pier 1

• Uncorked West

OCHO RIOS

• Anglers – A family pleaser with a mouth-watering seafood menu.

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Fling Back Friday to my Steamaz from Anglers!

• Evita’s Italian Restaurant – They practically have the same menu each year, but it is so extensive that you can keep trying new savoury dishes in a delightful ambience with good service.

• Seaside Dutchie – Great seafood by the sea with unique presentation. This visit could be a fun family day or evening out. Their seafood is usually served in reasonable time compared to others.

TASTY ($1850JMD***)

• Sharkies Bar Grill & Tours in Runaway Bay – You may run the risk of a long wait, but it’s usually worth it. Great seafood by the sea.

• Smoked Marin Restaurant in Hanover – Delicious food by the sea with big portions. Their Signature Jerked Calamari dish looks interesting.

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Smoked Marlin’s Jerked calamari with brown butter remoulade and glazed carrots.

NYAM & SCRAM (30% off/Discounted Lunch Specials)

•  Devon House Bakery for sweeting up the palate after a reduced size main.

• Fish Pot for serving up value for money for the people. They have a healthy salmon dish and a creamy coconut lobster pasta!

• Kushites Vegetable Cuisine -Take advantage of their deals! Best vegetarian restaurant in Jamaica.

● Super’s Spicy Doubles – I’ve never been, but I would take a gamble with those curry dish deals for $600JMD or less.

MORNING BITES (Discounted Breakfast Specials)

Mr. Breakfast looks like a deal!

Reservations are recommended for all categories except for Nyam and Scram and Morning Bites. I suggest you still call ahead or just before you make your way for the restaurants that aren’t fast food ones in the Nyam and Scram category.

Check out Restaurant Week’s Website,  http://go-jamaica.com/rw/ to see full menus and to find contact information and locations for the Restaurants.

Enjoy!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Suga’s choices for Restaurant Week…

Suga’s choices for Restaurant Week will be out tomorrow! You already know were to book for Epicurean, stay tuned!

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Throwback to last Sunday when Suga scoped out what a few Restaurants had to offer at the Restaurant Week Launch at Devon House.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Blog, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Fromage for Restaurant Week?

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Fromage Brasserie’s Chicken Parmigiana

Suga is throwing it back to a delicious Chicken Parmigiana that was enjoyed some time ago! Crispy Parmesan chicken, melted mozzarella, marinara pasta.

As Restaurant Week quickly approaches, it is time to peruse menus if you haven’t already and book your desired spots as soon as possible.

Two important tips for Restaurant Week in Jamaica

1. It is best to go during the week. There is fewer people, better service and a better overall experience.

2. If it has to be a weekend night, make reservations for an early time such as 6 or 7pm to avoid the rush.

Fromage Bistro on Hillcrest Avenue is usually my preferred choice over Fromage Brasserie in the Market Place, but have you seen Fromage Brasserie’s menu?!

Fromage Brasserie is in the Epicurean Category ($4300JMD+ Beverages & taxes).

For Appetizers, local blue crab chunks, creamy spinach and tortilla chips as well as Crispy salmon & cream cheese rolls with sweet Habanero sauce have caught my eye.

For the Main, Chicken Parmigiana is there, 8oz Beef medallion, shrimp & crab Oscar chapeaux béarnaise, as well as Lobster, Shrimp & scallop tossed in white wine Mornay sauce & stuffed in lobster tails.

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Fromage Brasserie’s Signature Dish of Lobster, Shrimp & scallop tossed in white wine Mornay sauce & stuffed in lobster tails.

Dessert doesn’t have their signature Bread Pudding on the menu, but the options look just as divine.

If Fromage Brasserie weathers the rush of Market Place diners with smooth service and executes their fine dishes, they should be one of Restaurant Week’s winners for dinner.

Check out Restaurant Week’s Website,  http://go-jamaica.com/rw/ to browse categories and what the Restaurants have to offer before the big issue in The Gleaner this Thursday.

***The Price of each category includes a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert. Beverages, G.C.T and gratuity additional***

*Reservations recommended*

Fromage Brasserie

Location: Market Place – 67 Constant Spring Road. Kingston.

Ph: 876-649-0820-1 

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

Restaurant Week 2018 launches this Sunday at Devon House

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Restaurant Week Jamaica launches this Sunday at Devon House from 11am-5pm and Admission is FREE.

Enjoy delectable cuisines from some of the participating restaurants, browse and shop stunning pieces from the Fashion Village and buy fresh local produce from the Farmer’s Market.

It should be a fun Sunday. Enjoy and get your preview for Restaurant Week Jamaica 2018, which begins Saturday, November 10 and runs until Sunday, November 18.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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How was Sunday Dinner for Suga at The Terra Nova for Restaurant Week (Epicurean)?!

Last Sunday at 6:30pm, I had Dinner at The Terrace, Terra Nova All Suite Hotel. The Terrace is in the Epicurean category ($4300JMD) for Restaurant Week and my husband, Randy and I were looking forward to having sumptuous dishes.

We had a great start with the Appetizers. I preferred the Seafood Medley.

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Coquille de Mer – Medley of Seafood in a rich cream sauce with mushroom and cheese
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Confit of Pimento Chicken – On a medallion of hard dough bread and a drizzle of pineapple pepper jelly

We both had the Lobster Bisque to follow, which was rich Lobster Soup, finished with cream and Brandy. I appreciated that the Soup was not salty. It was rich indeed and tasty.

Apart from a long wait before the Entrees, service was smooth. When we were waiting a little bit more than half an hour with no update on the arrival of the Entrees, a waiter caught my eye looking around and said that our Entrees were coming out shortly and they did. Besides that hiccup, the staff were cordial and quite attentive. The food was sumptuous as expected too.

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Terra Nova Petit Fillet – Petit prime Filet Mignon grilled, topped with Shrimp and Blue Mussel scampi with Scallop Potato and roasted Vegetable.

With the above salivating description of a Surf n’ Turf, I think they could have served more than a single Shrimp and Mussel. Props to the Chef though, because that cut of meat was perfection  and cooked to order, medium rare, exactly how we like it. Same goes for the Lamb Chops! No disappointment there, because Terra Nova is known to have the best on the island. I thoroughly enjoyed those portions.

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Terra Nova Half Rack of Lamb – Marinated New Zealand Lamb crusted with garlic and rosemary, roasted and served with mint and Pomegranate Au Jus

Dessert was decadent and quite a delightful ending to our Sunday Dinner.

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Dessert served at The Terrace, Terra Nova All Suite Hotel last Sunday, November 12, 2017.

The three courses with the addition of a beverage, service charge and G.C.T came to about $6000JMD per person. The Terrace at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel was definitely value for money and is Suga Endorsed for Restaurant Week.

There are still three nights left for Restaurant Week and it may not be too late to make those Reservations!

Enjoy!

The Terrace at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel 

***Reservations Recommended***

Location: 17 Waterloo Road. Kgn. 10.

Ph: 876-926-2211; 876-926-9334

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Flawless Service from Fromage Gourmet Market & Bistro for Restaurant Week’s Delectable Category!

Suga had a fabulous date with husband, Randy Burgess last Saturday night. Reservations were for 7pm at Fromage Gourmet Market & Bistro on Hillcrest Avenue and we were on time.

This Fromage was listed under the Delectable Category ($3800JMD) for Restaurant Week (RW). So dinner with a beverage including 5% service charge and tax can run you up to $5500JMD for one person.

We chose an early time for dinner, when the newly refurbished and slightly more spacious Fromage would not have been filled to capacity as yet. It reached full capacity midway through dinner though.

The Staff were courteous and extremely attentive without being overwhelming. All members of Staff were on the floor, paying attention to the tables whether they were serving that table or not. A sign of well-trained staff. Our server was Dimel, who I am familiar with. Always a pleasure.

Food came out like clockwork and water glasses were topped up when necessary. Great service.

The Appetizers were flavourful.

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Bacon wrapped maple smoked Prawns

I had the Bacon wrapped maple smoked Prawns and Randy had the Marlin Corn Fritter Stack. I always enjoy Fromage’s house-made Pepper Jelly that has that divine mix of spicy and sweet as the name suggests.

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Marlin Corn Fritter Stack – Sweet Corn Fritter stack topped with Marlin and Pepper Jelly

As we wrapped up with the Appetizers, JPS had a promotion going on throughout the night for RW diners to download their JPS App and drop their card with contact information into a bag. They came during dinner service to do the first raffle draw for the night.

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Suga a.k.a Gabby from Suga Lifestyle was the first lucky winner at Fromage Gourmet Market & Bistro for downloading the ‘My JPS’ App!

Our Main dishes came out shortly after the excitement of shaving $5000JMD off of our next Light bill.

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Guinness BBQ Ribs with Sweet Potato Mash and Steamed Market Fresh Vegetables

My BBQ Ribs pleased my taste buds as described. They were lean, juicy, well seasoned and slow-cooked to a tender perfection.

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Steak Au Poivre – Peppercorn Crusted Beef Tenderloin in a Brandy cream sauce with Sautéed Potatoes and Steamed Market Fresh Vegetables

Randy’s Steak Au Poivre was cooked to order. It was so succulent. Bravo Chef!

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Medium rare Steak cooked to order!
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Caramel Bread Pudding

Without a doubt, dinner came to a close for me with their popular Caramel Bread Pudding. It was warm and scrumptious as usual with their salivating caramel crumble on top.

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Bailey’s Ice Cream Sundae

Randy thoroughly enjoyed his Bailey’s Ice Cream Sundae.

Fromage Gourmet Market & Bistro is Suga Endorsed for Restaurant Week. Pay them a visit if you can and continue to enjoy.

Stay tuned for Terra Nova’s review for the Epicurean Category!

Remember that the Menus with Restaurant Locations and Contact numbers are online at:

http://go-jamaica.com/rw/

***Prices for each category include choice of Appetizer, Main Course and Dessert. Beverages, G.C.T and Gratuity additional.***

Fromage Gourmet Market & Bistro

***Reservations Recommended – 15 minutes holding time***

Ph#: (876) 622-9856; (876) 927-7062

Address: 8 Hillcrest Ave., Kingston 6

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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