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Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottage disappoints a Suga Bear

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Suga Bear, Sacha Riley’s Ratings for Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages

Date and time of visit: Monday, April 2, 2018 at 2:30pm

No. of diners: 3 adults; 2 kids

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Décor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Food quality: ★★☯️☆☆ (2.5)

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★★★

Value for $: ★★☯️☆☆(2.5)

Comments: 

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Impressive views and well maintained grounds. Décor could incorporate more of the cottage theme though. Menu had a sufficient variety of items. There was a tasty selection of Appetizers such as Popcorn Shrimp and Chicken, encouraging one to look forward to the main. However, the main dishes disappointed. Ribs were overcooked, failing to slide off the bone and the Pork Chops that lacked seasoning had a Guava glaze sauce, which did not meet its elaborate description to complement them. The Mac and Cheese was said to have ‘too much Tasty Cheese’ as it was too heavy. They then failed to redeem themselves with Dessert for a good end to the meal. The Very Berry Blue Cheesecake was said to be just blue and wasn’t ‘very berry’ at all.

Service and speed were commendable, but the quality of food did not meet the standard required for the Restaurant to be worth the drive.

Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages has been known to be an enjoyable place for myself and others to visit for savoury food with a view. Suga hopes this bad experience was an anomaly. If not, I hope they get back on track soon. Afterall, they are on too steep a mountain to take such a fall.

Blue Ridge Restaurant and Cottages
Location: Salt Hill Lot 9 East Rural, St. Andrew, Blue Mountain
Ph: 562-7580
***Reservations recommended***

Instagram: @blueridgeja

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

Lunch at Café El Centro!

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Smoked Marlin Salad ($1850JMD +tx)

Suga’s Ratings for Café El Centro

Date & Time of Visit: Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 2:15pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★☆

Décor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: Manager, Tina Newman continues to be an exceptional hostess, making you feel right at home. The Smoked Marlin Salad was tasty and quite filling for a salad. My Grilled Sea Trout that was made to order, came out in 20 minutes as I was told it would. It was well seasoned and cooked. The mango salsa complemented it well. I was given the option of potato mash instead of the bammy and also had a freshly tossed vegetable salad on the side with their house-made vinaigrette. Cosy spot with satisfactory service and food. Value for money. #SugaEndorsed

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Grilled Fish ($1800JMD +tx)

Café El Centro 

Location: 8 Hillcrest Avenue

Ph: 876-927-8415

Opening hours: 9am – 10pm

Email: cafeelcentro@gmail.com

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Suga has Pizza and Beer at Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria

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Suga’s Ratings for Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria!

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★☆☆☆

Décor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments: Parking is far too tight for the entire Plaza. Definitely not a place for Wine with a limited selection, so I see why they seem to now go by Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria instead of Debut Fine Wine and Grill – Brick Oven Pizza. Good Service and filling, tasty Pizzas. Love the incorporation of spice. Affordable prices. Simple, cosy spot for lunch.

Suga visited Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria two Saturdays ago at about 3:45 pm.

Even though they are known mainly for Pizza and that is what I went there for, I browsed their menu and it had a variety of items other than Pizza at affordable prices. Appetizers such as Buffalo Wings, Spicy Nachos, Mozzarella sticks, Calamari and more are available in the range of $648 – $1298JMD.

There are Paninis for $998 – $1198JMD, Salads for $698 – $798JMD and Pastas for $1698 – $1998JMD.

Jamaican Specialties such as Jerked Chicken, Escoveitched and Steamed Fish, Pepper Shrimp and more are available for under $3000JMD.

Vegetarians are not left out. There are Veggie Cheese Kebabs, Veggie Pizza options and more. The Pizza Siciliana (Grilled Eggplant, capers, tomato sauce, mozzarella) and Pizza Manchurian (Veggie balls, tomato sauce, mozzarella) look like a treat, whether you are Vegetarian or not.

Most importantly, quite a variety of Pizzas are available in the range of $1398 – $1898JMD. You can pick, choose and refuse from the traditional Pepperoni, Hawaiian, Margherita and Jerk Chicken Pizzas or you can go with Pizzas that have more divine toppings such as the Pacifica (Smoked Pacific Salmon, capers, sour cream, tomato sauce) and Pizza Marinara (Shrimp, Calamari, Fish, tomato sauce and cheese). You can also customize your own Pizza with protein and veggies.

Dessert is available as well, but with limited options.

It was quite lonely when my husband, Randy and I went there, but we were told by our hospitable hostess that the place really comes alive at night and when the cruise ships come in. The Cafe that was two shops down

got a lot of traffic when I was there though.

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Indian Spiced Chicken – Chicken Tikka, Cheese, Green Pepper, Onion ($1498JMD)

Our Pizzas arrived within 20 minutes of ordering. Randy, who loves spice thoroughly enjoyed his Indian Spiced Chicken Pizza. I can confirm it was as good as it looks. It was a mouthful of spicy, flavourful and cheesy goodness, not just because I tasted it, but because he finished eating his Pizza before me. That’s a record! Indians own the restaurant, hence a few dishes showcasing Indian cuisine and the incorporation of Indian spices and flavoured protein toppings on the Pizzas.

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Pizza Meatza – Jerk Chicken, Pepperoni, Jerk Sausage, Onion ($1698JMD)

I had the Pizza Meatza, that was like a full house. It was stacked with Jerk Chicken, Pepperoni, Jerk Sausage and Onion. Scrumptious!

Refreshing Red Stripe Beers were the perfect combo with our Pizzas. Pizzas from Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria are #SugaEndorsed.

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Gabrielle a.k.a Suga and husband, Randy Burgess enjoying Pizza and Beer at Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria on Saturday, March 3, 2018.

***Prices quoted are before G.C.T***

Debut Brick Oven Pizzeria

Location: Shop #15 Bay Harbour Plaza (Next to Burger King); 1-3 Gloucester Ave. (Hip Strip), Montego Bay

Ph: 876-971-6566

Facebook: Debut Pizza

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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TGIF to these Lamb Chops from Steak House on the Verandah!

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Lamb Chops in Mint Gastrique from Steak House on the Verandah

Salivating Lamb Chops in Mint Gastrique from Steak House on the Verandah!

What’s Gastrique? A sweet-and-sour sauce, where sugar or sometimes honey is caramelized and combined with the same portion of vinegar, ultimately making a slightly thickened syrup after it’s reduced.

Go get those Lamb chops and have a great weekend!

Steak House on the Verandah

***Reservations Recommended***

Location: Devon House

Ph: 876-616-8833

Facebook: @steakhouseja

Instagram: @thesteakhouseja

Opening Hours:

Mon. to Thurs. @ 12 noon – 9:30 pm

Fri. & Sat. @ 12 noon – 10:30 pm

***Closed on Sundays*** 

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Suga has Pig Ears Thai Style in Jamaica!

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Suga’s Ratings for Mystic Thai!

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★★

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★★

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★★

Comments: Great Service and Authentic Thai Cuisine dishes infused with a well-balanced variety of herbs, spices and flavours in satisfactory portions for affordable prices. Ambience and lighting for a romantic dinner, but also a neat spot to meet for lunch or dinner with family and/or friends over drinks.

I challenged Mystic Thai in Montego Bay to cook me Pig Ears Thai style and they did not disappoint!

I visited Mystic Thai two weekends ago to not only try the Pig Ear dish prepared for me, but to also enjoy other dishes for dinner on Saturday night at about 8:45pm with my husband, Randy who does not eat pork.

Randy started off with a fiery Tom Yum Vegetable Soup ($4USD), which was a mixture of lemon grass, Thai herbs and chilli paste. It’s not for the light-hearted. It was a burst of flavour defining all herbs that later offered the taste buds some relief with the cool, minty effect of lemon grass.

He then enjoyed the Crispy Fried Okra Appetizer ($8USD) that I highly recommended.

In my last article on Pig Ears, I took my readers through several countries and how they usually prepare Pig Ears for their cuisines. So I wasn’t surprised when Chef Bansi Joshi came to our table presenting a Pig Ears Salad. The Pig Ears were boiled first, then cut longitudinally and deep-fried.

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Pig Ears Salad with lemon juice, cilantro, scallion, tomato and onion.

I thought that was going to be it, but out came another Pig Ears dish!

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Kapow style Pig Ears with Thai Chilli, garlic and other spices.

This time the Pig Ears arrived Kapow style, that is, based in soy sauce and cooked with garlic, chilli and other spices. I am not a fan of soy sauce, but appreciated the spicy flavour brought on by the Thai Chilli that accompanied it, along with other added spices. It was sweet, then immediately followed by a hit of spicy.

The Pig Ears had a bit of crisp and slightly rubbery texture as expected for both dishes and they were prepared the same way. I preferred the Salad that was lighter with a more highlighted taste and texture of the Pig Ears, along with the refreshing taste of lemon juice and cilantro.

I actually could not accommodate much more food. I had a few of my delish Shrimps in Panang curry, then sampled a bit of Randy’s Basil Naan and Lobster in Red Thai Curry. The Lobster was tasty, meaty and its sauce complemented it well.

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A. Shrimp in Panang Curry based in Red Chillies and Peanuts topped off with coconut cream sauce ($14USD) B. Basil Naan ($3USD) C. Lobster in Red Thai Curry, a blend of Dried Red Chillies, Kaffir Lime rind, Coriander root and Cumin ($18USD)

We were both stuffed and satisfied, especially after the gastronomic day we had, but I ensured space was made for the Fruit and Nut Chocolate Naan that I missed out on the last time I visited. I am paying for that Nutella at the gym right now but it was worth it!

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Fruit and Nut Chocolate Naan

Suga snaps to Owner, Kareena Mahbubani for taking on and facilitating my Pig Ears challenge, Chef Bansi for great execution and the staff for their usual great hospitality and attentiveness.

Hope to visit again soon! #SugaEndorsed

Mystic Thai (Asian & Thai Cuisine)

Location: B11 – Fairview Towne Centre Unit, Montego Bay

Ph: 876-633-6535

Website: http://www.mysticthaijamaica.com

Opening Hours: Mondays – Sundays, 11:30am – 10pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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TGIF to this Grilled Octopus from Byblos Miami!

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Byblos Miami had a saucy Ribeye that looked salivating at the Wine and Food Festival two weeks ago in Miami.

Check them out and check out their Signature Grilled Spanish Octopus!

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Grilled Spanish Octopus from Byblos Miami (Instagram Photo: @byblosmiami)

Suga wishes we could get that quality Octopus in Jamaica. Thankfully, Miami is not too far away.

Enjoy the weekend Suga Bears!

Byblos Miami Mediterranean Restaurant

Location: 1545 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139, USA

Ph: 305-508-5041

Website: http://www.byblosmiami.com

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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TGIF to Lobster Scampi from Jamaica Liquor Warehouse!

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Lobster Scampi in white wine sauce from Jamaica Liquor Warehouse

Suga’s Ratings for Jamaica Liquor Warehouse, Deli & Bar!

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★★★★★

Ambience: ★★★☆☆

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments: Modern décor. Consistently good food, service and drinks. Menu with variety and reasonable prices. The white wine sauce used on the pasta was divine. I appreciated that it wasn’t a heavy, creamy sauce. #SugaEndorsed

Jamaica Liquor Warehouse, Deli & Bar

Location: 17 Lindsay Crescent, Kingston

Ph: 876-925-9427

***Closed on Mondays***

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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