TGIF! Cheers to Fine Dining at Couples Tower Isle!

Suga at Bayside Restaurant at Couples Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica during Easter Weekend 2022

Eight Rivers! We’re back again and will keep returning. Superb service from Shenara last Easter weekend. Eight Rivers took us through a fine dining experience with Sorbet palate cleansers in between courses.

Everything was perfection, except for dessert, but no complaints here.

Watch “Cheers to Fine Dining at Couples Tower Isle!” on YouTube here:

https://youtube.com/shorts/gguPE0j7pNA?feature=share

We started off with a Seafood Tasting, Coconut & Herb Crusted Crab Cakes, Jerk rubbed Beef Carpaccio with pickled Beets, crumbled feta and more, hand poured Thyme roasted Shrimp Bisque with Sherry, followed up by a succulent cut of Cracked Black Pepper Crusted Beef Fillet Mignon and then dessert!

Another night we headed over to Bayside! Authentic Asian cuisine at its best and spiciest!

We were introduced to Bayside with a tasting platter of Thai fried Butterfly Shrimps, Garlic & Honey Chicken Skewers, Spring and Summer Rolls and Korean Cabbage Cakes accentuated by amazing dipping sauces – peanut, sweet chili and sriracha honey!

Then what better starter than the flavour that defines Thailand! Thai Tom Yam Goong Hot and Sour Soup with Shrimp, Chicken and Veggies. Yum! We also had the tasty Indonesian Rice Noodle Salad.

We tried almost everything from Thai Green Curry Beef, Manchurian Chicken, Chinese stir-fry Shrimps to Red Curry Pan-seared Snapper Fillet. Thick, rich, spicy, authentic curries paired well with the fresh seafood and meats and veggies to cool off the tastebuds.

Then the night was complete with tasty Coconut Cake made with a Green Tea Custard and candied orange sauce!
Fantastic experience for Couples. As quoted in the Eight Rivers menu, ‘There is no sincerer love than the love of food – George Bernard Shaw’

Gabby and Randy Burgess, Owners of Suga Lifestyle at Couples Tower Isle, St. Mary, Jamaica

By: Gabrielle Burgess (Founder/Owner, Suga Lifestyle)

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

A Sentimental Visit to the Relocated Summerhouse where Hubby Proposed

Suga’s Ratings for Summerhouse
Date and time of visit: Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 2:30pm
No. of diners: 4.5
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★★
Value for $: ★★★★★

Suga’s Breakdown

It’s always a pleasure to visit Harmony Hall, that dates backs to the 19th century, now the home of Summerhouse.

Exquisite outdoor dining with superior service and delectable courses that I enjoyed with my husband, Randy, friends and Suga Tasters, Ashleigh and Tennyson Arnold and Suga Baby, Blaire Arnold.

Suga Tasters, Ashleigh and Tennyson Arnold with Suga Baby, Blaire Arnold.

I could almost say our culinary experience was excellent from start to finish, but with fair warning, disappointing Dessert loomed the air. Bread Pudding is usually a common, highly anticipated request by us Jamaicans, where the calories are worth it. When ordered with a side of their dairy-free ice cream, the ice cream didn’t help it. It was dry and left unfinished. The other Dessert options weren’t satisfying either and sometimes this may leave a lasting impression, but definitely not this time. It’s early days, with many naturally talented bakers emerging during Covid. They should be able to find a superb Pastry Chef.

The Appetizers and Starch dishes were large enough to share, the Coal-Fired Proteins were divine and we had a few Cocktails. The Strawberry Bellini was on point👌🏾. Executive Chef Dennis McIntosh paid us a visit for feedback and he was lauded.

Gabrielle Burgess a.k.a Suga of Suga Lifestyle with Strawberry Bellini in hand at Summerhouse last Saturday, May 22, 2021.

We enjoyed scrumptious Saltfish Fritters with a spicy dipping sauce, mouth-watering cheesy Callaloo dip with Crostini, Curried Ackee Wontons, juicy Local Beef Tenderloin cooked as ordered, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, tasty Orzo, mixed Mushrooms, savory Fresh Grouper, delish Ripe Plantain Gratin and one of specials of the day, Grilled Tuna with a heavenly lemon & cilantro butter. Feast your eyes.

Quite a delightful experience and currently considered one of the Best places to Brunch on a Sunday. Kudos to Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau, Jamaican sisters who have found a new home, where it’s always Summer, providing us with the pleasure of embracing modern, heritage dining with a side of fresh, Caribbean Sea breeze.

Summerhouse

Location: Harmony Hall, St. Mary.

Reservations: 876-603-3777; 876-858-0031

Instagram: @summerhouseja

Website (Including Menus): www.summerhouseja.com/

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.

#tbt to this Grouper from Summerhouse that’s now by Harmony Hall, St. Mary!

[📸: Suga Baby, Tricia-Gaye O’Connor]

#tbt to this Grouper from Summerhouse that’s now by Harmony Hall, St. Mary!

I’ve been getting rave reviews from my Suga Bears and Suga Babies about the relocated Summerhouse (Instagram: @summerhouseja) from The Liguanea Club to Harmony Hall, St. Mary, Ocho Rios. Can’t wait to visit!

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.

The Best ‘Likkle’ Reminders to Carry Around

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Big up Likkle Tingz Matta, pun intended! 

Suga’s car keyrings had fallen apart around the time of her Birthday and a new, unique one was needed. I checked a few stores, including Fontana at first, but still couldn’t find anything that reflected who I was or would motivate me each day. I then stumbled upon ‘@likkle.tingz.matta’ on instagram via another local artisan’s page. I was like, ‘Perfect! Look at that, there is a small, local Jamaican company that customizes the cutest, little keyrings’.

I contacted owner, Shenora Graham who operates from St. Mary and she responded right away. We had a discussion about customizing the keyring that would be right for me and there were a few hiccups along the way, but the end result was Shenora doing her best to ensure that I was extremely happy and thankful for carrying around with me everyday, the ‘Likkle Tings Dat Matta’. Two of my favourite quotes, ‘Do what you love, Love what you do’ and ‘Find Joy in the Journey. She had quite a selection to choose from, along with your choice of tassels and a colour schemed portion to put whatever you want. It was affordable too! Just $1700JMD including delivery to Kingston by Jamaica Post’s Zip Mail. Note that it is hassle-free and less expensive to pick up your mail by The Liguanea Post Office Mall Suga Bears.

I absolutely adore my new, customized keyring. Thank you Likkle Tingz Matta!

Support Local and Show Small Businesses Love

XoXo,
Suga 💖

Likkle Tings Matta

Ph/Whatsapp: 876-545-9415

Instagram: @likkle.tingz.matta

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.

One One Cacao Chocolates at GW Art’s Exhibition this Saturday!

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ONE ONE CACAO will be at GW Art’s Exhibition this Saturday at The Jamaica Pegasus in the Rio Bueno Suite from 5pm to 10pm!
Nick Davis, founder of One One Cacao just recently pushed Jamaican Chocolate well beyond its shores. One One Cacao was featured as one of the international makers in a new book on the global craft chocolate scene, Cacao Source.
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What to possibly expect this Saturday?
Bean to Bar Dark Chocolate bars and some cookies, single origin from St. Catherine and Clarendon where you may be asked to Taste the difference!
Come check out One One Cacao this Saturday while you view and shop GW Art’s Collection!
BUT FIRST,
Get to know more about Nick Davis and One One Cacao in an excerpt from Suga Lifestyle’s Article published earlier this June, How Much Do You Know About Jamaican Chocolatiers?! | Suga Lifestyle:

How Much Do You Know About Jamaican Chocolatiers?!

One One Cacao

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Nick Davis of One One Cacao at his Chocolate Factory in St. Mary. (Photo: http://www.asksheil.com)

• Founder: Nick Davis
• BBC Caribbean’s correspondent
• Currently working on Production of Coffee in addition to his Chocolate Bars
• Factory in St. Mary overlooks the sea
• Started making Chocolate after he got a mystery illness, where he could no longer eat foods with preservatives
• He never thought he could give up Cadbury Dairy Milk, but when he decided to make his own Chocolate, he told Suga it was the best he has ever had. The need for sweet preservatives or artificial flavours was replaced by an appreciation for rich, strong, Dark Chocolate.

• Persons who make the switch to Dark Chocolate from Milk Chocolate with artificial flavours may find it bitter, but once you keep having it, you will love and appreciate the richness of Dark Chocolate like myself and Nick.

Fun Fact:
Without getting access to Likkle More Chocolate, the majority of Suga tasters voted One One Cacao as the richest Dark Chocolate in Jamaica, May 25, 2019.

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Photo: http://www.asksheil.com

• Nick Davis wants Jamaican Chocolate to go global and be recognised as much as Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, because we have some of the world’s finest Cocoa.
• Nick helps local Cocoa farmers by paying them a decent price.
• His Chocolate is 70% Cocoa
• Cane juice is used to sweeten the rest

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Come see One One Cacao and support local this Saturday!

Outland Hurders Creamery and Farmstead with Jamaican made cheeses as well as Chorlavi’s with Homemade Pepper Jellies and Jams will be there too!

Buy Jamaican. Build Jamaica.

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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

Lion Fish from Island Post's Golden Eye at the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

TGIF to Lion Fish from GoldenEye!

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Lion Fish from Island Outpost’s GoldenEye Resort at the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards on Thursday, May 31, 2018.

The taste and texture of the Lion Fish from Island Outpost’s GoldenEye Resort (Oracabessa, St. Mary) at the Table Talk Jamaica Observer Food Awards was perfection! Kudos to their new resident Chef, Tim Kensett.

Enjoy the Weekend!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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