Date and time of visit: Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 9:20pm
No. of diners: 2 adults
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★☆☆
Décor: ★★☆☆☆
Comfort: ★★★☆☆
Service: ★★★☆☆
Speed: ★★★★☆
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★☆☆☆
Value for $: ★★★★☆
Suga’s Breakdown:
My husband and I were greeted by courteous staff. We had a 15-minute wait to be seated and it was observed that tables could have been cleared more quickly.
Food was served in reasonable time, which was excellent considering it was a full house. The serving size was more than adequate. Our Steaks were cooked to order (medium rare), well seasoned and grilled to perfection. My Chimichurri sauce tantalised my taste buds with spice. It was much preferred to my husband’s creamy sauce that did not have the flavour of Peppercorn. Best place to eat Steak in Kingston right now for a reasonable price. Best place in Jamaica? Marguerites Seafood by the Sea in Montego Bay!
Cocktails disappointed with no banana for my Hummingbird and no mint leaves for the Mojito. We also heard someone shout that there was no more steamed rice. Mega Mart is just up the road. No excuses.
Also, after so many years of going to this restaurant, I still have difficulty reading the menu and would appreciate more lighting while dining. String lights and perhaps uplighting from the garden and sides of the pool would suit their rustic-garden ambience.
Why is South Avenue Grill Buzzing with Diners?
It is no white glove service and plating is far from extravagant, but service is decent, food is in abundance on the plate, it tastes good and the price is right!
Our waiter, Kenyon was a bit nervous, but quite attentive and hospitable with a touch of humour. I would be happy to return and have him or one of the other pleasant waiters or waitresses serve my table.
My husband and I’s Succulent Steaks! #SugaEndorsed
8oz Fillet of Steak Churasso Style ($2600JMD+tx): 8oz fillet of Steak prepared South American style. Beef tenderloin marinated with South Avenue’s Chimichurri sauce recipe with red pepper flakes, oregano, olive oil, sea salt and parsley. Grilled and served with black beans, steamed vegetables and a side of your choice.8oz Fillet Mignon and Creamy Peppercorn sauce ($2450JMD+tx) 8oz Fillet Mignon lightly seasoned and grilled, topped with South Avenue’s Peppercorn and herb sauce served with steamed vegetables and a side of your choice.
*** Reservations Recommended ***
South Avenue Grill
Location: 20A South Ave, Kingston. JA. W.I.
Ph: 876.754.1380
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Randy Burgess and wife, Gabrielle a.k.a Suga from Suga Lifestyle by the Waterwheel at the front of the Sugar Mill Restaurant last Friday, May 4. The Waterwheel is the only surviving structure of the Running Gut Estate that was established in 1676.
Suga’s Ratings for Sugar Mill Restaurant
Date and time of visit: Friday, May 4, 2018 at 7:00pm
No. of diners: 2
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Décor: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★★
Food quality: ★★★★★
Serving amount: ★★★★★
Plating: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★★☆
SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★★
Comments: The Sugar Mill Restaurant lived up to its reputation for a high standard of service and food quality surrounded by the perfect ambience in an authentic, rustic garden setting. Seating at this fine-dining restaurant was spacious and sufficient, giving diners multiple options, including by the actual Waterwheel.
The menu is diverse, offering international cuisine with a Jamaican flair. Dishes arrived in a timely manner. The meats were cooked to perfection, well seasoned and complemented by other items for added, unique flavours. Well mixed drinks from the bar accompanied our dinner. Sugar Mill Restaurant is the perfect place to impress a date or to enjoy with family. #SugaEndorsed
Sugar Mill Restaurant has quite an assortment of breads with dips to tease the appetite, such as Cho cho with saltfish, a Blue Cheese dip and an Escoveitch dip. If you’re not careful, you will be left with very little space for your main or dessert.
My husband and I received a taste of Tuna with spicy aioli to start us off, compliments of the Chef.
Have a look at our other divine dishes!
Smoked Marlin ($19USD) – Filled with Crab meat and Shrimp, radish, roasted beets and pickled white onionsCrayfish Bisque ($15USD) with Breadfruit and Papaya seed crackersRack of Lamb – 14oz/400g ($52USD) with Tangelo Fruit Chutney and a side of Yam Risotto ($8.50USD)
How did their Lamb Chops surpass that of Terra Nova’s for Suga?
The satisfying serving size was similar, but slightly larger than Terra Nova’s Lamb chops. Both are well seasoned, tender cuts that are cooked how I like it, medium rare, but Sugar Mill gets the edge with its flavour and the crust that developed on top as it was cooked for the right amount of time, which made it perfection.
Terra Nova’s signature Mint and Pomegranate Au Jus that accompanies the Lamb Chops is savoury, but I didn’t mind the change with Sugar Mill’s tasty and juicy Tangelo Fruit Chutney. Sugar Mill gets the marginal win!
Veal Chop – 14oz/400g ($65USD) with jerk-herb butter and a side of sautéed Callaloo with garlic ($8.50USD)
My husband enjoyed this change in comparison to his usual cut of Beef Tenderloin. It was well seasoned and cooked to medium rare perfection. Since the veal is younger, it was a lighter, more tender meat that he appreciated.
We were too full for Dessert, so either the Chef felt like being generous to us or he knew Suga was in the house! We were given Sweet treats compliments of the Chef. Delish!
Dinner for two at the established, fine-dining Sugar Mill Restaurant can run a couple a bit over $200USD, but it is usually totally worth it. Prices quoted attracted an additional 10% G.C.T and 15% Service charge, however locals get 20% off the bill.
Kudos to the Chef and staff for an exquisite dinner and to our courteous waiter, Dexter Lloyd who provided exceptional service.
Sugar Mill Restaurant
Location: Spring Farm Drive. Half Moon, Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.
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.
Coquille de Mer – Medley of Seafood in a rich cream sauce with mushroom and cheeseConfit 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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Medium rare Steak cooked to order!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.
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:
Market 17 is known for local farm fare and their adventurous option of Dining in the Dark.
Their menu has a list of products supplied from farms that meet their standards and are available.
The Dining in the Dark Experience takes place in a special dark room. A Blindtasting menu is served after all food allergies, dietary restrictions and extreme dislikes are declared. The goal is to heighten the senses without the help of sight. The Blindtasting menu starts at $75USD per person, excluding Beverages and taxes).
All of my friends were not in agreement to do the Dining in the Dark Experience, so we decided to go with the main menu.
Two Saturday nights ago, my friends and I were out and ready to dine at 8:30pm. We were pleasantly greeted and seated at our reserved table for seven. Our waiter, Daniel was unforgettable. He reeled off the menu from his head, explaining our options and giving suggestions eloquently. He had a personality that definitely kept the mood light.
He took our orders when we were ready and the Appetizers and Drinks came out quickly. They have a wide selection of Wines, Craft Beers and a few listed Cocktails.
It was said that the Appetizers were shareable, however hints were given as to what we may not want to share.
The Crispy Miso Pork Belly was succulent, but the portion was small.
Rock Shrimp, Chicken, Ceviche, Meatballs and Salads were also available as Appetizers. However, their menu changes quite often and the Restaurant’s website is updated accordingly.
The Housemade Charcuterie served with Chutneys and Picklings usually stays on the menu. We made our own platter with our choices of Meats and Cheeses that was delightful.
Just when I started to wonder when our greatly anticipated Entrees were coming out, Daniel informed our table that our Entrees were coming forthwith! They surely did.
Tasting options were available for the Entrees at a reduced cost. When Daniel mentioned the pairing of Antelope Filet with Whole Key West Pink Shrimp at the start of Dinner, it created a ripple effect amongst the Suga Daddies*.
I definitely had to try it. The Grilled Antelope Filet, that was cooked medium rare, did not disappoint. It was tender and juicy with fresh farm to table greens, of which the Okra was a hit. The Whole Keywest Pink Shrimp that I tasted was delish! Sadly, the salt seemed to have gotten away from the Chef again on one of the Shrimp Tastings. This information was relayed to Daniel, who remedied the situation by removing it from the bill, since another serving was not desired at that time.
Tastings of Yellowfin Tuna (left) and Grilled Antelope Filet (right)
The Tasting portions definitely made up for the small portions of Appetizers. Imagine what the actual Entree portion may look like. Persons were satisfied by the end of the night, therefore since the small portions of Appetizers sufficed, perhaps the pricing could be reconsidered.
I paired my Tasting of Grilled Antelope Filet with Togorashi Seared Rare Yellowfin Tuna that was cooked medium rare. It was divine. Have you had Black Rice?! Phenomenal. It was refreshing to get such exquisite healthy options while dining out. Black rice has more micronutrients than Brown and White rice. Ancient Chinese mythology claims that Black rice was reserved solely for the Emperor and the Royal Family, due to its nutritional content and healing abilities. In those days, your life would be in danger if you were caught eating it without permission.
Togorashi Seared Rare Yellowfin Tuna $20/$37USD) – Coconut Black Rice, Tamarind, Cauliflower, Pak Choi, Tomatoes, Celery, Sesame, Clementine, Sambal
The Grilled Grassfed Beef Filet Mignon and Pan Roasted Chicken Breast did not spend much time on the table. They were thoroughly enjoyed.
The Pan Roasted Chicken Breast ($18/$33USD) was accompanied by Spiced Bulgur Wheat, Roasted Cauliflower, Squash, Pickled onion, Kale, Charred Eggplant Pudding and Marinated Tomatoes.
Dessert topped off the night for a few. Thankfully I did not indulge. Market 17’s strong points seem to be their Entrees and Beverage selections. The Vanilla Cake with Pastry cream was just up to typical standard.
Dessert Options range from $8 to $18 USD and included Cookies, Brownies, Parfaits, Ice Creams, Sorbets and a Cheese court.
Market 17 is a fine dining Restaurant to dress up and go to with excellent service, delish and unique Entree options, along with fine Beverages. Head to Market 17 and Eat like Royalty!
Gabby and one of her Suga Bears, Jehan Knight
*Suga Daddies – Men who think they are too manly to be called a Suga Bear (Foodie in association with Suga Lifestyle)
Market 17
***Reservations Recommended***
Location: 1850 Southeast 17th St. Fort Lauderdale, FL. USA
There is a new Bar in town that the uptowners of Kingston are raving about. Cellar 8 Wine Bar! Its location in Upper Manor Park where Training Camp used to be, is close to home for most of the persons who were quick to stop by last weekend.
Suga visited last Saturday evening with husband and friend and was delighted to see the tasteful, modern decor from ceiling to floor. There was comfortable seating downstairs and a lounge area upstairs.
Service was on point all around. If we followed our waitress, we would have tried everything on the menu and drank out the bar as well.
One of the teething pains for them though, is the Wine List, which probably should have been their priority seeing that they have named themselves a Wine Bar. Just about 6 Wines were listed on the menu with reasonable prices by the Glass ($700-$950JMD) and Bottle. However, there was an entire wall with Wines to choose from that you were encouraged to walk over to if you desired to do so. If persons were seated by the wall you would not want to invade their privacy or space though. They explained that this issue would be sorted out soon.
Spirits were offered by the cue. V/X for $1100JMD, Overproof for $1200JMD and Johnnie Walker for $1800JMD to give you an idea.
Cocktails were also on the menu such as Mojitos ($800JMD), the Classic Martini ($900JMD) and more.
Persons can go for dinner as well with dishes that pair well with Wines such as Lamb Chops ($2100JMD), Basa Fillet ($1700JMD), Steak ($2500JMD), Pastas ($1400-$1800JMD), Pizzas ($1000-$1200ZJMD) and on the lighter side, Salads ($1000-$1100).
A friend was not happy with her Basa Fillet, which was communicated to her waiter and the Manager. It was described as slippery and slimy, served in small bites with a lot of skin on it, all overpowered by the cream sauce. Apologies everything could not be sugar-coated folks.
The portion of Steak served to her other half was described as quite small for the cost.
With that aside, feedback from others was extremely positive. They not only salivated over the food but it was refreshing to have it come out so fast after ordering in a room full of people. I was very happy to experience and observe that and I hope they keep it up.
Of course, if you didn’t just go for just drinks or dinner, after a couple glasses you are ready to order some tasty bites. Their Signature dish, Oxtail Tacos screamed out at me from the menu and I had no regrets! Delish!
Oxtail Tacos ($1300JMD)
We also had the Chimichuri Angus Beef Sliders that was fantastic as well.
Chimichuri Angus Beef Sliders ($1200JMD)
Wedges, Wings, Mac and Cheese, Pork Sliders, Fine Roasted Thai Shrimp and more in the range of $450-$1700JMD were offered too.
The wide variety of options on the Menu were listed with the Prices subject to G.C.T.
A bar close to home is both a good and bad thing, but I think this one is here to stay. I will be returning for sure.
Word is, last Friday night was so full, everyone could not be seated. There was no need to worry though, because there was a lot of standing room. They enjoyed the vibe, their drinks and conversation. Most importantly, conversation. I was quite pleased that the music was low so I could have and enjoy a good conversation, which is lacking at many bars nowadays.
Cellar 8 Wine Bar was described as being ‘So New York!’.
Have fun checking this one out!
Cellar 8 Wine Bar
Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza
Ph: 876-613-5934
Opening Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 4pm-11pm
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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About 2 Saturdays ago, Suga faced the famous question from her other half, ‘Where should we go for lunch?’. After the usual pondering for a few minutes, I mentioned that House of Loaves was having a New York ‘Halal’ Cart-Style day at Active Home Centre. His response when he looked at the ad showing that their food ranged from $800-$1500JMD was, ‘No sah. 15 bills for food from a truck that sells in New York for $7.99US and we can still sit down and have something nice somewhere else for that price or less?!’ He suggested Café El Centro above Fromage on Hillcrest avenue where friends have been going and enjoying their food, so I agreed to go.
Smoked Pork Chops enjoyed by a Suga Bear yesterday at Café El Centro Photo credit: Tennyson Arnold
We arrived at about 3:30pm and we were greeted pleasantly and seated. I instantly felt cosy in the quiet, quaint atmosphere with vintage décor. I loved the use of wooden palettes for the ceiling, hanging lanterns, decorated wooden signs on the walls and wine glasses hanging from the palettes in part of the ceiling above a wine and pastry cooler. All of this was complemented by a calming colour scheme of browns, beiges and a pastel green.
There were a few diners and one of them was enjoying Pancakes and Eggs beside us because they serve American-style Breakfast all day!
My husband and I were discussing items on the menu which they seemed to have revised again including items for dinner as well. The menu had quite a range of items including Paninis, Sandwiches and Wraps, Pastas, Soup, Snapper Fillet and Shrimp dishes, Pork Chops and more. The prices quoted were tax inclusive as well.
The diner beside us overheard us trying to decide and since I mentioned that I felt for a Wrap, she said that their Chicken Roti Wrap was really good. So my husband ordered the Lamb Burger with fries, which you can get with a wheat bun ($1200JMD) and I ordered the Curried Chicken Roti Wrap with veggies on the side ($950JMD).
Our food arrived quickly and the manager, Tina Newman who took our order was very attentive. She was Professional but friendly at the same time. She gave my husband the option of having Mint jelly on the side, which she brought and I also ordered their homemade Lemonade ($300JMD) that was refreshing.
The Curried Chicken Roti Wrap was very tasty and did not kill me with pepper, it had just the right amount of spice that I enjoyed. I liked that the veggies were fresh as well.
The Lamb was tender and flavourful for the the Lamb Burger, the bun was fresh and it was appreciated that the meat filled the bun perfectly. Not many places get the meat and bun proportion right.
Even though we were sitting and chatting after our meal, our table was cleared quickly. The Chef came out and asked for our feedback, which was positive.
Tina came back over to our table and told us about their Steak night that they started on Fridays. Since Medusas is now closed, the same Chef Robin Rickhi does Steak night and I know his Steaks are succulent and he has a special marinated seasoning.
We were told they face the demand for Steak on other days so she said you can call in your order early if you wish to do so and the Chef there will whip it up for you, whether you are ordering steak or not.
The newlyweds had a delightful experience and we will return.
