The New Kingston Rotary Club along with the Rotaract club they sponsor, New Kingston Rotaract Club are currently painting a Pedestrian crossing on one of the busiest roads in New Kingston, Jamaica.
I am sure it will be appreciated.
Both clubs are part of the non-profit organization, Rotary International. Good work Rotarians and Rotaractors!
Happy Labour Day Suga Bears! What’s your Labour Day Project? Have a productive day, whether at home or in the streets.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Chefs on Show will be this Friday at The Jamaica Pegasus. Tickets cost $6000JMD for you to experience the culinary talents of our very own Jamaican Chefs. Some Suga endorsed Chefs such as Mark Cole, Christian Sweeney and Jackie Tyson will be there too.
Get your tickets today!
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Happy Ash Wednesday and Happy Valentine’s Day Suga Bears!
Suga has shortlisted a few places for Dinner for the late or spontaneous planners that do not want to spend the day at home. These Restaurants have been chosen based on their Prices per Couple, Reputation in Quality of Food and Service, Ambience and of course, their advertised Menu options.
Mystic Thai ($6990 per couple incl. Tx)
Location: B11 – Fairview Towne Centre Unit, Montego Bay
Ph: 876-633-6535
The Palms at CC South Beach ($8625JMD per couple incl. Tx and Service Charge
Location: 2 Brompton Rd. Kgn. 5
Ph: 876-919-3700
Jamaica Liquor Warehouse ($9487.50JMD per couple incl. Tx & Service Charge)
Location:Â Â 17 Lindsay Crescent, Kingston
Ph: 876-925-9427
100 Hope Road ($11500JMD per couple incl. Tx & Service charge)
Location: 100 Hope Road. Kgn. 6
Ph: 876-665-3238
The Steak House on the Verandah ($12647.84JMD per couple incl. of Tx & Service Charge)
Location: Devon House, Waterloo Road. Kgn.
Ph: 876-616-8831/876-616-8833
The Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel ($17600JMD per couple incl. Tx & Service Charge)
Location:Â 17 Waterloo Road. Kgn. 10.
Ph:Â 876-926-2211; 876-926-9334
If you would like to really go all out, A la Carte Fine-dining at the Terra Nova may be the choice for you!
The Terra Nova is offering a Valentine’s Day Dinner with two options, Poolside Buffet dining and A la Carte Fine-dining by The Terrace. The Buffet option is slightly less per couple, but I prefer and recommend dining that is less public with less forced interaction and the temperature and quality of food A la Carte is usually better. Jazz after Dark will follow too! Give them a call for more information and to make reservations.
If you would like to pamper your loved one or even treat yourself, this Spa option is Suga’s #1 Recommendation:
 The White Orchid Spa at The Jamaica Pegasus!
Location: The Jamaica Pegasus at 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kgn 5.
Ph: 876-926-3690
Enjoy!
~ With Love from Suga ~
Suga a.k.a Gabby with husband, Randy Burgess, enjoying Valentine’s Day Brunch hosted by Simo’s Bread and Catering (Christina Simonitsch) and Tooksie Kay Catering (Alexa Von Strolley) on Sunday, February 11 at Kayter on 18 Balleter Avenue.
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Crispy Pig Ears by Executive Chef, Mark Cole at The Jamaica Pegasus
Have you ever had Pig Ears? If you were at the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival’s event, Crisp, in November 2017, you would have had the pleasure of tasting crispy Pig Ears from two Suga Endorsed Chefs! – Chef Christina Simonitsch of Simo’s Bread and Catering and Executive Chef Mark Cole of The Jamaica Pegasus, who cooked divine dishes for President Barack Obama, Prince Harry and Princess Ann. They put on quite a display.
Last December I tasted long cuts of Crispy Pig Ears (hair removed of course) prepared by Chef Cole at The Jamaica Pegasus.
I loved it! It tasted like a cross between Calamari and Squid.
The entire Pig Ear was used, so all of it was not crispy. My friends were not fans of the outer ear’s gelatinous texture, which they called the ‘gooey’ and ‘rubbery’ part. However, the cartilage in the center that is crunchy and tasted crispy to us, was their favourite. I liked all of it.
Pig Ears aren’t that popular to be a part of the Menu at The Jamaica Pegasus yet, but I am happy I had the experience of tasting it.
I can see Crispy Pig Ears as an Appetizer or Side dish that goes well with Beer.
Pig Ears can be eaten warm or cold and are cooked in various ways all over the world, often served with a lemon, soy sauce or even vinegar when pickled. They are usually Boiled first, then Grilled, Stewed, Roasted, Pickled, Smoked, Baked or Deep Fried.
The Bulgarian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, American, Lithuanian, Filipino and Vietnamese often offer Pig Ear dishes as part of their Cuisines.
I challenge Best Ethnic Restaurant of 2017 and one of my faves, Mystic Thai in Montego Bay to offer a dish with Pig Ears on the menu! Suga will be in Montego Bay soon. 😊
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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With all the Showers of Blessing Jamaica has received in the past few months, perhaps we have a lot to be thankful for.
Quite a few places will be offering Thanksgiving Dinner, which is slowly becoming a part of our culture.
Suga recommends Thanksgiving at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus, where service, quality and variety are at a high standard for an affordable price. They will be offering Thanksgiving Lunch tomorrow at a cost $1700JMD per person and Thanksgiving Dinner at a cost of $2500JMD excluding tax and service charge.
The Carving station looks like it will be a hit! Check the menu out below. Reservations are recommended.
Thanksgiving Dinner Menu at The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus N.B. The Lunch Menu will have different Soups and will not have the Steamed Fish or Beef.
Enjoy!
The Blue Window Restaurant, Jamaica Pegasus
***Reservations recommended***
Location: 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5
Ph: 876-926-3690 – 5
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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Suga brought you the low down for Crisp at The Gardens, Jamaica Pegasus ($5000 All Inclusive) and Picante ($7500 All Inclusive) at The Ruins, UWI Mona’s Visitor’s Lodge, so how were the other JFDF events? Suga Bears and Suga Daddies reported!
Most persons like to get bad news out of the way first. The events with the highest price tags were not that impressive for some patrons. That is, Vintage for $12000JMD all-inclusive and Brunch at the Gallery for $20000JMD/$150USD all-inclusive.
VintageÂ
Meals at Vintage at the Manor in Jack’s Hill were described as basic and a low standard for Ortanique on the Mile, one of the restaurants in Florida that was represented by Owner Cynthia Hutson. Suga Bears enjoyed the view and Dessert though.
Brunch at the Gallery
Brunch at the National Gallery, Downtown Kingston presented by Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau was decorated beautifully by Tai Flora and had a sufficient selection of Wines by Select Brands, but the service of food was slow and it arrived to tables cold. The Brunch was from 11am to 4pm and after a long day, patrons were leaving at 4pm and Dessert was just being served. Should the blame go on the Event Planner, the Chefs or both? It was stated that the execution was poor.
The Menu
The Menu for Brunch at the Gallery (Photo Contributed)
The Presentation of some of the meals were also quite sloppy to say the least.
Vegetables and Greens served at Brunch at the Gallery last Sunday (Photo Contributed)
Did the Incredible Hulk have an accident here?! I was in disbelief and gathered that this was the consensus amongst most tables. This looked nothing like the neatly displayed dish on the Event’s social media page. Cold food, slow service and poor, unappetizing presentation is unacceptable for $20,000JMD. I believe things can be shaken up next year. There are so many other talented, efficient Chefs around and I understand the ambience of The National Gallery, but a change in venue could be considered as well.
Chargrilled Rack of Lamb Presented to a table at Brunch at the Gallery last Sunday (Photo Contributed)
Kudus to award-winning baker, Nadine Burie that probably saved both events. Her desserts are offered at Cafe Blue.
Fresh Fruit Pavlova by Nadine Burie (Photo Credit: @jafoodanddrink)
Setting bad news aside, persons fully enjoyed Meet Street and the Market in Downtown, Kingston ($500JMD entry) last Saturday. A patron said she did not know that Downtown could be so nice. The set up and atmosphere was phenomenal and the vendors outdid themselves.
Vendors that pleased at Meet Street and the Market Last Saturday in Downtown, Kingston
Pork Palooza ($6500JMD All Inclusive) at Palm Drive, Hope Gardens that kicked things off for the festival on the Saturday the week before was a hit. The event is usually the favourite for Patrons. Jamaicans love their Pork! It wasn’t the unanimous favourite this year though.
Which event took JFDF 2017?!
Close call! It has been narrowed down to the new event, Chop Stix ($5000JMD All Inclusive) held at Zen Lawn, Hope Zoo last Wednesday that featured fare from the far East and the zesty, Picante!
Based on Food, Weather and Vibe, Chop Stix gets the edge. Picante had the on and off rain, which was uncontrollable with provisions put in place, but Jamaicans love a new event.
The Chefs, Caterers and Restaurants delivered at Chop Stix! Here was the Menu if you missed it. Chop Stix can’t be missed next year!
So what’s next for my Foodies? Restaurant Week!
Yes, I know Restaurant Week has lost its steam. Marketing has been ongoing but should be revised, including the selection of Ambassadors. JFDF being so close to Restaurant Week definitely overshadowed it.
Menus for Restaurants are more of the same, but it makes your choices that much easier. The good ones will pop out at you. So that means you may need to make reservations quickly or maybe not, because places I called yesterday that are normally booked out weeks in advance seemed to have quite a bit of space left.
For now, I am leaving you with my recommendations for the Epicurean and Delectable Categories. Here you go!
Epicurean ($4300 +tax +gratuity +beverages)
> The Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston.
Despite inconsistencies in service and quality throughout the year, they have managed to keep a good reputation for Restaurant Week so far.
Sidenote: I do not think any Restaurant in Market Place should be placed in the Epicurean Category. The venue is far too casual and a long wait is usually expected.
Out of town? Marguerites by the Sea, Montego Bay. You should expect a spectacular dinner and service with a seaside or picturesque garden view.
There are some other reputable Restaurants listed, but the lack of creativity with their Menus were the deal breakers.
Delectable ($3800JMD +GCT +gratuity +beverages)
> Fromage Bistro on Hillcrest Avenue in Kingston.
Nirvanna Indian Cuisine, Centro-Courtyard by the Marriott and Black Orchid Restaurant at Eden Gardens would be secondary choices.
In the other city? Both options from Mobay are primary choices – Mystic Thai and The Houseboat Grill. So persons can choose between the two based on the Cuisine desired.
***Stay tuned for more Restaurant Week choices from Suga Lifestyle.***
By: Gabrielle Burgess
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