Suga visits Toscanini’s former Chef at PG’s Restaurant & Wine Bar along Tower Isle!

After 20 years of loyal patronage by locals and overseas visitors, Harmony Hall was sold and Toscanini closed.

Toscanini’s Chef, Pierluigi Ricci, nicknamed PG, opened PG’s Restaurant & Wine Bar along Tower Isle in October of last year.

He was happy to find the space, which he continues to make his own. Suga missed out on her trip to Rome this year, but you don’t have to go to Rome to experience the vintage ambience PG has created.

PG’s menu is based on what’s available at sea or is farm to table, accompanied by an extensive Wine List.

The dishes served continue to be high quality, authentic Italian dishes. Their fresh homemade Pasta is one of the best on the island and along with Simos Bread and Catering, so is their Tiramisu.

For Independence Day Weekend two Fridays ago, Suga dined with family, a party of 4. See some of what we enjoyed here!

Escargot Bourguignon
Mozzarella Caprese Salad
Pappardelle Promodoro with grilled Shrimp (Shaved parmesan cheese & Tomato sauce)
Fresh catch of the day, Mahi-Mahi.
Tiramisu

We had Escargot Bourguignon, fresh Mozzarella Caprese Salad, Pappardelle Boscaiola (Bacon & fresh mushroom in a cream & tomato sauce), Pappardelle Promodoro with grilled Shrimp (Shaved parmesan cheese & rucola pesto) although they were out of Pesto so I received tomato sauce instead, Smoked Pork Chop in an apple cider sauce that was juicy to the bone and the fresh catch of the day, Mahi-Mahi.

Definitely value for money and worth the drive for Lunch one weekend if coming from Kingston. Pizza nights and rooftop dining may be on the horizon too.

PG’s Restaurant and Wine Bar

Location: Tower Isle, Ocho Rios. Jamaica

Ph: 876-727-4386

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

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Lunch Specials are Happening at Hajarie, Phoenix Avenue!

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Hajarie has an ongoing Lunch Special from 12 – 3pm. Take advantage and get your Lunch Special to go for $700JMD or get 20% off select Pastas.

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You can even top your meal off with Dessert. They are offering 50% off their house special Ice Cream.

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Go get these delish Lunch Specials while you can!

Hajarie (The Teapot JA) – Tearoom • Winebar • Bistro

Location: 9-11 Phoenix Avenue. Kingston 10

Ph: 876-634-9937

Instagram: @hajarie.jamaica

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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Suga has Eyes on Cellar 8’s NEW Deck!

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Photo: Cellar 8

After being open for just a short period of time, the nightly hot spot in upper Manor Park, Cellar 8, now offers Saturday and Sunday Brunch and has outgrown its space. Who knew they could create more?!

Suga checked out their new, well furnished deck last Easter Sunday and will return on a day when the Wine Bar and Bistro is buzzing.

Stay tuned for their updated review!

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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NEW Wine Bar in Ochi by Miss T’s Kitchen!

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Miss T happily cuts the ribbon to officially open ‘Di Wine Yaad’ (Instagram Photo: @misstskitchen)

Two Sundays ago, February 25, 2018, Anna-Kay Tomlinson, familiarly known as Miss T, officially opened ‘Di Wine Yaad’ on the same compound as her authentic Jamaican cuisine restaurant, Miss T’s Kitchen.

Suga and hubby, Randy passed by last Sunday at about 3:30pm to check out the new spot. I was greeted by cosy rocking chairs on the verandah, perfect for kicking back and sipping some vino.

Inside is cosy as well. I loved the décor. It was a tasteful cross between rustic and boho-chic.

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The server inside was professional, but not hospitable. She answered questions abruptly and did not enquire about our wine preference in order to inform us about what was available for our preferred palate.

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Wine is only available by the bottle for the time being and the Menu is currently in the making. Of course, Oxtail should be included. Miss T has the reputation for having the best Oxtail on the island, although Crystal Edge in Irish Town by Cafe Blue is stiff competition.

Di Wine Yaad already has an Instagram page with a teaser of Crispy Wonton Oxtail and Goat Cheese Ravioli that might be offered to pair with wine in the near future.

I will revisit when the Menu is ready! In the mean time, I just ordered the Oxtail Mania Appetizer from Miss T’s Kitchen to munch on before heading back to town. I wasn’t hungry, but was repeatedly warned about its small serving size by the staff. It was indeed small, but did not disappoint. Flavourful, well textured and seasoned Oxtail as usual.

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Boneless Oxtail on Cocoa Bread – $1098JMD incl. tax

 

Miss T’s Kitchen; Miss T’s Wine Yaad

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Location: 65 Main Street, Ocho Rios. St. Ann. Jamaica

Ph: 876-795-0099

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @misstskitchen;@diwineyaad

 

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TGIF! Pizza from Cellar 8!

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Cellar 8’s Greek Pizza – kalamata olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, mozzarella, basil and pesto sauce (Vegan option available)

The Pizzas at Cellar 8 are great with or without a few drinks. I enjoyed my Greek pizza two weeks ago and Suga bears rave over their Down South pizza as well.

The Down South pizza has sweet, tangy South Carolina sauce with ham, sugar, cured bacon, caramelized onion and sharp cheddar.

Enjoy some delish appetizers and entrées this weekend accompanied by a few drinks at Cellar 8! #sugaendorsed

Cellar 8 Wine Bar

Location: Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza

Ph: 876-613-5934

Opening Hours: Tuesdays-Sundays, 4pm-11pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this blog, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Cheers to Wine With Me in Negril!

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Date and Time of Visit: 29/4/17 @10:30pm

I went to Wine With Me in Negril by the Beachcomber Hotel about 3 weekends ago for some vino.

I liked to visit when it ran its course in Montego Bay, so I was happy to hear a few months ago that it reopened.

My husband and I had checked it out early on the Saturday night, but they only offered light plates of food. We decided to have dinner up the road and promised the extremely polite hostess that we would return later that night. I didn’t get her name, but she was the reason we made a special effort to return at 10:30pm before their closing hour.

Since we were coming from one of the few Restaurants you could dress up and go to in the Capital of Casual, I was quite pleased that I could go straight to Wine With Me feeling comfortable, looking Cocktail chic.

It was a cosy environment, furnished with modern décor and lighting.

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All the persons that were having drinks earlier left, so we got all the attention to ourselves from the waitress. I can see they are likely to have good service regardless of the fact though.

The Chef got wind of why we had left earlier. He made us aware that he is the same Chef from the one that was in Montego Bay and that they are looking to expand the menu to include heavier dishes similar to what they had before such as Lamb chops, Fish etc.

They had a wide selection of Wines. Of course, a limited selection if you chose to have it by the glass. A glass of Wine costed about $7/$8USD +tx. With regards to prices for the Wine and Small Bites, they are fairly comparable to other local Wine Bars but transportation and other costs are taken into consideration. In order to offer the finest selection of Wines and artisan and gourmet Cheese in the small town of Negril, they are brought in all the way from Kingston. Prices are also quoted in US dollars, as most places in Negril due to the fluctuation of the dollar.

We enjoyed our vino and cigars on the outside terrace and we look forward to returning when they have expanded their menu and to also check out their Charcuterie platters.

Wine With Me is Suga Endorsed for a classy, cosy and intimate spot for drinks and small bites on the busy Negril Strip.

Wine With Me

Location: Norman Manley Boulevard, Rutland Point. Negril, JA

Ph: 876-340-2108

Opening hours: 6pm-11pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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The Oak Wine Bar on Hillcrest!


Two Fridays ago, Suga and one of the girls went to the fairly new Oak Wine Bar and Cocktail Lounge owned by Lisa-Gaye and Kirk Chin who also own Fromage.

With Fromage just below and El Centro beside it, parking may not always be available inside.

We entered the new hot spot at about 9:30pm, were greeted nicely and felt relieved to instantly get a table for 2 inside. They not only had a wide range of Wines, but Cocktails as well. I liked that if you were just a party of two with different tastes in wine, there were enough options to choose from by the glass. I prefer Chardonnays and Rieslings. There were no Rieslings by the glass so I had a Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay and my gal pal had a glass of Rosé instead of her preferred Moscato. Wine by the glass was mostly $800JMD/glass.

After a few glasses, when the ‘munchies’ kick in, Oak has some delicious, affordable bites such as Firecracker Spring rolls, Crispy Chicken sliders, Calamari and more. We shared the Smoked Marlin Ceviche along with Pita Crisps and Lemon Aioli ($950JMD).

Their Charcuterie Board with cured meats, olives, Danish blue etc. looked delish though and I am looking forward to trying it next time.

Our waiter’s name who kept slipping us with each sip was awesome. He was courteous with quite a sense of appropriate humour. I believe his name was ‘Dimel’, if not we already told him we would just call him ‘D’. Loved his bow tie and their modernised yet effective way of taking orders and seeing which wines etc. were available on their tablet.

Cheers 🙂

Oak Wine Bar & Cocktail Lounge
Unit #5, 8 Hillcrest Avenue. 
Kingston 6, Jamaica

Email: [email protected]

OPENING HOURS:

Tuesdays – Thursdays: 4pm-12am

Fridays & Saturdays: 4pm-2am