Choosing the Right Wine for your Valentine
– Taken from the Jamaica Observer on February 13, 2014
See what wine enthusiast, Christopher Reckord has to say by checking the link below:-
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/Choosing-the-right-wine-for-your-Valentine_16003818
24 Seven Café
The revamped 24 Seven Café at The Jamaica Pegasus, as the name suggests is open all day and all night. Take-out service is available seven days a week too. The Café was newly relocated in the Pegasus last June and still has a buzz going.
After frequent visits to the Café, I can attest to the fact that it is never crowded but still has a steady flow of customers. Afterall, it has more space than average cafés in Kingston, so the logistics are perfect. 24 Seven overlooks the pool with modern decor and provides free wifi access upon request. It is thus considered a great place to have mini meetings or dates over coffee, lunch or with light pastries. Its central location is convenient for a late night snack as well.
At my most recent visit, I ordered a chicken wrap and a café latte. I really had a skinny latte because they were flexible enough to make it with skimmed milk as requested. I wasn’t as lucky with my whole wheat or whole grain request for the wrap, but that was fine. The service was excellent and the staff was knowledgeable about items on the menu, a true reflection of being well trained. Waiting time was reasonable and most importantly I was comfortable and enjoyed my spicy, well seasoned chicken wrap. The wrap consisted of Jerk chicken breast, sautéed vegetables and pepper jack cheese, a fairly healthy option for the health conscious individual. The cost may seem a bit pricy to some since it isn’t offered with any sides other than a small cole slaw (the unhealthy part), but its price is comparable to other cafés and the wrap is filling.
24 Seven provides a variety of options to choose from including salads, breakfast bagels, vegetable wraps, tuna wraps, paninis, pastries, warm and cold beverages, desserts and a small kids menu. I also found it interesting that you have the option of buying a mini wine bottle for a quick fix or ordering to dine, possibly sharing a glass with someone, which costs less than its neighbour, the Blend Bar. Ofcourse your expectations for variety and quality would be less, since you are limited to the options of merlot or chardonnay.
Patrons also have the comfort of ordering then walking around the property for a few minutes to come back, as well as eating and drinking before paying. After all, a single shot expresso may not be enough, you may have to ask for a double.
A service charge is usually added to your bill when dining, but after such a refreshing experience, its negligible and well deserved. Hats off to 24 Seven Café for keeping it fresh.
24 Seven Café at The Jamaica Pegasus
Ph#: 876-926-3690
Address: 81 Knutsford Blvd., Kingston 5
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Decor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★☆
Food quality: ★★★★☆
Serving amount: ★★★★☆
Plating: ★★★☆☆
Value for $: ★★★★☆
SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆
The Regency Bar and Lounge
Ph#: 876-926-2211
Address: Terra Nova All Suite Hotel, 17 Waterloo Rd., Kingston 10
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★☆
Ambience: ★★★★★
Decor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★☆☆
Service: ★★★★☆
Speed: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★★☆
SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆
Comments: The air conditioning is too cold for comfort prior to peak hours and a lot of drinks in your system. However, sitting outside is an alternative and the decor and ambience are fabulous. The bar, lounge and parking seem to get overcrowded after 10:30pm but that is expected with any new hot spot in town. There is a wide range of wines to choose from and top shelf liquor. I strongly recommend the Sunset Mojito that includes Johnnie Walker Black. Snacks are also given to patrons while drinking, which is most convenient.
Blend Bar and Lounge
Ph#: 876-926-3690
Address: The Jamaica Pegasus, 81 Knutsford Boulevard, Kgn. 5
NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum
Parking: ★★★★★
Ambience: ★★★★★
Decor: ★★★★★
Comfort: ★★★★★
Service: ★★★★★
Speed: ★★★★☆
Value for $: ★★★★★
SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆
Comments: Perfect bar and lounge for a mellow evening or night. Good environment for conversation and a business meeting. Music not loud.
Wine and Food Pairing
Scientific research suggests that certain wine and food pairings actually improve the lingering taste of food in your mouth.
As Christmas dinners draw near, get help choosing tasty wines that complement your favourite cuts of meat and seafood or which wines are just great to bring along to the party.
During Salut a few weeks ago, I was able to taste the wines BETCO Premier Ltd. had to offer, paired with an array of chicken, salmon bites, sausage and shrimp. BETCO poured at The Regency Bar & Lounge at The Terra Nova and Bin26 at Devon House.
Both events were a success but at Bin26, Best Dressed Foods Ltd. joined BETCO for the marketing opportunity and as food was pushed out quickly, the sequential order of pairing with the wines was mixed up. However, due to the exemplary culinary talents of Chef Celeste Gordon and her team coupled with continuous strikes of fine wine to the palate, the sequential order of wine pairing was overlooked by many of the guests.
Some of the pairings you could try are as follows:-
Red
â— Cupcake Merlot – poultry, red meat, pork, pastas, salads
Merlot is fairly versatile when it comes to food pairing, it can handle them all well!
â— Cupcake Pinot Noir – Jerk Sausage & blue cheese (Try making a nice crostini appetizer)
White
â— Cupcake Riesling – Spiced shrimp
â— Cupcake Chardonnay – Smoked salmon & caviar cream cheese
Celebratory and Modern Blends/Sparkling Wines for the dinner parties
â— Caposaldo Sweet Moscato
~ 1/2 the alcoholic content of most white wines; Enjoy with any fruit dessert
â— Cupcake Moscato D’Asti
Consists of hints of bright fruit flavours including peach, tropical fruits and lychee
â— Cupcake Red Velvet
Blended red wine; Combination of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Sirah