KRW 2008... MY REVIEW!

Dear blog readers,

I am finally here with my KRW 2008 review.

I wish I would have had more time to enjoy this fantastic idea out of Stephanie Scott’s bag, which makes me reflect upon the fact that just ONE week is not enough.

KRW’s should be extended to at least two weeks. I selected my picks and decided to devote my WEEK to visit them all, but I could not reach my goal. Between my work obligations and meetings my selection was narrowed down to only 4 out of 6 of my original list.

Notwithstanding, I enjoyed my KWR 2008 experience: general good ambiance, good media coverage (although a little bit rushed at the very last minute), good selection of restaurants, excellent menus and lovely people.

This is why I say it should be extended!

I started with MAC’s. It was a fantastic experience and this is the top restaurant in service. You can really feel that the high level concept is well spread all over this venue. The ambiance is set for you to be well served during all your dining experience and it is visible that there is somebody taking good care of this business.

My choices from their menu were delicious: escargots, shrimp and a pavlova for dessert. I really recommend this place for any special occasion that you have in mind, since the service matches the taste of the dishes.

I have been there before and I have to say the taste is constant, which really says a lot about quality… but, speaking of the latter, I got sick from my escargots! I could not believe the perverse effect of those little creatures on my stomach.

I really spent an awful night after being there!

I do not want to say that this is the rule if you visit MAC’s and I still love the flavour of their food and the concept of the restaurant, but something went wrong with my escargots and this is something that must be taken into account by the owner.

I will keep visiting MAC’s… I know this is an unusual accident.

And when you go, try their PAVLOVA… it is really a heavenly dessert!

Once I felt better, I decided to go PALM COURT. This is the latest idea of the HILTON family. It’s a buffet restaurant that is located above the lobby. Their menu sounded delicious… it really did, but it did not reflect the taste.

I did not enjoy any of my menu choices there. Flavour and grace were to be found on their dishes, which is really unfortunate because they are doing their best.

Ambiance was good and servers were extremely helpful and up to par. I am going to give it another try during lunch, because it seems to be a nice and not-too-expensive restaurant choice in the busy New Kingston.

After the disappointing visit to PALM COURT, my next restaurant was the relaxed BIRD’S NEST. I was surprised. I selected this out of curiosity because their menu was not really attractive, but I wanted to see how they prepared for this week. I mean, you always dress well when you are invited to a party.

Nice flavour, expected fair food quality and nice servers!

This unpretentious place really won me over with their escoveitched, their curry goat and their chocolate cake! Good job and thumbs up for the people of BIRD’S.

My last restaurant selection was the complex MELTING POT. I was really overwhelmed by their menu, which, in my opinion, was the most colourful of this edition of KRW.

I enjoyed their presentation and their effort. And I will certainly go back… this was a “mouth opener” for me!

I tried their pumpkin and gnocchi soup, their rasta ravioli and their delicious trio brulee… FANTASTIC!

Had I pick a winner among my restaurant choices, I would give the GOLD MEDAL to the MELTING POT.

Nice service and very well thought and intelligent menu, good ambiance… they were really a pleasant surprise and the best way to sell a concept!

So, my dear blog readers, here they are! This was my experience. What about yours? I heard many of my friends talking about different places: SUSIE’S, COLUMBUS and even GLORIA’S. This week for me was an enormous success and it certainly was the talk of the town.

Hats off to the organizers and the person behind this idea… excellent promotion for the participating restaurant and sponsors…. and a beautiful opportunity for us FOOD LOVERS to enjoy Kingston’s culinary scene at its best!

Keep on eating!

DIM SUM disaster!

I feel kind of obliged to write this review.

Following the recommendation of a group of friends, I went to Dragon Court to try their DIM SUM, which means "heart's delight" and includes a variety of snacks such as steamed dumplings, shrimp balls, pastries, and spring rolls.

The place was packed and it was evident that the end of the service of DIM SUM was approaching. Even the Prime Minister was there! Sometimes the amount of people is a good thermometer to see if a place is good or not.

Well, let me say that this was not the case.

DIM SUM was good: spring rolls, buns of all sorts and steamed and fried dumplings. However, the service was really BAD and SLOW. We were served the first order and drinks arrived when we had already finished eating.

We decided to order some more food, but it was so disorganized that they brought us the same items we ordered first.

The food was good, but we were desirous of trying different items from their menu. Well no… they had already decided for us.

This was my first time there and I do not know if I want to come back. I don’t know if this chaos was caused by the presence of the PM or if it is their regular atmosphere.

Dragon Court should be more respectful of their clientele and pay more attention to the service they offer. It cannot be just a matter of numbers and pieces of papers where their slow servers take the orders; they should have a system and more efficient servers.

We, as clients, we want to enjoy our food and the experience that comes with it. CONFUSING is not the key to this experience!

So, my dear blog readers, DIM SUM at Dragon Court is not at all the synonym of a calm and peaceful SUNDAY.

Keep on eating!

KWR 2008 kicks off this Sunday November 8, 2008!

Hi blog readers!

I am ready for some food action after a short 3-week break. I'll be reviewing my picks for KRW 2008:

MAC's

Columbus Restaurant & Palm Court

Melting Pot & Waterfalls

The Bird's Nest

Eat out and enjoy Kingston Restaurant Week 2008, which starts this Sunday.

Do not miss the opportunity!

Check their website and make your choice... if you still find some places available!


This is truly the culinary EVENT of the year.


http://www.go-jamaica.com/krw/


So, my readers, keep on eating!

KWR 2008! Here we go again!

It’s this time of the year again!

Under the theme: 'Eat. Drink. Savour the City', Kingston Restaurant Week 2008 will run from November 8-15. Customers can begin to make reservations NOW.

This annual restaurant “rendez-vous” includes the participation of 35 restaurants that will be offering “prix fixe” dinner menus at 30 per cent off their usual cost.

This dinner includes a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert. Bear in mind that beverages, GCT and gratuity are additional.

The classification of the participating restaurants falls into different categories:

Epicurean: $3,500
Mac's Chop House
Regency Room - Terra Nova

Delectable: $3,000
Café Aubergine
Columbus Restaurant - Jamaica Pegasus
East Japanese Restaurant
Palm Court - Hilton
Jewel of India
Norma's on the Terrace
Red Bones Blues Café
Strawberry Hill
Susie's Bakery & Coffee Bar

Savory: $1,600
Acropolis Gaming & Entertainment Centre
Carlos Café
China Express
Cuddy'z
Dragon City Restaurant
Gimbilyn Restaurant - Alhambra Inn
Grog Shoppe
Guilt Trip
Habibi Latino
Hotel Four Seasons
Kabana Restaurant & Garden Bar
Melting Pot - Knutsford Court Hotel Morgan's Harbour Hotel & Marina
Prendy's on the Beach
Restaurant Cocoro
Rib Kage Bar & Grill
TGI Friday's
Waterfalls
Whitebones Seafood Restaurant

Tasty: $1,350
Bamboo Village
Gloria's - Port Royal
Shang Hai Restaurant
Starapples
The Bird's Nest Restaurant and Bar

High rollers: $1,600
Acropolis Gaming & Entertainment Centre


Although some of these places have not gotten good reviews on my page, they really prepare for this annual event and we could be surprised.

Gather up and visit these places during KWR. See you around!

I would love to hear your comments about the best service in town.


Keep on eating!

JG

Down with CHEZ MARIA!

Marrying different kinds of food in one place is often times a very hard task to achieve...

I believe that what makes a fusion place successful is not only the combination of food on their menus, but the coherence of their particular concept throughout that facility.

People visiting a fusion restaurant must be able to read that particular food concept from the minute they set foot on that place. They must see it on their décor, their ambiance and, needless to say, on their menu.

This is the case of CHEZ MARIA. They have a fantastic Mediterranean menu, which is truly representative of that region. But I personally think that they have failed at delivering this concept throughout their restaurant.

As soon as you enter CHEZ, you are hinted at the golden days of this place. Two bars, inside and outside dining, servers posted at the door to welcome the clients and mellow music.

Unfortunately, Chez Maria’s good 'ole days are gone and their brazen disregard is showing. Poor quality food, smelly napkins and tablecloths, plastic chairs, slow service, careless servers and disregarded clients.

My LAST meal there was a disaster. I was sitting at a big table with friends and we were not all served at the same time. I was really distraught at seeing that the place was almost empty and the servers were not efficient enough to take good care of ALL the guests… and there were quite a number of these SERVERS! This is clearly a management error and I would not want to imagine what would happen if the place were at least half full.

Although I think that their hummus is the best in town and that they are able to do better than my last experience, I prefer not to visit CHEZ MARIA again for a long time.

They need to have their place overhauled. We should not settle for less than better service and servers, better attention to detail and concept coherence all the way through.

So, my dear blog readers, when thinking to go to Chez Maria, think it twice. There are other options in Kingston where your dining experience will be far better.

Let CHEZ MARIA's people know that they have to take their business seriously or they will keep on losing clients.

Keep on eating ...and reporting!

CHILITOS (CHILL-EAT-OS) on Hope Road

JA-MEXICAN food!

What a clever combination!

I have been to Chilitos several times and my view has fluctuated every time I go. I was sold on this idea since the very beginning, because it seemed to be a new option among the scarce selection of fast food places in Kingston. But sometimes, I feel that I am not very attracted to the place itself.

Let me explain...

Chilitos not only did it present itself like a new option... it was a "cool" option. They have created a quasi-lounge ambiance in that old house located on Hope Road that makes me want to see where they can go. Unfortunately, they have not gone further.

This place gives you the option of seating at their verandah or even their at their porch listening to NICE music, which says a lot about their relaxed atmosphere. They also have a room filled with posters of music artists, some sofas, chairs and magazines, which reminds me of a nice bar that I visited once in Paris.

The Parisian bar in question was an eclectic mixture of furniture, music and drinks that was called Le bar sans nom (The Unnamed Bar) and it was characterized for a very laid-back and hip atmosphere. Once, I even saw Sydney Pollack entering that bar and I immediately realized that the place was set to be full of amazing stories.

Chilitos has the laid-back effect place (unintended comparison) and it's full of young people and music. The managers are very nice and the concept is attractive. However, even though I am fascinated with the idea of having a JAMEX (TEXMEX) restaurant and I am in tune with the lounge idea, I feel that Chilitos needs to pay closer attention to some details, such as lighting, tidiness, concept coherence and customer comfort.

We were lacking the variety of TEXMEX cuisine in Kingston and I believe this is a good start.

Nonetheless, go there, try their TACO SALADS, their FLAUTAS, their BURRITOS and their CHIMICHANGAS. If you find yourself spoilt for choice, ask one of the staff members and they'll be delighted to advise you about their options. Go with their FRESH juice options, which is far better than a soda pop.

If you want to take full advantage of the JAMEX experience, try Chilitos on a day where they have a live music group. You will be in awe at the mixture of Texmex food and Jamaican underground ambiance.

So, my dear blog readers... are you up for Jamex tonight? If so, drop by Chilitos and don't forget to let them know that we are expecting MORE!

Keep on eating and demanding good service!

You've got to try Pastry Passions

This Pastry haven at the Sovereign Centre has really given a new life to its food court. I would dare to say that it is now a pleasure thinking that you can get a dessert that tickles your palate in the right places and that this is coming from a FAST FOOD place.

Their concept is not bad at all... DESSERT FIRST with a touch of class. You can even see how the chef and assistants are working hard behind the counter putting together all sorts of delicious sweets.

For the people who, like me, have a sweet tooth, a place where you can go for a coffee and a nice sweet treat is always PARADISE... and who doesn't want to go THERE?

Another thing that makes me run back to that place, which is really one of the most important attributes of any place that sets sail in the restauration business is the quality of their SERVICE.

The cashiers are always smiling and the assistants are never cranky. Everybody there is eager to recommend their delicious preparations and, on top it all, they offer SAMPLES!

What a great IDEA...! I have been there trying to make up my mind in front of the myriad of treats that they offer and IN ALL THOSE OCCASIONS, there has always been someone that has approached me offering a sample of one of their dessert du jour!

I HIGHLY recommend the Appleton Bread Pudding and their most recent addition... LEMON SQUARE! The best that I have tried in town...! And I mean the BEST!

However, I would recommend to Pastry Passions to stick to the sweets, because that will result in a more coherent offer. Mixing savory and sweets for a FAST FOOD facility that wants to infuse some class into their offer translates sometimes in confusion to the clients.

Dear readers...keep on eating!

Cafe Blue @ the Sovereign Centre

This is one of the new additions to the Sovereign Centre. I have seen how this "mall" has grown in the years that I have been in Kingston and how its culinary offer has improved.

I still remember the early days of Deli Works, do not quite recall if it had the same name though. This place used to serve a kind of mixture of Latin (mostly Colombian) and Jamaican food.

It was one of the first places that I visited during my days without a car as I stepped out of the plane at the OLD Norman Manley International (Now, it looks REALLY nice) and wanted to go out to eat something.

That place was not really outstanding and when Deli Works replaced it (or when it was given that new look) I was pleased. However, their food was average and a little bit costly in terms of the concept of the restaurant and the relation quality and price.

But this place underwent yet another metamorphosis and something grew inside of it... CAFE BLUE. This facility was partitioned into two distinct stores and each one of them has a very different personality. You will see on one side Deli Works and on the other CAFE BLUE.

I had only heard good comments about CAFE BLUE up in the hills, but I was really reluctant travel the distance to go visit that place. However, one day, on my way to the famous Strawberry Hills Hotel, I passed by and it did not seem very attractive to me... I cannot say anything about their food though, because I decided not to stop on that occasion.

But APPEARANCE is also really important and there was something about that view of the cliff into the roofs of the houses that was really a deterrent. Nothing really outstanding!

Fortunately, they have decided to come down the hills for US and opened that little place at the Sovereign Centre. Good for you GUYS!

Although the variety of the offer is meager, the quality of the food is excellent. Their Sandwiches and Paninis are DELISH and the smoothies are INCREDIBLE! Ask for their Marlin Sandwich or their Turkey and Brie Panini and drink one of their berry smoothies and you will be set to enjoy a VERY GOOD lunch or snack!

If you like COFFEE, I am a BIG fan of their frozen coffee... WOW, one of the best that I have tried recently... I have become addicted to it!

But what makes me go back to BLUE CAFE on a regular basis is their staff. I really feel welcome and cared for... and their smiles are always ON. Service is really GOOD there and I believe that it is worth the trip.

I really recommend BLUE CAFE for lunch or for a quick snack in the early afternoon...

NONETHELESS, it will be wonderful if they opened until a little bit later. Jamaicans and Jamaican residents are really BORED to see how these NEW places are imitating the same OLD opening times, leaving US without the chance to meet some friends for coffee after 8p ... What a shame!

Rethink this time frame... and I'll guarantee more clients coming!

Keep up the good work!