Restaurant Week 2k12

Greetings!
Remember me? I know it's been awhile since my last post, but let's just say...i've been lazy busy..

So Restaurant week Jamaica started on Friday, November 9 and will end next Saturday, November 17...and usually, i'd be pretty exited about this...this year however, I have mixed feelings...I mean, why limit myself to a set menu where I will be forced to choose something that I don't necessarily want to eat just because it is "discounted", when I can just go to these same restaurants and choose something else that I do want, that costs the same price as that on the "discounted" menu?

For those of you reading, who are not in Jamaica, or even for those in Jamaica, who still don't get what all the fuss is about...the whole notion of restaurant week is to give persons a chance to go to a restaurant they have been dying to try out but due to overpriced menus financial constraints, they have not been able to do so...

So what happens during Restaurant Week is that participating restaurants are grouped in certain categories based on the type of food they serve and the ambiance as well. These restaurants create a set menu, which includes a three-course meal at a "heavily" discounted price. The prices are per person and does not include beverages, GCT and gratuities.

The categories include:

"Epicurean" (restaurants in this category are normally really expensive, but for a limited time (one wk, pre-selected meals will ONLY cost $3800 JMD per person),

"Delectable" (restuarants in this category are usually for persons feeling fancy/ for special occasions, pre-selected meals will only cost $3500)

"Savoury" (usually semi-affordable, and for this wk pre-selected meals will only cost $2200 )

"Tasty" (normally reasonably priced, for this wk, the price is $1600)

"Nyam and scram" ( good for take-out. This category offers a 30% discount on lunch combos)

My little problem with Restaurant Week is that I don't think the restaurants are prepared enough to deal with the crowd, and one would think they would be used to it by now (they have been doing it for years). When you go to dine at any of the participating restaurants during this week, the wait time is outrageous, in most cases, the food quality is not the greatest, and there is a great chance you may just receive the wrong order.

Also, I know that we are getting a discount, but the food portions that some restaurants dish out could not even fill a baby's stomach, even with the "three-course menu".

So why do I continue to support it? Well, because I use it as an occasion to dress up and have dinner with my friends. Why not make an event out of it? This year, however, I may just decide to choose one entre from the regular menu as opposed to the "three-course meal" that will leave my stomach growling from dissatisfaction.

For the epicurean, I'd suggest Strawberry Hill, simply because of the location, it may be less crowded than the others in that category. I have never been, but I have heard great reviews about the food...and if nothing else, the view is amazing.

For the delectable, I am recommending, for persons in and near to Montego Bay, The House Boat Grill. I have been there a couple times, and have never been disappointed with the food or the service. The setting is definitely very romantic as well. For persons in Kingston, I am recommending majestic, based solely on the reviews of my friends, and the location.

The savoury category was a bit more difficult for me to choose from, and not just because it had a lot more options, but because so many of my fav restaurants are in this category. I'm just going to make my suggestions...and just trust me on this one ok?
If you are in Montego Bay, I'm suggesting Robin's Prime Steakhouse,     Seahorse Grill and Napoli Ristorante.
For Ocho Rios, Evita's Italian, and for Kingston, Tamarind's Indian Cuisine.

In the tasty category, I'd recommend East Japanese, however, it may get a bit crowded, so if you're definitely looking for something Asian, you may try Fuji Express as well.

I also advise you to make reservations for the restaurant of your choice, asap, and definitely prepare to wait a good while to get served.

"V" Day

Ok, so I'm still trying to get a hang of this "blog thing", so this means trying to come up with a new post to capture and keep your attention. For about a week now I have been contemplating what my next post should be about. I haven't been anywhere recently worthy of a spot in my blog so I was stuck...stuck until I had a conversation with a good friend of mine who recently started a new relationship. "Soooo...", I asked him, "what are your plans for Valentine's Day?"...He told me he was cheap broke so he wouldn't be doing much. Then he said "I dunno, maybe dinner or a movie or both". This is when I decided what my next post should be about!... Restaurants! Valentine's Day is approaching, and most couples I know are planning to go to dinner.

Photo courtesy of The HouseBoat Grill's Website

The first restaurant on my list is  "The HouseBoat Grill" located in the Freeport area in Montego Bay. It offers a unique setting for an intimate dining experience. This restaurant is docked away from the pier, so you have to be transported to it. You may dine downstairs, but upstairs has a better view. The food is excellent (constantly evolving fusion menu, Jamaican-Mediterranean cuisine), the staff was really friendly, and the ambiance was quite delightful. Men, if you are looking to impress a woman, this is the place to take her. Dress code is casually elegant.  It is one of those fancyshmancy  sophisticated restaurants so it is best to make reservations before you go.

Possibly my favourite restaurant in Montego Bay is the Sea Horse Grill at the Montego Bay Yacht Club. This is also located in the Freeport area, a little way down from The HouseBoat Grill.

Photo of Sea Horse Grill Courtesy of their website

I've been here a couple times and every time I go, I fall more in love with the place.

Let your hair down, close your eyes and fall in love with the saxophonist and his music while you wait to receive your meal. Or, you could keep your eyes open and stare at the Montego Bay "night-lights". The food! oh!em!gee! The food, Try their juicy tenderloin beef steak or their mouth-watering baby back ribs! yummmy!!!!  You don't usually need to make reservations for dinner, but they should be packed this Valentine's day, so make reservations before you go.                                        

 Pic is blurry, but it was the only one I could find of the setting

Journey with me as we go to Gaucho's Grill located on South Avenue in Kingston. Enjoy a nice casual poolside dining experience here. Actually, the first time I went to Gaucho's was for a Valentine's dinner some years ago, and I fell in love with the atmosphere. Since then, I've taken close friends of mine here and they've all enjoyed it. I'm a ribs kinda girl!! looove me some tender juicy ribs, and I think this is what has kept me coming back to Gaucho's. Their ribs are to die for!!!! and the prices are actually good too! Their pastas seem to be really popular among my friends as well.

The last restaurant on my list .....does not have "Grill" as part of its name...haha...I just realized that the trend with the previous restaurants...this was not intentional though....Jewel of India is my favourite Indian restaurant and perhaps the best in Jamaica...(yes, I am a little biased..sue me). It is located at Market Place, on Constant Spring Road in Kingston.

Our food

The prices are a little steep, BUT it is worth it!!! The servings meant for one person may be shared for two, yes, you get a lottttt of food! If you don't know what to order, the waiters/waitresses are always around to explain what the dishes are and to offer you suggestions.

Garlic Nan

 Some of my favourite on the menu are: Chicken Tikka Masala (spicy), Chicken Goan (Curry chicken), Rogan Josh (Mutton). These dishes are served with basmati rice or Nan (I looove the garlic and butter nans)...it may take a while to receive your main course, so order some samosas while you wait!

Friends and I outside Jewel of India

You may dine inside/outside, I usually dine indoors if I go there with a large group. If you are as fascinated by "pretty lights" as I am, then I suggest you dine outside. Dress code is casual elegance/semi-formal. (Definitely make reservations)

P.S. Men, If you do decide to take your other half out to dinner, Don't forget the flowers! (Yes, I am an old-fashioned kinda girl)