A DAY OUT IN KINGSTON WITH 'JUICYCHEF' - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 13
The parishes of Kingston and St Andrew, known locally as the corporate area comprises the capital and its suburbs, which often get overlooked when visitors arrive on our lovely shores. As a resident I feel you should spare a day or two to see what we have to offer. This region of Jamaica is the cultural heart and once it gets under your skin, it becomes infectious. Not to be missed is our vibrant food scene, from high end to street food culture; we have something to offer everyone.
BY ‘JUICYCHEF’ JACQUI SINCLAIR
Jacqui Sinclair is a British Jamaican Chef, Hotelier, Food Stylist and Food Writer. She has freelanced for the BBC and catered events such as the Cannes Film Festival just to name a few and formed her own company JuicyChef Multi Media in 2008. As a food writer, she regularly contributes to the Jamaica Observer and Air Jamaica Skywritings. info@juicychef.com
As a food writer I often have the pleasure of entertaining, and when my overseas guests come to Jamaica, and specifically Kingston, there are a few spots I love to take them to when I am not cooking myself. These locales are my home away from home for different reasons, the ambiance, the staff and of course the delicious food and drink. Let me take you on a journey of my ideal day eating and drinking around Kingston.
First stop is Irish Town in the beautiful Blue Mountains, home of the Crystal Edge Restaurant and Café Blue which both reside in the same structure audaciously perched on the edge of a verdant mountain slope. The surrounding vista is breathtaking, peace and tranquility abound. I go up there to escape the fumes and noise of the city. It inspires creativity and if by some awesome synergy, my friends and I often leave recharged with new creative zeal and not to mention full stomachs!
You have the best of both worlds in that you can sit in either place since the staffs of both entities get on famously. Start by ordering a delicious local dish such as curry goat or stewed pork from Crystal Edge’s Miss Winsome, the jolly buxom matron whose food is straight up classic home style Jamaican. It is always perfectly seasoned and washed down with a cooling natural juice, such as guava, June plum or whatever is in season. Afterwards savour the aromatic brew which is the world famous Blue Mountain coffee with some delicious cake or biscotti for a perfect ending to your lunch served by either Marie or Nichole, the lovely baristas of Café Blue.
I have made a conscious decision to support this place because the food and coffee are grown in the region so I know that money spent here goes back into the local community. The villagers are friendly and do not be surprised if you end up engaged over coffee or a cool Red Stripe in a deep discussion with one of them, such is the charm of this enchanting hillside town.
Later in the evening it’s a totally different scene at Red Bones, the Blues Café on Braemar Avenue in New Kingston, the commercial heart of the capital, situated in a lovely colonial Spanish home. This eatery and bar has been going strong for over 12 years due to its consistent food, reasonably priced drinks and friendly staff. It is also an open secret, that this is the home of the underground music scene in Jamaica. If you want to be en vogue of the artistic pulse of Jamaica, this is the place to venture. The crowd is a delightful mix of cosmopolitan Kingstonians and expatriates. Be entertained by famous artistes or budding reggae, rock, world beat or jazz and blues musicians, with a glass of wine, rum or a delectable cocktail. Not only will your ears be satiated with the vibrant live sounds, but if you are a lover of arts, do not miss their rotating exhibitions. Every June, Red Bones hosts KOTE, Kingston on the Edge, which is a multi media art event, a unique occasion for the Jamaican art world of every genre to showcase their fantastic offerings. Last but not least, monthly foreign art house films are shown and you have a choice of having a picnic with your friends on the lawn, laying down on blankets on the grass or sitting on the chairs provided while waiters serve you as you get lost in cinematic drama.
As you can see, Kingston is a little “big” city and what I have shared is just the tip of the iceberg, you can have many other wonderful experiences at my other favourite Kingston haunts:
BARS
The Deck, a rowdy local bar located in New Kingston full of vibes, great for after work especially on a Friday evening. Trafalgar Road, New Kingston.
Christopher’s for live music on a Tuesday or Thursday night. Trinidad Terrace, New Kingston.
RESTAURANTS
Guilt Trip, innovative nouvelle Jamaican cuisine, Orchid Patch Village, Barbican.
The Marketplace, home to a variety of great restaurants on Constant Spring Road.
Chez Maria for great Lebanese, Hillcrest Avenue off Hope Road.
Ashanti for the best Rastafarian vegetarian cuisine located in the Hope Gardens.
Northside Plaza, our unofficial China Town, great Chinese food to be found here plus Pushpa’s cheap and cheerful Indian food, Liguanea.
HOTELS
Terra Nova for High Tea Thursdays and Sunday Brunch, Waterloo Road.
Spanish Court Hotel Bar, New Kingston.
BY ‘JUICYCHEF’ JACQUI SINCLAIR
Jacqui Sinclair is a British Jamaican Chef, Hotelier, Food Stylist and Food Writer. She has freelanced for the BBC and catered events such as the Cannes Film Festival just to name a few and formed her own company JuicyChef Multi Media in 2008. As a food writer, she regularly contributes to the Jamaica Observer and Air Jamaica Skywritings. info@juicychef.com
As a food writer I often have the pleasure of entertaining, and when my overseas guests come to Jamaica, and specifically Kingston, there are a few spots I love to take them to when I am not cooking myself. These locales are my home away from home for different reasons, the ambiance, the staff and of course the delicious food and drink. Let me take you on a journey of my ideal day eating and drinking around Kingston.
First stop is Irish Town in the beautiful Blue Mountains, home of the Crystal Edge Restaurant and Café Blue which both reside in the same structure audaciously perched on the edge of a verdant mountain slope. The surrounding vista is breathtaking, peace and tranquility abound. I go up there to escape the fumes and noise of the city. It inspires creativity and if by some awesome synergy, my friends and I often leave recharged with new creative zeal and not to mention full stomachs!
You have the best of both worlds in that you can sit in either place since the staffs of both entities get on famously. Start by ordering a delicious local dish such as curry goat or stewed pork from Crystal Edge’s Miss Winsome, the jolly buxom matron whose food is straight up classic home style Jamaican. It is always perfectly seasoned and washed down with a cooling natural juice, such as guava, June plum or whatever is in season. Afterwards savour the aromatic brew which is the world famous Blue Mountain coffee with some delicious cake or biscotti for a perfect ending to your lunch served by either Marie or Nichole, the lovely baristas of Café Blue.
I have made a conscious decision to support this place because the food and coffee are grown in the region so I know that money spent here goes back into the local community. The villagers are friendly and do not be surprised if you end up engaged over coffee or a cool Red Stripe in a deep discussion with one of them, such is the charm of this enchanting hillside town.
Later in the evening it’s a totally different scene at Red Bones, the Blues Café on Braemar Avenue in New Kingston, the commercial heart of the capital, situated in a lovely colonial Spanish home. This eatery and bar has been going strong for over 12 years due to its consistent food, reasonably priced drinks and friendly staff. It is also an open secret, that this is the home of the underground music scene in Jamaica. If you want to be en vogue of the artistic pulse of Jamaica, this is the place to venture. The crowd is a delightful mix of cosmopolitan Kingstonians and expatriates. Be entertained by famous artistes or budding reggae, rock, world beat or jazz and blues musicians, with a glass of wine, rum or a delectable cocktail. Not only will your ears be satiated with the vibrant live sounds, but if you are a lover of arts, do not miss their rotating exhibitions. Every June, Red Bones hosts KOTE, Kingston on the Edge, which is a multi media art event, a unique occasion for the Jamaican art world of every genre to showcase their fantastic offerings. Last but not least, monthly foreign art house films are shown and you have a choice of having a picnic with your friends on the lawn, laying down on blankets on the grass or sitting on the chairs provided while waiters serve you as you get lost in cinematic drama.
As you can see, Kingston is a little “big” city and what I have shared is just the tip of the iceberg, you can have many other wonderful experiences at my other favourite Kingston haunts:
BARS
The Deck, a rowdy local bar located in New Kingston full of vibes, great for after work especially on a Friday evening. Trafalgar Road, New Kingston.
Christopher’s for live music on a Tuesday or Thursday night. Trinidad Terrace, New Kingston.
RESTAURANTS
Guilt Trip, innovative nouvelle Jamaican cuisine, Orchid Patch Village, Barbican.
The Marketplace, home to a variety of great restaurants on Constant Spring Road.
Chez Maria for great Lebanese, Hillcrest Avenue off Hope Road.
Ashanti for the best Rastafarian vegetarian cuisine located in the Hope Gardens.
Northside Plaza, our unofficial China Town, great Chinese food to be found here plus Pushpa’s cheap and cheerful Indian food, Liguanea.
HOTELS
Terra Nova for High Tea Thursdays and Sunday Brunch, Waterloo Road.
Spanish Court Hotel Bar, New Kingston.
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