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FANTASTIC VIEWS, FRIENDLY STAFF, FABULOUS FOOD - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 14
As surprising as it is quaint, The Gap Café is a hidden treasure for adventurers looking to experience a bit of the real Jamaica. Located 4,200 feet above sea level in the mountains overlooking Newcastle, patrons can sit back and take in the scenery with a glass of wine while watching the resident hummingbirds suckle strawberry nectar from suspended pink dispensers. The homemade fare at the charming hideaway includes classic, local dishes and Blue Mountain coffee.
Set in a small garden, the quaint cottage that houses the Gap Café was built in the 1930s, originally as a way station for buggy traffic bound for the north coast. The late Sir Donald Sangster, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica used to stay here when planning his budget speeches and Ian Fleming is said to have written the first James Bond book here.
Still a welcoming stop for travelers in the Blue Mountains, the Gap Café is worth a visit both for its stunning views and its tasty food. Says Manager Delores Allen, who has been working at the mountain cafe for 6+ years, “We feature a typical Jamaican menu with specialties such as curry goat, oxtail & beans and crab backs.”
Individually ground and brewed, the Blue Mountain coffee alone is worth the visit, as are the pastries. “Our desserts include carrot cake, rich chocolate cake and rum cake, which is a favorite choice,” explains Delores.
According to Delores, Kingstonians like to frequent the cafe on weekends as do tourists traveling the mountain road to Portland parish. A peak at the guestbook revealed scores of positive comments, such as “Beautiful!” and “Great staff, good food”, from satisfied customers from all over the world. “The scenery is lovely and the food is great,” wrote Rachel from Madrid.
We ran into two families from the British High Commission in Kingston, who were enjoying Sunday lunch at the picturesque eatery. Said Anita Lindley, who lunched on chicken stuffed with callalloo, “It is the best chicken I have ever had in Jamaica.” Her views were mirrored by the rest of the group. The pork chops and the chocolate cake, in particular, got the thumbs up from the Casali family.
Owned by Kingston business woman Gloria Palomino, the quaint cafe has been serving customers for 14 years. Featured in several guide books, including Marco Polo and Lonely Planet, it is the perfect place for a scenic lunch. The Gap is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Tel: 997-3032 or 539-1771 or gloriapalominojp@yahoo.com
Set in a small garden, the quaint cottage that houses the Gap Café was built in the 1930s, originally as a way station for buggy traffic bound for the north coast. The late Sir Donald Sangster, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica used to stay here when planning his budget speeches and Ian Fleming is said to have written the first James Bond book here.
Still a welcoming stop for travelers in the Blue Mountains, the Gap Café is worth a visit both for its stunning views and its tasty food. Says Manager Delores Allen, who has been working at the mountain cafe for 6+ years, “We feature a typical Jamaican menu with specialties such as curry goat, oxtail & beans and crab backs.”
Individually ground and brewed, the Blue Mountain coffee alone is worth the visit, as are the pastries. “Our desserts include carrot cake, rich chocolate cake and rum cake, which is a favorite choice,” explains Delores.
According to Delores, Kingstonians like to frequent the cafe on weekends as do tourists traveling the mountain road to Portland parish. A peak at the guestbook revealed scores of positive comments, such as “Beautiful!” and “Great staff, good food”, from satisfied customers from all over the world. “The scenery is lovely and the food is great,” wrote Rachel from Madrid.
We ran into two families from the British High Commission in Kingston, who were enjoying Sunday lunch at the picturesque eatery. Said Anita Lindley, who lunched on chicken stuffed with callalloo, “It is the best chicken I have ever had in Jamaica.” Her views were mirrored by the rest of the group. The pork chops and the chocolate cake, in particular, got the thumbs up from the Casali family.
Owned by Kingston business woman Gloria Palomino, the quaint cafe has been serving customers for 14 years. Featured in several guide books, including Marco Polo and Lonely Planet, it is the perfect place for a scenic lunch. The Gap is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Tel: 997-3032 or 539-1771 or gloriapalominojp@yahoo.com
