Taste Jamaica

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Experience Jamaica through food|Tour guide to great food

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The Ultimate Food Guide


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Clear blue skies, reflects this holy day Breeze is blowing trees begin to sway Flowers are blooming, things begin to blossom Children holding hold their mothers on their bosom. Butterflies are flying bees begin their buzzing All the animals on the Isle start to do their fussing. Ripe mango scents linger in the air Making us wonder if the smell was very clear. Ackee and breadfruit, frying early morn Making us wonder if this is on the norm Coal stove and wood fire are set in place Ready to put the pot on top of the blaze Rice and peas, stew peas, all the peas inna pod Makes us wonder when we will eat some cod Ital dish of various size and weight Allows us to think of the food we eat at midbreak Steam fish, callaloo, okra and gungu stew This is the Rasta man food with no salt, respect due Venice Scott

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Jerk Style Cooking

Healthy, delicious and strictly Jamaican! Jamaican style jerk food is a “must try” once you find yourself in Jamaica. The Jamaican cuisine, which is accentuated by marinating meats with varied seasoning for long periods of time, is a favourite on the island. It is said that Jerk style of cooking originated from a time the Maroons brought their African techniques of cooking meat to Jamaica, which were then combined with native island seasoning and ingredients. When preparing jerk, it is very important to not place the meat too close to the source of the heat. Generally three hours of grilling slowly should be sufficient. In every parish or town in Jamaica, jerk is mostly prepared on a specially designed “Jerk Pan” made from cutting open a metal drum in half horizontally. After cutting the drum, a metal grill is then placed in the center, charcoal is then place at the bottom of the grill and the meat is then grilled on top. Jamaican jerk style food when done properly is all that the experts have recommended to reducing the risk of endangering ones health.

If you want to get an unfiltered experience of Jamaica jerk style cooking, a Pan Chicken man is the way to go. You can usually find them after dark on most streets. Pan Chicken men are like any other street vendor who sets up their jerk pan on a street corner and prepare jerk chicken for sale. No town or city is short on a Pan chicken street vendor; it’s only a matter of knowing exactly where to find one. For example, there is always a pan chicken man located in Liguanea, Kingston right outside Pizza Hut, which is located across the road from the American Embassy. You can be sure however, that there will be a Pan chicken vendor showing out to the next party or as we Jamaicans like to call it “Dance”, that you attend. If you are not the party type or too young to attend one and you are not entirely sold on street vending, not to fear because Jerk style cooking is served in most restaurants island wide. Popular in the Island are also what is called Jerk Centers that caters for jerk style cooking. At these jerk centers you are sure to encounter a variety of jerk food such as pork, fish and chicken. Some of these Jerk Centers are highly recognized and well recommended for the best jerk experience.

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The Fritter Box When I first heard the name “The Fritter Box�, I was instantly excited about the concept of a restaurant that focuses on Fritters because I love Fritters! My first thoughts were that I would love some salt fish fritters, plantain fritters and banana fritters. I was excited to tried new types as well because who doesn’t like fritters? Located at 30 Dominica Drive, Kingston, The Fritter Box can be found at Shop 19b, New Kingston Business Centre. The Fritter Box promised over 15 varieties of Fritters along with homemade juices and shakes.

After entering the Business Centre, the shop is located upstairs next to Super Cleaners. It takes a few minutes to locate the shop on a first visit because of a column that blocks the sign upon emerging from the stairs; nevertheless, it is not impossible to find the shop. The set up of the shop is comfortable at first sight, although located in a food court, seats where provided on the inside for customers. Upon entering it is easy to recognize that The Fritter Box was not only about different varieties of Fritters but also healthy eating. Posters on the wall depicted info graphics of the benefits of health eating among other facts. The menu was constructed of a pairing of Fritters with a Homemade Juice. Combos ranged from $300 for one Fritter of your choice pair with any Homemade Juice, right up to $500 for three Fitters and a Drink. While the combos were lacking in creativity, they do allow combos that consisted of more than one Fritter to have variety of Fritters type in one purchase; combos were not restricted to one Fritter type. The drink menu only consisted of Home-style juices. Servers seemed a little too unconcerned when customers walk in, you could be standing around for minutes without being offered assistance although being the only customer in store. As for the quality of food, Fritters are made from whole-wheat flour and juices from natural ingredients. However, if you are looking for a healthy alternative that still allows you to enjoy a fried delight, the Fritter Box keeps it healthy and guilt free. 6


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1. Breakfast would not be the same without it, what is “ackee”? A vegetable A type of milk A condiment A tree grown fruit 2. It is not an event, what is “festival” ? A curry Fried sugared cornmeal dough A type of stew A soup served at weddings

8. There are peppers indigenous to Jamaica that are extremely hot. They almost resemble tiny pumpkins and go from green to yellow to orange to red in color. What kind of peppers are these? Cow Horn Habanero Hot Scotch Bonnet Numex Twilight 9. The Jamaican people make a side dish out of cassava, a pinch of salt and coconut milk. It is formed into the shape of a pancake and then deep fried. Can you name this dish? Bulla Cakes Bammy Shamshuku Gizzada

3. A common dish for special occasions such as weddings or nine night ceremonies, what is “mannish water”? Goat’s head soup A thick fish stew A soup made from coconuts 10. The unofficial national soft An alcoholic beverage drink of Jamaica is a car4. Here is an easy one. Jamaica bonated soda beverage with is famous for “jerk”. What is it? a grapefruit flavor. I’ll bet you A spicy salad know the name of this soda. Beef jerky Ting Pureed vegetables Ginger Beer Method of barbecuing meat7. While in Negril, Jamaica I Irish Moss 5. What is “stamp and go”? met with a older Rastafarian Kola Champagne kidney beans stewed with man named Red who was con- salty meat sidered a village elder of sorts. Let’s see how well you did!! Thick cassava pancakes We went to a restaurant that a 0-3=Good try, 4-6=Barely Jamai Stuffed bell peppers friend of his owned and had an can, 7-10=Totally Jamaican. Saltfish fritters amazing vegetarian meal. Part 6. Every Jamaican loves his of the dish was a soy product “bulla and pear”. What is it? that was used in place of meat Sweet potato pudding with that I found utterly delicious. Do pear you know what this soy product A Fried dumpling with is known as in Jamaica? mixed fruit Chunks Cake with wet sugar and Vegemite avocado Tofu A spiced bun with cheese Endamame 1. A tree grown fruit 2. Fried Sugared cornmeal dough 3. Goat’s head soup 4. A method of barbecuing meat 5. Saltfish fritters 6. Cake with wet sugar and avocado 7. Hot Scotch Bonnet 8. Chunks 9. Bammy 10. Ting

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Healthy Smoothies With A Taste Of Delight! Main Squeeze Smoothie and Juice Bar

If you are looking for something that’s healthy, exciting and bursting with flavours, then Main Squeeze Smoothies and Juice Bar is exactly the place you should be heading. Take a trip down to Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston right in front of Victoria Mutual and you will be sure to find a brightly coloured juice truck serving up a variety of natural smoothies and protein shakes. The Juice truck, which is operated by Jason McCook and business partner Stacian Virtue, stands out like a sore thumb with its bright yellow and green colours that one will be sure not to miss. The truck offers an array of healthy juices with catchy names such as Green Squeeze and Di Real Greens, which are the green juices. The name craze goes farther with Main Squeeze Please which is a blend of fruits such as strawberries, bananas, cane juice and other tropical fruits. The customers favourite, Protein Crunch Punch, is a protein blend that is rich and creamy in flavor and thankfully lacks the powdery after taste that most protein shakes has. The most impressive drink however, is the Bailey’s Milkshake, which of course has Bailey’s Rum Cream. Other milkshakes includes the smooth operator, which has vodka on the ingredient listing and the Oreo Milkshakes. Smoothies, which are done to order for freshness, price ranges from as low as $550 JMD for a small cup and $650 JMD for the large cup. Shakes ranges from $650 JMD to $750 JMD. Main squeeze offers extra toppings to drinks to personalize orders for an extra cost. Concerned about health violations? The truck is equipped with a water tank and sanitary areas as well as its own built in generator. The truck is usually park by the taxi stand on Knutsford Boulevard during opening hours of 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

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“Food is not rational.

Food is culture, habit, craving and identity.�

~Jonathan Safran Foer


Dine In or Let

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Looking to celebrate? Check Out these top places for sure celebration. Kaluga Kafe

Address: 18 West Street Old Harbour, Saint Catherine, Jamaica Email: kalugakafe@gmail.com One of Old Harbour’s Premier Chill spot. Offers Birthday Packages and discounts.

Russell’s T20 Restaurant & Sports Bar

Address: 35 East Street, Old Harbour, Saint Catherine, Jamaica. Andre Russell (Jamaican Cricketer) owned Sports Bar is one of Old Harbour’s favorite hang-out spots.

Chilitos Jamexican Food

Address: 88, Hope Rd, Kingston Email: chilitos.mexican@gmail.com Mexican restaurant with a Jamaican twist - they are JaMexican!

Jamzone Bowling

Address: 195 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston & Montego Bay Jamaica’s First Bowling Alley and Family Entertainment Centre. Recreation and entertainment destination for all ages. Whether it’s for a special event or just getting out with friends and family.

A-Bar Restaurant & Lounge

Address: Shop 21, Springs Plaza, 15 - 17 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston Email: abarjamaica@gmail.com Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Does Take Out Delivery, Catering and Waiter Service.

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Pasta You are Sure to Love. Top 5 pasta destinations

Triple Century Sports Bar and Grill

Address: 69 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston Email: info@triplecenturysports.com Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Does Take Out and offers Waiter Service.

A-Bar Restaurant & Lounge

Address: Shop 21, Springs Plaza, 15 - 17 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston Email: abarjamaica@gmail.com Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Does Take Out Delivery, Catering and Waiter Service.

Macau Gaming Lounge & Bar

Address: 28, Lindsay Crescent, Kingston Email: support@macauja.com

Pizza Please

Address: Shop #3 Village Plaza, 24 Constant Spring Road, Kingston Email: hello@pizza-please.com 1st Italian Jamaican Pizza By the slice, 59 different toppings and offers new Pizzas every day. 16

Ocean’s 11

Address: Watering Hole, Lot #6, Fisherman’s Point Road, Ocho Rios Email: sacaphill@yahoo.com oceans11, is conveniently located beside the cruise ship pier on the dock of the bay, at fisherman’s point Road Ocho Rios.


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“The yellow of the Caribbean seen from Jamaica at three in the afternoon.” words from novelist Gabriel García Márquez. There can’t be a conversation about Jamaican without a mention of our beaches. The stretch of golden sand with rippling water and cool breeze coming in off the sea with the warm tropical sun; there is so much to do on the beach. Whether you visit the beach to go swimming, snorkeling or sightseeing, it is no question that you have to pair a belly full of laughter with some good sea side food. Hellshire Beach in Portmore, St. Catherine is famed for its fried fish and other sea food delights, but if you want the best sea food on Hellshire beach, Pendy’s on the Beach is the ideal destination. “ I need the world to taste this food, and hence the birth of Prendy’s.” posited Donette Prendergast owner and operator of Prendy’s on the Beach, which has been in operation for 15 years. The restaurant serves up a variety of fishes from Fried Fish and Steamed Fish to Jerked Fish along with many others. The restaurant is big on choices, each customer gets to hand pick their fishes prior to preparation, it is then weighed and prepared to the customers liking. Meals are billed per pounds of fish being served. Two small fishes could weigh a pound or one large fish and the price for both would still be the same. “I don’t know if it’s the smoke from the wood fire or what, but it gives our food a different flavour” says Manager Brian Morgan and the customer are in sure agreement. There are more than 15 other food shops along the Hellshire Beach with lower prices than Prendy’s, but that doesn’t deter buyers from flooding into the dining area. Prices per pound ranges from $1750 to $1950. Shell food Ranges from as low as crab for $1500 to Lobster, Cray Fish, Conch, Shrimp and Sea Puss that goes up to $4500. They also offer sides such as Festival, Bammy, Plantain, Breadfruit, Fried or Roasted Sweet Potato and Cracker for an additional cost. We could assume that it is the prestige that goes with the name or perhaps it’s simply the taste, but Prendy’s on the Beach is the sure stop.

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Jerk, The Right Way: Top Jerk Spots to dine in or eat out.

Sweetwood Jerk Joint

Address: 78 Knutsford Boulevard Kingston, Jamaica. Email: sweetwoodja@yahoo.com Conveniently located beside Emancipation Park, offers a wide menu of mouth watering Jerk meat: pork, chicken, sausage, lamb, fish, conch and delectable sides: sweet potato, yam and breadfruit.

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Farmers Jerk Center

Address: West Street, Old Harbour, St. Catherine. Open daily, from 11 A.M until you say when, the food joint serves tasty jerked pork, fish, chicken, sausages, escoveitched fish, and a variety of soups, with your choice of sides which includes fried plantain, festival, bread, and rice and peas.

Scotchies Jerk Centre

Located in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay Scotchies restaurants located throughout the island are all known for their authentic Jamaican jerked chicken and jerked pork. Along with great food and a real Jamaican outdoor atmosphere.


Ocho Rios Jerk Center

Address: 14 DaCosta Dr, Ocho Rios Email: ochijerk@gmail.com A good place to relax with one of Jamaica’s best Jerk. The restaurant serves chicken, pork, ribs, conch and more.

JoJo’s Jerk Pit

Address: 2 Waterloo Road, Kingston They serve Jerk Chicken, Pork, Lamb and many more delightful meals

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Here to Quench your Thirst. A-Bar Restaurant & Lounge

Address: Shop 21, Springs Plaza, 15 - 17 Constant Spring Rd, Kingston Email: abarjamaica@gmail.com Favourite drinks: Virgin Pineapple Martini, Mojito and Pena Colada.

Chilitos Jamexican Food

Address: 88, Hope Rd, Kingston Email: chilitos.mexican@gmail.com Favourite drinks: Mega Margarita, Beergarita and Mojito.

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Triple Century Sports Bar and Grill

Address: 69 Knutsford Blvd, Kingston Email: info@triplecenturysports.com Favourite drinks: Strawberry Tequila and Pena Colada.

Margaritaville

Address: Island Village, Ocho Rios Swim-up bar and the main bar which offers intimate drinks for two to 2 am shots.

Ribbiz UltraLounge

Address: 29 E Kings House Rd, Kingston Serves a variety of Appleton Estate liquor and Johnnie Walker.


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Created By: Taneika Thomas Special Thanks to: Jonnoy Powell (Assistant Photograher) Trishaun Blake & Paul Walker (Production Assistants)

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