Dining At The Gap Café

The entrance of The Gap Café

Tucked away deep in the Jamaica Blue Mountains is a small cafe called The Gap Café. This quaint rustic restaurant is located in Portland Gap, twenty one miles away from Kingston. However, the journey certainly feels longer as the mountain road to this well elevated restaurant in narrow, windy and is a very rough ride, so you may want to prepare your self mentally for this long drive. Nevertheless, if you are longing for rustic dining in the clean mountain air away from the noises, the hustle and bustle of city life then this journey will worth the trip.

Directions along the winding road.

Milestone at The Gap Café

Driveway to the café from the road

The rustic charm and board structure of this restaurant and cafe definitely blends in with the natural look and feel of it's rural location and is reminiscent of a old country house. It is perched on the side of the mountain overlooking the lush green forrest that carpets the Blue Mountain Range, perfect for that rural dining.

The back balcony or The Gap Café

One of the many plants outside the café

View of Holywell from The Gap Café

Once you enter the cafe you cannot help noticing the blue and white inside of the main inner dining area and lobby is decorated with white and cream furniture with framed pieces of Jamaican history mounted on the blue board walls. If you are looking for even more of a natural rustic dining experience the balcony overlooking the blue mountains will definitely fulfill that desire.

Interior of the café

Interior of the café

The food was pretty good, and I especially enjoyed the oxtail which was season to the bone, full of flavour and the meat fell right off the bone with stroke of a knife. My dinner date had a variation of Chicken Cordon Bleu, chicken breast stuffed with callaloo and cheese.

Chicken Cordon Bleu with Rice and Peas

Oxtail with Rice and Peas

My highlight of the evening though was the French Pressed Blue Mountain Coffee which was absolutely delicious with that wonderful freshly brewed coffee aroma. We had it with a slice of chocolate cake which was not as wonderful as I had hoped but definitely the coffee made my day.

French Press Blue Mountain Coffee

French Press Blue Mountain Coffe and chocolate cake

If you are looking for a good drive out in the hills on a Sunday evening and want to dine in a rustic country atmosphere then The Gap Café is worth a try. And be sure to end your evening with some French Pressed Blue Mountain Coffee!

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"Call Di Contracta (Tutty Gran')" - DJ Powa Refix Video

This was just too good for me not to drop on my blog! Best video since the Cliftwang Brown Cannon Cross it video back in 2011! Jamaicans are the best I tell you!

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Stunner Conquers Sigma 2013!

My Sigma 2013 gear!

In my last post I wrote about my intentions to run the annual Sigma Corporate Run this year and my hopes to even try to get a medal by training vigorously. Well, getting a medal may have been a bit immature at this point in my life but a man can dream can't he?

With my eyes firmly set on doing well in the Sigma 5.5k this year I started out my training regim and went to Emancipation Park at least three times for the week. Things started out rough as I have not ran in ages, almost eight months in fact. So I started off by walking about two laps around the park, each lab being equivalent to 500m, then running as much laps as I could after which I would walk the remainder to make it 5.5k. So going around the track at Emancipation park eleven times would be the full Sigma 5.5k distance. Things were going well as each time I went to the park I ran longer and ended up going around the track even more than eleven times. At this rate I was sure to be in good shape for Sigma, or at least so I thought!

Icing my knee

By my third week into running I started feeling pains in my knees, at first it was that bad and so I thought it was just a little soreness as my body was not used to the running as yet. So I figured that after a few mow times running it would eventually go away, just like the soreness associated with starting back at the gym. However, this pain only go worse, even walking became a painful ordeal no matter how slow I went. This caused my training to come to a screeching halt and much to my dismiss and utter disappointment. I resorted to icing several times for the day and rubbing Voltaren on my knees, but this only temporarily eased the pain a bit. As if this wasn't bad enough my sinus started to drain and gave me a nasty chest infection. At this point Sigma seemed to be nothing more than a dream dashed to pieces by a series of unfortunate events. I had to go to the doctor for medication to put an end to the chest infection and also decided to ask him about the knee while I was there. The good news was that I got medication that would clear up my sinus issues and chest infection, but the prognosis on running was very grim. I was basically given pain killers and told to rest and at most walk at most if I still wanted to do Sigma. My dream sank even further into the darkness, no Sigma for me.

Some of the medication I was on

Two weeks of pain went by slowly as I watched the days go by in my dismal routine of icing my knees and rubbing Voltaren. Three weeks of only walking... No limping to do my daily activities. However, there was light at the end of the tunnel, as the week before Sigma progressed the pain got less and less until there was only an intermittent hint of discomfort. By Saturday night February 16 I was virtually pain free and I cleared myself to run the following morning!

Me just before the Sigma Corporate Run on Knutsford Blvd.

I arrived at Emancipation park at about 6:30am and already the place was abuzz with activities as participants were all ready to challenge themselves for charity. I went up to the starting area on Knutsford Boulevard so I could at least get a decent position, which was a good idea as people were already there securing a good starting point. I did a few stretches and did some stepping in place during the starting ceremony to get my muscles warmed up. After about 20 minutes the horn blew for the runners to start and I was off! I made my way along the route at a steady pace, not as fast as I had hoped I would have been going, but it was what I could manage. The route was not easy, despite the morning being overcast and cool. As I progressed along the route I passed many runners who sprinted off only to come to a snails pace and I also got passed by a lot of people who were obviously in better shape than I was. Nevertheless, I pressed on with my steady pace as I listened to my running music that I had complied just for the half marathon. But as the route continued so did the difficulty and  the muscled and my body cried out for a break! Would I make it?

The Sigma Corporate Run 2013 was the same route as that of 2012

By the time I was going up Hope Road and unto Winchester Road my body had enough and was ready to give up, my running pace slowed down to a brisk walk by the time I was midway along Winchester Road, this was it! But then I said to myself if I continue to walk now then I would have completely failed. I grabbed my iPod Shuffle which was clipped to my shorts packed and skipped a few tracks to the Rocky Theme Song! It started and so did my pace, it picked up slowly like a locomotive train and builded and builded up, by the time I realized I was in a a full out sprint! my body running only on sheer mental energy and will power. My chest burned, my muscles ached, my breaths were short, my heart was pounding but all I could see is the finish line, all I could hear was the Rocky Theme Song playing. As I got closer I groaned, I puffed and as the finish line as nearer, the faster I went and the more people I passed. It was there, before me, the prize, the finish line! I did it! I did it! I crossed the finish line like an unstoppable force! Pain, agony, fatigue was nothing compared to the will to succeed! I conquered Sigma!

The champ not long after crossing the finish line on Oxford Road

I finished the Sigma Corporate Run in 33 minutes and 7 seconds, not as well as I wanted, but not bad considering the circumstances.  Now, I have reaffirmed that I need to get even fitter, to challenge myself even more. With this in mind I will continue to run, I will do more half marathons and maybe one day, just maybe I will conquer a full marathon!

My results 00:33:07

The race has ended, but the journey continues...

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Toscanini - Italian Dining Experience in Jamaica

Toscanini Resturant at night

When you think of Jamaica you think of jerk chicken, jerk pork, oxtail, rice and peas and the many colourful and delicious Jamaican meals guaranteed to tantalize the palate. Fine dining to delicious Italian and Mediterranean meals prepared with fresh local produce would most likely not be the first thing to come to mind. But as the motto of the island of Jamaica states, "Out of Many One People", the same goes for the diverse mixture of cuisines that can be found here in Jamaica. Italian food is one that has found it's niche in the Jamaica culinary landscape. One of the leading pioneers charting their way in local Italian and Mediterranean dining is Toscanini.

Interior Dining Room

Veranda dining area

Toscanini is a quaint restaurant located at Harmony Hall, just a few miles outside of the resort town of Ocho Rios. The restaurant charms it's diners with it's rustic indoors and varanda dining area and provides a relaxing setting to enjoy the tastes of Italy and the Mediterranean. As we entered the restaurant we were warmly greeted by the owner Lella, who escorted us to our table and easily made us feel welcomed and set the tone for a wonderful dining experience. We also met the man behind the meals chef Pierluigi, called PG, who introduced himself to us as well as his Canon film SLR as he had noticed my Nikon D7000 resting on the table. He related his experiences as an avid sports photographer, his other passion.

Chalk board menu

The first thing that we notice that was different was that the traditional menu books that are handed to us by our servers. Once seated we were presented with two large chalk boards with the restaurants menu hand written with chalk, definitely not the type of menus I have seen. Lella then explained each item on the menu which consisted of appetisers, entreé and desserts. I greatly appreciated this as with most restaurants I have been to I have had to ask what is in the meals they are serving. So this was very helpful in deciding what I wanted to eat instead of the awkward fifteen minutes of trying to figure out what my meal should be.

Garlic Herb Butter

Focaccia

Olive Oil with Scotch Bonnet pepper

Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Zucchini Gratinate

To start off the dining experience we ordered the Cream of Pumpkin soup and the Zucchini Gratinate which went well with the warm Focaccia which came with Garlic Herb Butter and Olive Oil mixed with Scotch Bonnet pepper.

Fettuccine Florentina

Pappardelle Boscaiola

One of our servers, Julie adding freshly ground pepper

Up next was Entreé, so we decided to go all Italian and selected the Fettuccini Florentina made with  Breast of Chicken and Callaloo Alfredo Sauce and Papperdelle Boscaiola made with Prosciutto Ham and Portobello Mushrooms in a creamy Tomato Basil Sauce. This was finished with Parmesain cheese and a sprinkle of pepper done at our table by our servers. To make the food go down well a glass of fine Merlot and lime squash were great choices. The meals were delicious and combined with appetizers and continuous servings of warm homemade Focaccia quite filling as we barely had space for desserts!

Chocolate Profiteroles

However, dessert was a must for this rare dining occasion so we ordered up a serving of the delicious Chocolate Profiteroles, cream filled buns with a warm chocolate sauce. This was perfect way to end this dining experience as it was not too sweet but had that right amount of sweetness to satisfy the palate.

Chef Pierluigi PG

Lella Ricci

Our servers: L-R: Julie and Omar

We then had a wonderful conversation with Lella, who told us about the history of the restaurants and showed us here guestbook with kind words from her many international celebrity diners who have stopped by to sample her culinary dishes. This book of celebrity testimonials reaffirmed the many food awards plaques that decorated the interior dining area.

Lella's celebrity guestbook

One of the many testimonials in the Toscanini guestbook

Observer Food Awards

The three course meal for two came up to under $JM8000 which is about the average rate for such dining in Jamaica. Toscanini is definitely worth trying if you are in the mood for some italian or Mediterranean dishes with a relaxing, rustic ambiance.

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Pastor Brown's Artistic House

The view of Pastor Brown's house and park taken from the main road

Several weeks ago on my way to Portland I again saw one of the most unusual houses I've ever seen, a site I normally see while traversing the route between Kingston and Port Antonio. However, as I had the time and my trusted camera in hand I decided to stop, for the first, to take a closer look at what seems like a prominent landmark along that route.

Some of the structures in Pastor Brown's attraction

Another view of the museum/park along the main road

A photo of Pastor Brown's throne

Wooden animal figure in Pastor Brown's park

I pulled over on a somewhat narrow soft shoulder long the narrow winding road of Black Hill district in Portland, and went over to investigate the very colourful house across the valley and the equally colourful and interesting structures and signs that lined the roadside in front of the house. There were several colourful items in what seemed to be a mini museum with many colourful creations including a colourful bench, wooden figures depicting different animals, an impressive structure that looks like a combination of a throne and a gazebo, several other unusual pieces, seemingly cryptic signage and of course two Jamaican flags.

Pastor Brown posing in his throne structure

Pastor Winston Brown posing proudly beside his photo that he took at the Royal Palace in London

While I was there looking and taking a few photos I heard a voice beckoning to me from one end of this makeshift roadside museum. It was an elderly man clad in a light blue bush jacket and dress pants with a full head of grey hair signifying his crown of old age. He introduced himself to me as Pastor Winston Brown and proceeded to give me a tour of his mini park and tourist attraction. The 81 year old man walked me through his handy work like a proud father as he explained his masterpieces to me and told me of his journey to London England where he met the Queen during his younger years. He was especially proud of his prominently displayed photo which documented his trip to London and the Royal Palace. But the tour didn't end there!

A view of Pastor Brown's unusual house from the foot bridge

Pastor Brown's colourful and unusual house

After showing me some of his art work and posing for a few pics beside them, Pastor brown invited me to take a closer look at his very colourful and unusual house. So a bit apprehensively I followed him down the valley and crossed over the small spring on a narrow foot bridge that he himself built. The unique house sits on the opposite side of the valley and overlooks his mini park and the main road. This impressive two story building is reminiscent of a castle and is adorned with many colourful tiles, drawings, including one of a rainbow and other decorations which set this house apart from any other house I have ever seen! He also introduced me to his wife who was sitting on the veranda of the house looking on. They were both kind enough to pose for a photo while they told me more about their fascinating place of abode. 

Pastor Brown and his wife posing with two of his photos

After giving them a "smalls" I told them farewell and left behind a true testament of pure Jamaican creativity, however eccentric it may be. So if you are on your way to Port Antonio be sure to look out for this striking house along the Black Hill main road, it shouldn't be hard to spot!

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Kuyaba - Negril Beachside Dining

The Kuyaba sign at the entrance of the property

On a recent trip to the popular Jamaican tourist destination, Negril, I stopped by Kuyaba for lunch. Kuyaba is a hotel and restaurant that lies right on the beautiful seven mile beach of Negril. The rustic wooden structures of the property gives the feel of being at a real island getaway at a remote location on the beach.

The view of  Negril beach from the Gazebo at Kuyaba Restaurant

The view of the deck and thatch roof of Kuyaba Restaurant from the gazebo

The wooded structure and thatch roof of the restaurant gives the place that relaxed feeling and complements the whole idea of dining on a beach. The restaurant consists of four areas: a covered dining area which sits under the large thatch roof; a bar which is also located under the thatch roof; a large outdoor balcony for those who want a real outdoor dining experience; and for those who like a little exclusivity and a great view of the beautiful Negril beach there is a gazebo that seats four and overlooks the restaurant and beach. All dining areas however provide a lovely dining ambiance as one's senses are stimulated by the gentle sea breeze and the soft crashing of the waves of Caribbean Sea. Nevertheless, there is no guessing where I decided to have my lunch! Up in the sky baby!

Grilled chicken wrap and a serving of fries

Grilled chicken salad served with a tasty dressing

Freshly made fruit punch with Jamaican rum

After being ushered up to the gazebo by my waitress for the day and perusing the lunch menu I decided to try the grilled chicken wrap while my date for the day tried the grilled chicken salad. For drinks we had freshly made fruit punch with some good old Jamaican rum and piña colada respectively. The wrap  was made with fresh vegetables and succulent grilled chicken strips and a creamy sauce, served with a side of crispy fries. The grilled chicken salad was also made from the same fresh garden vegetables and tender grilled chicken, but the highlight was the tantalising sauce that was served along side the salad. Both dishes were very tasty and combined with the view and gentle breeze made a wonderful lunch experience!

Buddy one of the birds at Kuyaba

Charlie one of the birds at Kuyaba

This was not my first visit to the restaurant as I have had dinner there once while in Negril for a destination wedding. I indulged in one of their pasta offerings and I was not disappointed as it was quite a tasty meal. Kuyaba restaurant serves all three meals of the day: breakfast, lunch and dinner and at a very affordable price! Don't worry about gaining a few pounds after indulging in what they have to offer as the beach is right there for those who want to take a swim in the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea that caresses the lovely white sand Negril beach. So if you happen to be staying in Negril or passing through Kuyaba restaurant is definitely a stop worth considering! And don't forget to say high to Buddy and Charlie, the resident birds, while you are there!

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