Montego Bay's THE BOATHOUSE GRILL is great (1-21-25)

 We drove the 15 minutes up the road to the Boathouse just outside of downtown on the Blue Lagoon section of the Caribbean and were greeted by the ferry boatman who took us across the 20 foot stretch of water to the anchored restaurant; it was akin to crossing the River Styx, but not as ominous. We were a bit worried when they could not find out reservation, but they rectified it quickly when we realize the mistake was partly mine and partly the hotel's concierge as I had asked for Tuesday the 20th and it was Tuesday the 21st! OOPS! They brought us upstairs to the roof to a table for four overlooking the bay and the twinkling lights of the towns west of Montego Bay. It was really beautiful, and the weather was perfect. The prices here were way lower than the hotels as well as the wines were as low as $30US! Swe ordered an Oyster Bat Sauvignon Blanc and a Chilean Frontiera Chardonnay as the food here is SEAfood. We thanked manager Patricia profusely for fitting us in when the place was full and proceeded to order. Leon was very helpful telling us which dishes were spicier and such and we settled in on a Grilled Calamari with Tomato Concasse and Capers in a Nut Brown Butter which was indeed spicier in some places than Leon explained. Will called it an "explosion of excitement in my mouth." The Panko Crusted Lobster Cake with Dijon Mustard Mayo was huge and while not all lobster, had a goodly amount. My Panko Crusted Grilled Garlic Shrimp came with a kalamata Olive, Tomato & Garlic Mayo to dip them in which was superb. 

Main courses were also delicious and full of flavor and spices. Baked Snapper Fillet was Almond Panko Crusted with Roasted Red Pepper Cream, Parmesan Risotto Cake, Dijon Vinaigrette and Veggie Slaw that everyone raved about. The presentation (check out the FB fotos) was also gorgeous. Spicy Peel and Eat Pepper Shrimp with Scotch Bonnet Beurre Blanc that kicked ass was an appetizer that Will had as a main and loved, while Sauteed Leomon Pepper Garlic Shrimp came with brandied Sauce Homard, Classic Parmesan Risotto and Macedoine of Vegetables. My Live Caribbean Spiny Lobster was Split and Grilled with Brandy & White Wine and fab spices and served with Garlic Baguette(two cute miniatures sized about 3 inches long and 1.2 and inch wide!) and Caesar Salad. The Lobster trap is located under a glass floor on the entrance of the boat below and we saw it, but I just told them a 1 to 1-1/2 pound lobster they chose would be fine. It was one of the best lobsters I have ever had in my life, and definitely the best Spiny Lobster!

Dessert was yummy creamy Devon Stour Ice Cream & Vanilla Ice Cream, Banana Cake and my Creme Brulee that was a tad too thick and rich and too sweet served in a deep coffee-like cup with a gooey top that was not brittle.; no prizes there. We all had a ball and really loved the ambiance and setting as well.

Montego Bay's The SUGAR MILL at Half Moon Resort is ravishing (1-20-25)

Our second night here on the island we headed over to The SUGAR MILL which is a beautiful spot with a very ruined sugar mill but great service in an elegant setting across the street from the luxurious Half Moon Resort, where my sister spent her first honeymoon in 1970!

We had fabulous drinks at the bar beforehand with Stephon and our friend Ronnie discovered her new local drink favorite Campari & Ting (a local grapefruit soda). We moved to our table just below the mill and settled in with the huge menus and then our fabulous server Keneisha surprised us with a duck special and we had to rethink our choices. Dwight was a trainee (his last name was Downer!) and he brought delicious homemade breads: white, wheat, spicy, thyme with cornmeal and festive(a slightly sweet cornmeal) along with three dips: avocado, yogurt & onion; beetroot and yogurt; spicy escabeche which we loved.

We ordered a white and red wine (again at exorbitant prices) starting with a Sassoregale 2022 Vermintino from Tuscany and moving on to a delicious Marques de Murrieta 2020 Reserva Rioja.

The food was all beyond delicious and everything was served with perfect timing and no rush. Cassava Crepe came with ackee, pak choi and oven thyme-roasted pumpkin with a roasted cho-cho chutney. The Jamaican salad was a ton of Romaine with Jerk Cashews, Breadfruit cracker, tomatoes and a Garlic-Plantain dressing that would embarrass a good Caesar. The Pimento Wood Smoked Marlin Tartare was out of this world with Hackleback Caviar(I couldn't find it), baby greens and Tomato Salsa and the Crayfish Bisque with Annatto & Seaweed was poured tableside and was absolutely melt in your mouth creamy heaven.

The main courses were just as thrilled with the Lemon Jerk Marinated Chicken Supreme being on the spicy side with Pommery Dijon Mustard, Bhutan Berry(?), Lime Juice, Rice & Peas Risotto. Fried Plantains with Maple Syrup were a side I like but declared to be too undercooked by some. The Soloman's Brochette was a huge show flambeed tableside with aged Rum and the skewer had beef (that was cooked so just past rare and tender!), pork, sausage (Will's fave) fish and lobster (that was as tender as could be).

The Pan Seared Duck Breast Special came with blueberry sauce, jerk potatoes au gratin that were oh so rich and creamy, grilled asparagus and spicey fruit chutney, a dream duck dish indeed.

Guess what...we were pretty stuffed so only one Vegan Chocolate Cake and a scoop of Coconut Ginger Sorbet were the desserts.

The meal was not just a step above the night prior, it was a whole different level, and we hope the food is as good for the coming days.

The Seaview Terrace at Round Hill, Montego Bay, Jamaica is just okay (1-19-25)

 Here at Round Hill in Jamaica there are not alot of dining options as the dining room is the terrace and then some nights, they offer beach BBQs or curry night, but we wanted to dine here on our first night as we were exhausted from the trip.

The four of us settled in and were shocked by the wine prices as everything was over $80...even a bottle that sells for $14 in the USA! Add tax and service charge of 18% to everything and it gets pretty high. We loved the Chardonnay from Turk Winery in Kerschbaum in Austria and also the yummy red blend from Josh Cellars called Josh Legacy which was listed as 2020 but delivered as 2022.

The "Ebanks Farm" Carrot soup was yummy but had more flavor from the Ginger, & Turmeric than the carrots. The "Whitehouse" Seafood Casserole was listed as Shrimp, Crab, Smoked Marlin, Lobster, Coconut Cream, Chives and Pasta and the latter was the major ingredient with a huge glob of cheese on top. It was a filling starter, and Will chose it for his main but his had even less seafood than mine! They took the charge off for him.

The Snapper main with native coconut callaloo, succotash, tomato, okra, corn, fresh herbs and lime came in a tad too dry and the "St. Mary's" Green Plantain Mofongo with cream sauce, akee and Scotch bonnet peppers had a nice kick and was a pretty good veggie dish, but did not get raves.

Dessert was passionfruit sorbet, a kicky Scotch Bonnet Ice Cream and my Honey Thyme Panna Cotta with Brandy Snapp, Yogurt Creme Anglaise and Honey was refreshing.

We shall see what another resort down the coast has to offer this evening.

Arlington's LA COTE d'Or delivers!! (1-7-24)

 We recently saw a friend's post on Facebook about how wonderful La Cote d'Or was and remarked that it was years, actually decades since we last visited this teeny French bistro on the Arlington/Falls Church line, a mere 15 minutes from our home.

We arranged to meet a friend there for dinner last night and needless to say, with the post snow apocalypse, there were two other occupied tables: one couple that left about 30 minutes after we arrived (they were on the early bird special for $30!) and one woman who apparently comes in multiple times each week! We reviewed the menus and there were many wonderful choices for a la carte as well as super fixed-price 3-course menus at $40, $50 and $60 including vegetarian and vegan options! This is indeed a lot of options for such a tiny place. The tables are cozy, but not too close and the atmosphere is warm and homey. Jorge and the servers are friendly and helpful, and Chef Jacques even came out to chat with us. He is a gem, and we were so impressed with ALL the food that we know we will be back.

We heard the early bird couple mention special wine night Tuesday and quickly ordered the $28 bottle of Domaine de las Bastide 2023 Cotes du Rhone, a red blend that goes so well with everything; indeed, we polished off nearly two bottles. The French bread arrived and was warm, crusty and irresistible! I only wish the butter was a tad softer.

We all ordered the French Onion Soup Gratinee that was simply perfect on this frigid wintry night. The Swiss cheese was gooey and browned to perfection and the beef stock was loaded with yummy, caramelized onions.

Calves' Liver is one of my favorites and two of us ordered the Lyonnaise style dish again smothered in caramelized onions and served with potatoes, an adorable potato puff, a fabulous stuffed mushroom and ratatouille.  The Steak Tartare is only available as a main course and when it arrived with the side of Frites, Will was amazed as it must have been a pound of gorgeously seasoned and hashed meat. The meat had a great mustard accent and was really excellent. I only wish it was on the menu as an appetizer!!

Dessert is included in the3-course meals and was delish, but also large portions. The Poires Belle Helene was a special with poached pears in red wine sauce and I loved the Isles Flotantes (Floating Islands) made of light fluffy meringue on a sea of Creme Anglaise. Will ordered is Apple Tarte Tatin to go as he was so full from the tartare!

We felt like we were back in Bordeaux and really loved the kind, welcoming and friendly service as well as the amazing bistro food that La Cote d'Or delivers!