Staff WriterThe sixth annual Restaurant Week Jamaica kicks off November 13, 2010 and runs through November 20. The seven-day culinary celebration is bigger than ever this year with a record 60 restaurants spanning Kingston, Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. The event will offer some of Jamaica’s best meals at prices discounted by at least 30%. Patrons will feast on prix fixe menus from a full range of origins such as Chinese, Japanese, Mediterranean, Italian, Indian, French and Jamaican for prices from $17-45. Restaurant Week Jamaica is endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board and sponsored by the Gleaner newspaper.
Last year, Restaurant Week made big moves, expanding to include not only Kingston but also the North Coast cities of Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Additionally, this year Restaurant Week introduces Hardy’s as the event’s official wine, offering diners the option to purchase recommended wine pairings to complement their meals. Continuing last year’s trend, bars and nightclubs will be included for an after-dinner experience. Patrons of Restaurant Week will be eligible for drinks “on the house” at participating nightclubs, including Village Blues Bar, Club Privilege, and Fiction among others. This year’s official Restaurant Week cocktail is a blend of world famous Appleton Rum and Pure Country Juices, both local to Jamaica.
“With its unique indigenous dishes and exotic fruits, Jamaican cuisine is truly a taste worth traveling for,” Jamaica’s Director of Tourist John Lynch commented. “Jamaica has a dynamic culinary culture and year after year, Restaurant Week provides the opportunity to experience adventures in tastes for less. Though Jamaica’s signature jerk cuisine is worth the trip, travelers may be surprised to find a range of exquisite international dining options as well.”
“Jamaica has an exceptional roster of restaurants and it’s to the enduring credit of all our discerning diners that the country is now being established as a foodie haven,” says Stephanie Scott, organizer of the week-long event which promotes the concept of dining out all year round.
Food lovers can experience rustic old-style Jamaica at the newly renovated Grog Shoppe, located in the historic Devon House, a 19th-century stately mansion located in Kingston. Others may indulge in the sophisticated Northern Italian dishes at Evita’s in Ocho Rios, or Marguerite’s in Montego Bay, which offers elegant fare and magnificent waterfront views. A unique dining experience can be found at The Houseboat Grill in Montego Bay, a restaurant actually housed in an open air boat moored just off-shore. Patrons ring a bell upon arrival and a member of the staff pulls the boat across to pick up their new guests.
Beyond cuisine, visitors can also indulge their other senses with a full range of arts-related attractions like museums and art galleries, music, dance and theater.
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