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My First All Inclusive Part 1

2 Apr

 

Its official I'm at Sandals Montego Bay!

I never need an excuse to go anywhere in the Caribbean and this time I got a chance to go down to Jamaica for a destination wedding being held at Sandals Montego Bay, which is an all-inclusive, meaning all you can eat and all you can drink.  Sandals Montego Bay (MOBAY) located on the northwestern side of the island is about maybe 10 minutes from Sangster International Airport. 

Sandals

 

Upon arriving to the hotel I was greeted by a staff that was friendly and more than willing to assist with making sure that I didnt to lift a finger, from taking the luggage out of the taxi for me, to presenting cold pressed and lemon grass scented towels, I was more than impressed.  I was immediately taken to the check-in area where I was made award of all of the amenities that Sandals has to  offer, from being able to eat and play at the other 2 Sandals locations within the area, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Carlyle in which their are free shuttles going to all 3  properties, excursions, activities on the beach in which some were free and some in which involved cost.

For me the most important was that it was ALL INCLUSIVE, eat and drink all you want.  Sandals, Mobay featured a number of on site dining options such Italian, Asian, pub food and of course local Jamaican favorites (some which are  featured, others which were “special orders”.

 

Tokyo Joes

Tokyo Joes

Red Peas Soup

Stewfish Beachside Restaurant

"Inside" Stewfish Beachside Restaurant-open to the elements

Ackee and Saltfish, Fried Dumplin and Sauteed Cabbage and Carrot

A plate of freshly fried sweet plantain

Beachside Bar

Rum on display

Assorted Jamaican rums on display, including Appleton and Wray and Nephew

The Cricketers Pub

What a balancing act!

Starfruit also known as "Carambola"

 

Escoveitch Fish served on the buffet line, traditional escoveitch fish is typically whole with the head on, and spiced with scotch bonnet peppers

Stay tuned for the upcoming post featuring more of the grounds of the resort and my trip to the Craft Market.

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The Cup

5 Feb

 

Gelato from The Cup @ Crystals

 A must see while in Las Vegas is the newly opened MGM Mirage’s City Center mixed use development, which was reportedly one of the biggest and most expensive projects in recent years on the Las Vegas strip.  City Center, has a number of hotels and casinos, such as Mandarin Oriental, Aria, Vdara, Veer Tower, and Crystals retail, dining and entertainment center.  While walking through Crystals, I “linked up” (Caribbean for caught up to)  with an employee giving out mango and strawberry smoothie samples. I asked her where I could get more and she said, the Cup.  Check out my video for the Cup below: 

City Center

http://www.citycenter.com/

3780 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Phone number: 866.722.7171

Crystals
3720 S Las Vegas Blvd.,
Las Vegas, Nevada 89158

Phone number: 866.754.CITY (2489)

The Cup

http://www.thecuplv.com/

Phone number: 702.895.7103

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Last Day in Vegas

4 Feb
So….. now the party is almost over and its the last day in Las Vegas. Its time to check out of  The Mirage, but guess “wah”, (Caribbean translation for what) the big guy is hungry! With a few hours left before I catch the red eye back to Atlanta, I gotta see if I can fit in another Las Vegas landmark.  I got a few suggestions of going to different well known buffets, but I wanted to try somwhere that is good but maybe not as well known. A valet at the hotel suggested I try, “The Peppermill”.  He said the Peppermill has been a family owned Vegas staple for 30 plus years and the serving portions are large. I said that is it, Peppermill it is. 
The Peppermill, actually called The Peppermill and Fireside Lounge, is a lounge on one side and a neon-lit 24-hour diner on the other.   The Peppermill is definately a spot you must check while in Vegas.  Big ups to the Peppermill!

My head is thinking right now ah wah deh... Translation What have I gotten myself into?

Mediterranean Omelet with Hashbrowns
The Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge
2985 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
http://www.peppermilllasvegas.com/

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Serendipity 3

26 Jan

The menu at Serendipity is about as big as me

In the Caribbean we feed the craving for sweets with a “Sweet T”. Sweet T, is usually any piece candy that would satisfy a sweet tooth. Upon leaving the Shops at the Palazzo, I asked a few employees about a good place to get dessert that was relatively close. The resounding answer… Serendipity 3.

Serendipity 3 was a few blocks walking distance on the Las Vegas strip located very close to Caesars Palace. It’s a place you can’t miss – with a large ceramic sculpture of frozen hot chocolate at the entrance, and its neon pink and orange decor.

I think the best way to describe Serendipity 3 is old school diner with a new wave twist. The menu features basic diner staples with a creative flair and HUGE portions. Of all the items on the menu, the one that caught my eye was the “S’mores Hot Chocolate.” The graham crackers, hot chocolate and marshmallow combination just felt right… and boy was it ever a wicked choice!

Check out the picts from my trip to Serendipity 3 below. Serendipity 3 gets a bigups!

Serendipity

The best landmark in the world, A giant frozen hot chocolate! Just enough for the big guy..

The walkway to Smores Deluxe Hot Chocolate Heaven

The kitchen, where the magic happens

Smores Deluxe Hot Chocolate

This is what the hot chocolate looked like before

And this is the after picture of the hot chocolate

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Vegas Baby!

17 Jan

New Years in Vegas 2011

I am kicking off of my first blog post of 2011, with a look into Sin City otherwise known as Las Vegas.  I mean why not start off the New Year with a bang, by now I think everyone has seen the movie the Hangover my trip (believe you me) was nowhere close to that but it was a good time.  I almost “lost my shirt” but not my pants.  First stop was to the hotel.  I checked into The Mirage on December 30 located on the world famous strip, located across from the Venetian, next to Ceasars Palace.  Due to arriving Vegas a little late in the day, it was time to find food.

Dinner was spent at a restaurant that I have been to a few times… Sushi Samba located at the shops at the Palazzo.  I originally ate at a Sushi Samba location in Miami, Florida about 3 years when I went down for their annual Caribbean Carnival celebration (which takes place Columbus Day weekend).  Sushi Samba is a fusion of Brazilian, Peruvian, and Japanese foods. Appetizers for the evening included Peruvian Corn (wicked with a light sprinkling of sea salt), and Soy Glazed Sea Bass on skewers which were perfectly seared and melted away as soon as you taste it. 

Peruvian Corn from Sushi Samba

Drawing from the Japanese influence of the menu picked out 2 sushi rolls the El Topo which is a cooked piece of salmon, a top a typical sushi sized rolled with jalapeño, shiso leaf, fresh crispy onion, with melted mozzarella cheese.  The second roll was the Samba Dromo Roll which featured cooked Maine lobster, mango, tomato, chive, crispy rice, soy paper, a cold dipping peanut curry sauce.

El Topo Roll at Sushi Samba

To wash all of this down Sushi Samba features a number of flavored Cruzan rum mojitos such as coconut, mango, and pineapple to name a few (Cruzan Rum is from St. Croix, USVI  my birthplace).  Other signature cocktails include the Caipirinha which is the national cocktail of Brazil, typically made from cachaca, a spirit derived from sugarcane.  I figured after some light eats it was time to find a second food stop for dessert.  Next stop, Serendipidity…….

Sushi Samba is definitely a must eat for anyone that is into the fusion food movement.

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