By Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner WriterLUVS, THIS one is way too precious not to share with you all, as its running around in polite circles faster than Hurricane Gilbert ran through upper St Andrew, back in the 80s!!
Well, you all know about the 'Cook' and the pricey little restaurant that supposedly started out as a 'gift' to snob-society, as the cook is the only one who really knows how to "cook" as all others are mere pretenders! Well, it's been a few years now since the place opened and it seems that not only has snob-society not been flocking in droves, but the place continues to foster a reputation that would make even the most ardent white collar criminal blush when it comes to art of pick-pocketing! Now, the latest in a series of incidents that left more than a rather unpleasant after-taste in the mouths and pocketbooks of a few patrons who braved the portals of the establishment in search of a gourmet experience, happened only a few weeks ago when a party of four attended at the establishment for dinner, and after what was said to be a not too spectacular a dinner, and no frills that they could explain away the bill, imagine the state of shock - no make that horror - that was visited upon the patrons when they were presented with a whopping bill of $25,000!!
Dears, they still recount the ordeal with open-mouthed disbelief!
Anyway, it has long been said that bills at this restaurant are not determined by what patrons consumed, but rather by their names and or perceived ability to pay! And so it was that after this here more recent episode of gouging, the word is that the place is to be avoided like the plague, unless of course one is prepared to fork out a mortgage payment on a one-bedroom mid-St Andrew flat, in exchange for the experience! And little wonder here as indeed, one guest is still smarting from a bill that was so incredulously out of whack that when it was questioned, to make up for the glaring inconsistencies, the bouquet that adorned the dining table was added to the bill. Mind you, not that the bouquet was presented to patrons upon their departure. Which left the particular patron still quipping today, and this is months way after the fact, about the most expensive bouquet of flowers he was forced to rent for two and a half hours!
And then there was that other whopping lunch bill of nearly $60,000 that almost saw a young senior corporate executive taking early retirement from his post as he had quite a bit of a time explaining to his superiors just how did he come to incur such a tab? As the story goes, he too was one of the regular profilers at the restaurant but on the day in question he entertained some out-of-country visitors from his parent company - the only factor for the astronomical tab! Needless to say, that none of the parties mentioned above have ever returned to the establishment in question, and they are busy spreading the word not only about the prices, but also about the haughtiness of the "cook"!...
Now, mind you all, this is not the only establishment with a history of price-gouging or suspicious tabs! As there is another trendy place across the ways, where, unless patrons are particular watchful, they find that here too they are bilked as it is not uncommon for more than one member of the same party to be given a different copy of the same tab, each paying the same bill and none the wiser for it! And here, just like at the first establishment, the service smells and it is not like roses either!
Now, more anon as there's a sting operation in the making as party society are a-planning to flush out the culprits in a most public mode to try and put an end to all of this.
HUSH-HUSH
Also visiting last weekend was international financial consultant, the faultlessly wealthy Mark Jones, who jetted in for the engagement party of the season, hosted at a tres elegant Jacks Hill residence, but anon as it was all very hush-hush but with some of St Andrew's finest in attendance.
THE JET-SET AND THE FABULOUS
And Port Antonio was cooking something fierce with the celebrrities last weekend as the place was awash with the jet-set and the fabulous as among those spotted in the picturesque little resort town was the beautiful Marge Piper Geddes, out for a little sun with family members visiting from Florida.
And Luvs, the Trident Hotel and the Blue Lagoon and those fabulously lovely villas, easily Jamaica's most internationally photographed properties over there on the San San Riviera, was where the party was at and it sizzled fabulousness like it was the only thing happening!
LATE SUMMER HOLIDAY
Lord and Lady Nigel Pemberton guested with security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin over the weekend. The real estate mogul who makes Round Hill his home away from home when not in London, is making it a late summer holiday as he and his family will be holidaying over there in Montego Bay until late September!...
CHAMPAGNE WISHES, MY DEARS
It seems that love is definitely in the air as the word is it is definitely a March 04 wedding for Peter Bovell and his financee, the beautiful Donnia Gomez, and the bet is it will be a Port of Spain wedding, but more to come- Then yesterday the charming Dawn King, marked her birthday celebrations at home with family members, the party is to follow later, however!
Tomorrow it will all be about Assistant UN Secretary-General, Angela King, as she celebrates her birthday! The word here, however, is that it will be a private affair, restricted to family members and the very closest of family friends.
Champagne wishes all around, my dears.
SPECIAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
And still speaking of birthdays: Doves, the fabulous and celebrated Jessica Jones, celebrated a very special birthday last week Saturday, the venue was the very fashionable "Up On The Roof" restaurant and hot-spot owned and managed by the very charming doyenne of tres chic, Johanna Thwaites, located over there atop the Roof of the building housing the Epiphany Club, on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston, that was one almighty charming affaire that was so fab, it was all that and then some as guests are still a-talking about it!
No, will not say just which particular milestone the birthday girl was celebrating but beloveds she was every inch and essence the picture of radiance as she and a critically hand-picked short-list of family and friends gathered under the stars to mark the occasion in an air of relaxed festivity, and how!
Dovecakes, the restaurant was closed for the occasion, but it never stopped a stream of would-be patrons from climbing the stairs to try and gain access for the smart restaurant that has become the new home for the City's fabulous. Alas this was not to be as indeed, the restaurant was closed for a private affaire and this of course was much to the chagrin of those who had ventured out for a night out.
This, however, was not the case for the specially invited guests, out to share in the spirit of celebration to mark a very special birthday to honour the lifetime of memories and experiences shared on the way to the special milestone.
And so it was, as guests gathered 'Up on The Roof" the buzz was: it was all about toasting the beauty and bounties of life and the blessings of family and friends, and the mood was perfect! Amidst a fabulous array of flowers and a most delicious buffet of nibblies, guests simple gave themselves over to the moments and the enjoyment thereof! And it made for a wonderful affair! Among the specially invited grouping out sharing in the celebrations, included: birthday girls' mom, the charming Zeta Jones; Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Jones; Douglas and Michelle Orane; Richard and Paula Jackson; Pat Francis; celebrated singer Bob Andy; James Samuels; Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Langford Oliver Magnus and companion Sonita Morin Abrahams; Alfred Francis and his companion the lovely Diane Ellis; and Michael Bernard; plus a number of others.
