By Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance WriterJamaica Pegasus, Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston
Phone: 926-3690
WELL, WELL, well Caribbean Fashionweek 2004 is all over and what a hullabaloo. Kingston was brimming with beautiful models from all our exotic isles and, of course, from abroad, while our 'normal' women and men spent three days steaming with wonder and lusting over it all.
There were parties everywhere, starting with the Gala Evening on Thursday. There was much imbibing under the stars and moon at the Jamaica Pegasus, New Kingston. At the Villa Ronai in Stony Hill, St. Andrew, on Saturday night a mass of sweaty bodies did their thing to our Caribbean sounds. The Asylum Nightclub in New Kingston was unbelievably full every night with the young, the groovy and the dancehall chic, while at the Quad -- maybe we should not even touch what went on in Quad because even moi was seen there Saturday with two international top designers, Barbadians Simon Foster & Peter Bowen dancing 'til di place close dung. And, yep, my back is out again and this time Mr. Kenneth Maxwell is indeed performing his miraculous Reiki at a ferocious rate in order to allow me to show my daughter (one of the models) my beautiful Jamaica.
The Jamaica Pegasus of course was the venue of Fashionweek -- every inch of it crawling with the hip, the beautiful, the ugly, the downtown, the uptown, Chefs and restaurateurs, designers, photographers, the media, doctors and lawyers. You name it dem were dere and with an amazing array of beauty hitting the catwalk twice a night bedecked in the best of what our designers have to offer, how could you blame them. Among the madding crowd obviously was I and more than obviously always hungry. And you know what I do when mi hungry? I review.
THE CAFE DELI ROOM
For lunch on Friday I decided to try the seafood buffet at the Café Deli room. I love the décor, the artwork, the tables refreshingly colourful with those large windows spilling nature and water (view of the pool) right into the eating area. Sweet. The buffet itself was actually quite attractively set up. Two problems though -- no spoons to serve and no person behind the counter to help. Once that was sorted out, all was well except for another little hitch and I would know how to sort that out if the gentleman concerned was my employee for it was all about his sour face. Sad.
Marcia, our waitress, on the other hand, was a dream -- her pleasantness removing all disappointments of the mostly tasteless food. I mean, are we Caribbean people or what? Why do some hotels feel that spice and herbs are not edibles? It's not about hot peppery spice just plain, old honest to goodness wonderful spice. And as for the herbs -- well, hello, they are local, inexpensive and make all the difference to our foods for crying out loud.
BLAND AND RUBBERY
The saltfish had every bit of salt boiled out of it, leaving it bland. Thank God for the tomato and onion. The crab backs were extremely dark in colour, looking burned really, but it was not about that -- whatever was used in the ingredients caused the darkness and, quite frankly, did nothing for the crab meat itself. Then there was the Seafood Melange. I am guessing that was the name for I got no answer from Mr. Sour and frankly forgot to read the notice next to the dish. Whatever it was, it was definitely flavourless. The white sauce, obviously made with much flour/cornflour and little cheese -- if that was supposed to be an ingredient in the first place. The breaded shrimp was fabulous in presentation and 'unfabulous' in taste. Shrimp is difficult, I know, but my suggestion to the chef would be simply to have someone deep-fry them right before your eyes so that 'rubberiness' does not happen. If that is not an option, then just put out a few for presentation and keep bringing them out nice and fresh. I mean, they would have been perfect had they been treated with the respect shrimp deserve.
The pastas were good -- how can you go wrong with pasta salads. The cauliflower was simply cauliflower and I love cauliflower. The tamarind juice was delicious. All in all the buffet was okay but again, where's the oomph? Why can't we the 'eaters' simply have some oomph?
Friday night I had a marlin sandwich, again from the Café Deli. Great service from the night staff (it was late) and the sandwich was well presented with lots of marlin, fresh and delicious olive bread and a good serving of garnish in the form of greens. I would have loved some capers (maybe even a little cream cheese) but these were not to be had. In fact, the waitress had not a clue what a caper was. 'Twas a quick and tasty snack -- more like a meal really as the sandwich was huge. Lovely.
BRASSERIE FOR BREAKFAST.
Sunday morning was the best -- straight from Quad and into the Brasserie for breakfast. Although not everything was ready on arrival, we had pleasant staff who, thinking us quite hilarious, fed us lots of fruits to keep us munching until the real thing happened.
I wanted my Bajan friends to have a full Jamaican breakfast but, alas, this hotel's idea of that was johnnie cake and saltfish --
nutting else. The rest was about eggs, bacon, ham etc. However, all in all everything was good and I can honestly say that breakfast at The Jamaica Pegasus is fine.
More than anything, I commend the service all over the hotel. Two models -- Sara Collins and Tenile Stoute -- were ecstatic about their room service, saying it was equal to none.
I also want to thank Kenneth Samuels, one of the most prestigious butlers employed at one of our most important embassies here in Kingston. Mr. Samuels and I discussed the attitude towards service and because we both agreed fully on this sentence I will end on this note -- service is not servitude.
Rosemary Parkinson was last seen leaving Kingston towards 'country' on a motorised wheelchair with a siren. Her 'screechings' hopefully to be calmed by
the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the peace of the outdoors.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Some revelations regarding my Calabash story last week.
Jocelyne Joshua, whose photo appeared with the review, does not leave Kingston to sneak curry goat. She is a fish-eating vegetarian and was in fact stuffing her face with ackee and saltfish.
Mr. Stewart Maxwell did not leave Kingston to perform Reiki at Calabash, 'twas a Mr. Bramwell who did that to me! You see what an aching back can do? Give you a demented mind that's for sure. Sorry.
