By Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance Writer
Local Vine Ripe Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese with Sweet Basil and Balsamic Vinaigrette.
Phone: (876) 974-2514
Fax: (876) 974-2449
E-mail: jaminn@cwjamaica.com
Web site: www.jamaicainn.com
FOR THOSE who have enquired -- no, I haven't gone to roost. Between the printer's devil, the deep blue sea and modern technology, my reviews got 'lost'.
I do believe, however, that my next two stories will bring some pleasurable moments as I make you green with envy (hehe) for I have had a most amazing two weeks.
Hello, life in the Caribbean is a glorious t'ing.
Thanks must go to Air Jamaica for opening those closed-and-ready-to-take-off doors for me in true island stylee. Montego Bay, Friday July 16: I was late, and wrong, and I bow my head in shame, but, I do love you now more than ever. Barbados was my destination and you delivered me safe and sound.
On arrival my friend and I hit Charlie's Bar on Worthing Main Road with a wham (great nosh, fabulous rums, super Charlie!) and, of course, the Reggae Lounge on The Gap where Jamaican flags were delivered to add to others from all over the world. Hello, you can't 'ave ah place wid name like dat and no Jah flag. No Sah!
Oops, nearly forgot, attended the new Barbados Designers Association's fashion show at Sherbourne Conference Centre that made Caribbean Fashion Week seem just a tad disorganised. Digicel (taking Barbados by storm) was the big sponsors and Peter of Simon/Peter Designs did a grand job. If you see backstage you would swear it was New York or London or even Paris. Last, but not least I partook of some fabulous 'Bajan food' from my beloved Miss Harriett at Bridgetown's new market followed by copious amounts of pudding and souse from my Eagle Hall Granny. Sweet.
WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF
Now back in Jah Jah land -- another 'green with envy' story. Yep, I knew there was no way my Jamaica would allow 'Buhbayduss' to show me a good time without a little 'counteraction'. I am writing this review on a bed that perhaps Marilyn Monroe rolled her beautiful body on, her new husband Arthur Miller (I am sure) looking at her with lust in his eyes from the balcony that sits over the water's edge whilst Noel Coward, Errol Flynn and Ian Fleming fight with witty words for stools up at the bar and Winston Churchill paint beautiful water-colours on the glorious promontory that is part and parcel of the White Room.
Portland again you might think?
Wrong.
It's all about Ocho Rios and Jamaica Inn -- a touch of class wherein time has stood absolutely still. In this simply elegant room the past surrounds me with a comforting warmth. Delightful days of simple pleasures -- listening to the lapping of the sea against the rocks, the rays of sunset touching the antique couch outside, that soft orange glow entering the room through jalousie windows as the breeze just lightly touches my body lying amongst pillows of white and printed blue seashells. A bedside cocktail, a lover arriving by row boat to whisk me away for candlelight dinner on the secluded beach. Okay, okay, so I'm getting carried away. Then again this hotel is what dreams are made of.
Jamaica Inn has not changed much since it opened its doors in 1950. Built by an American newspaper publisher (44 rooms on 11 acres of land -- can you imagine?) and purchased eight years later by Matthew Archibald and Charlie Morrow, it has been in the capable hands of the latter's sons, Peter and Eric who, together with their great team (hi Mary, Terry, and Nicole), make visiting here an experience of a lifetime.
Having arrived from Montego Bay at about 4:00 (try and believe this -- Gaunt, who has a twin brother named Gauntlet -- yep, you're allowed to giggle, I certainly did) showed me to my breathtaking room. Once my senses settled from delight to sheer ecstasy to absolute peace, it was definitely time for tea. Sandwiches with no crust -- was the Queen of England here? Maybe not 'cause there was no cucumber. Instead, we had tomato, tuna and cheese all neatly cut into those perfect triangles that a good English tea brings. Delicious cookies and slices of sponge cake were also in attendance. Delving into an order breadfruit chunks, fried to perfection with three different delicious sauces -- guacamole, hummus and a spicy sweet & sour -- was, to say the least, pure divine wickedness.
After a leisurely bath with natural in-house body products, feeling exotic and vibrant, dinner time arrived. There was candlelight and sweet old-time music from the resident band. Through the twinkling lights from the water below Errol Flynn approached me. Sitting beside me, he flirted, touching my hand, caressing my...and then ... the waiter brought the menu and I was back to 2004.
WHO THOUGHT A JACK FISH COULD TASTE SO GOOD
Geez! This place is spooky with reality checks a necessity. For starters, I chose Local Vine Ripe Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese with Sweet Basil and Balsamic Vinaigrette. Soup was a refreshing Chilled Potato and Leek Vichyssoise with Garlic Croutons followed by Organic Mixed Green Lettuce with crispy Wanton Heart of Palm and Papaya Dressing.
For my entrée I picked Pan Seared Fillet of Red Jack Fish crusted with Herb Butter set on Tomato Black Olive Sauce. Now who thought a Jack Fish could taste so good. Not moi for sure. But Jimmy, our lovely waiter, said it would and it did.
My companion chose Rosemary Influenced Supreme Chicken Breast with Spicy Pumpkin and Ginger Stuffing. Hmmm. It was naturally exceptional. The dessert table produced a coconut pie that forced me straight to bed; the sound of water against rock at my window lulling me into a deep sleep filled with very, very, very imaginative dreams. I rose at dawn finishing this here review as the sun slowly crept in to wake the town; the smell of coffee luring me over to my private veranda where a most delightful breakfast spread beckoned me.
Heaven.
For all you Jazz lovers out there, Jamaica Inn and Royal Plantation present Jazz on the Riviera this weekend with Jazz sensation Nicole Henry -- her album is currently number 10 on the Billboard's Jazz Vocal Chart. Jamaica Inn is offering weekend packages or just enjoy the Sunday Brunch and/or the 5 Course Gourmet Dinner under the stars with Miss Henry. You will not regret it.
Marilyn, Noel, Errol and Ian (don't forget Winston with a good ol' Jamaica Royal Cigar between his lips) will all be there. Do not doubt that for one minute.
Rosemary Parkinson and Marilyn Monroe were last seen digging for crinoline and ribbons in Pablo's to make a 50's CanCan. Miss Rose is no longer a well puppy.
