By Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

DOVECAKES, IT has been one of those weekends dears, we are talking nothing but style here, the weekend actually got underway with the annual West Kingston charity fund-raiser, under the auspices of Member of Parliament and Opposition Leader Edward Seaga, and his wife, Carla Seaga, in Kingston.

It was not all about Kingston however, as indeed, the very up-scale Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in Montego Bay, St. James, played host to one of dining's finest events ­ the quarterly dinner by the Chaines de Rottisseurs, at a $5,000 a plate gala, that had guests celebrating the joys of fine dining.

And then there was the weekend extravaganza over there in Negril at Grand Lido Negril, for that resort's annual Epicurean Weekend Get-away; that too was another celebration of the best culinary exposition and dining that had guests jetting in from all over the culinary world, for the once in a lifetime treat. Kingston, my dears, is presently in the throes of a renewal and it's all fabulous!

Now, the city is known for its 90-day wonder as, over the years, a number of entertainment/social establishments have sprung up in various locations, to be the flavour and rave of the moment, but sadly they all seem to enjoy a lifespan of 90-days or less!

EXCITING ALTERNATIVES

In more recent times, however, the entertainment landscape has been changing and definitely for the better, as a number of exciting and new businesses have opened up, offering new and exciting alternatives, to some of the existing tired spots that people used to flock.

There have been a few exceptions to the rule of 90-day wonder, as some establishments have been constantly re-inventing themselves and their products, to cater to the ever changing taste of the clientele and keep themselves current and as such, viable.

Luvs, one such establishment, that has not only survived but has kept pace with the ever-changing times, as it constantly reviews its product and its appeal, is Carlos Café on Belmont Road, in New Kingston.

CARLOS AT THE CENTRE

Owned and operated by Carlos Max Brown, in its near 14 years of existence, the always buzzing café, has remained at the epicentre of Kingston nightlife through its innovative and diverse approach to catering to its loyal patrons, yet always managing to attract new ones without displacing its loyal supporters.

Now, for those of you in the know, the current international rage of the chic and the fashionable is the all-new Martini Bars! What is new here, however, is the scrapping of the age-old prescription for preparing and serving martinis, to embrace a funkier approach, that emfolds the diverse taste and profile of the chic and the new MBA crowd.

My dears, at the height of his chic, master spy, James Bond, made Vodka martini, shaken, not stirred, his preferred drink, and in so doing popularised the martini culture. Today, martini is an even more popular drink among the ranks of the chic, and whilst the Classic martini, (a la Bond) is still available, the new found popularity of martinis these days is due largely in part to the fact that the martini has not only been rediscovered, it has also been re-invented!

Luvs, martini bars are the only rage of the international chic these days, with such bars to be found in every major and fashionable capital and city. Their appeal ­ the fun new approach to martinis that has seen them evolve to fit with the more trendy and cosmopolitan appeal.

So, enter Carlos Café, and 'Martini Mondays', my dears, and Kingston is right there cooking with the best of them as she too serves up her own special brand of new age martinis!

A FABULOUS TIME

Dears, we experienced the rush of the new wave of martinis, and like everyone present sampling from the range of martinis on the menu, we simply had a fabulous time of it all!

Guests are treated to a martini buffet, that includes such tasty and fashionable incantations as: Lychini, the Appletini, Virgitini, The Diva Royale, the Jamtini and the Olympini ­ all fabulous concoctions that add a sense of millennium chic to an age old standard bearer of party style. And dears, it works like a charm.

Now, add to this new and exciting menu, fabulous company, a delightful fare and you all know we are talking a buzzing experience here!

Those spotted out last Monday included: Yehuda and Avil Rauer; Robbie Epstein and companion Odette Khouri; Olivier Lavoine; Marilyn Bennett; James Woods and wife, Christene Thompson; James and Marina Gill; Tom and Tracy McArdle; Donahue Jarrett; Lisa Marzouca; Stephen Robertson; Gordon Scott and wife Christina Newman; Charisse Kong; Dennis Lee; Patricia Crosbourne-Lym; Steven James; Belinda Duncan-Smith; Paul Dilworth; Elizabeth Harding; and the mother daughter Karlene and Sophia MaxBrown; plus others.

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