Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor
LEFT: Owner Melissa serves up a delish Chicken Satay. RIGHT: Chinese chef Jackson (front) and Jamaican Jim Stewart ensure all meals are tasty. At left, Sweet and Sour Pork, Chicken in Scallion and Ginger and Spring Rolls were all lovely. - PHOTOS BY ROSEMARY PARKINSON
Ming Town Chinese Restaurant
10 Gloucester Ave., Montego Bay.
Open daily: 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tel: 952-1638, 979 0770
Take-outs available.
I REALLY have a bad taste in my mouth and it's called JPS (Jamaica Public Service). Over the last eight months my electric bill has gone from $6,000 to $30,000. But what really takes the cake: My apartment locked up for one solid month, with two dull lights left on for security reasons, has produced a bill for $10,000.
I have to admit - on my return from the U.S.A., I did find a dead rat inside and can only surmise this rat must have died from a heart attack during dancehall parties and cook-ups he and his friends held, illegally and nightly, on my premises. Nothing else can help me understand why, in my absence, I should have such a bill. The story of my 'back and forth' with JPS is far too long, too annoying to describe. Suffice it to say and that I might be in darkness soon because of my refusal to pay unless they send a technician to read my meter in my presence - especially after another three weeks off the island.
STRIP OF CHOICES
It's been awhile since I actually took a good look at the Hip Strip in Montego Bay - I had somehow mostly found it pretty boring. But something is happening. I don't know if it's the nearing tourist season or the fact that we already have an influx of visitors on the island, but passing through on Saturday night, I felt a kind of revival going on. Something in the air as they say.
First, I must mention a great little bar to meet friends, play a little pool and listen to some great music in the afternoons - Po'k Knockers - off of Buccaneer Beach Hotel on Kent Avenue, White Sands.
Approaching the Hip Strip from the town side, the action actually begins with The Brewery (review coming up), the ever-full and ever-good Pelican Restaurant always at the helm with its constantly good nosh. Burger King shows a hive of activity 'though I do have a small beef: Have been there three times over a period of time for one of the few 'fast-food snacks' I allow myself, only to hear: "Sorry, we are out of
onion rings."
On a third visit, I enquired as to whether 'out of onion rings' meant sold out, out of stock, or no onion rings in de island period? Finally an answer - no onion rings in stock. A further push brought: "no onion rings in de island." When can Burger King expect onion rings? "We don't know," was the answer. So take the onion rings off the menu then! Or put up a sign then! Please? Any thoughts, by the way, about producing onion rings right here on the island?
Margaritaville is kicking, Coral Cliff a hive of activity. Marguerites, Blue Beat Cocktail Bar making notes. The Townhouse Restaurant has found 'newish' premises on the seaside. The Bobsled Café appears bursting at the seams, The Groovy Grouper on the beautiful beach of Doctor's Cave getting its share of the madding crowd. Nikita's sign warns that something is going on there and hopefully, this restaurant will soon open its doors. Closer to the official end of the Hip Strip, suddenly there's a Pizza place, a lively bar and what I will concentrate on - a tiny little Chinese restaurant I have been eating at, almost weekly - Ming Town.
Owned and operated by a
husband and wife team with strange names for two people who hardly speak English and are obviously very Chinese - Jackson and Melissa, this restaurant has a Jamaican in the kitchen. Jim Stewart tells me he has had about 10 years of experience in Chinese cuisine having worked at Lychee Gardens (defunct), absolutely loves preparing this fare and enjoys working at Ming Town's kitchen with Jackson. Jim's smile while shaking those woks certainly denotes that and I just love to eat where people who have their hand on my food, enjoy what they do, don't you?
DELICIOUS AND AFFORDABLE
Prices at Ming Town range from $90 for a Wonton Soup to $1,600 for a Roast Duck - the latter requiring a one-day advance order. I have eaten well there every time for an average of J$700 for two people - which I consider to be excellent. Cheaper to eat out actually than to cook at home - I have an electric stove!
Melissa's friendliness and helpful hints as to what to try next, the attentiveness of their young waitress and naturally, the good food has me stuck on Ming Town. I enjoy their Sweet and Sour Pork. It's always freshly cooked and crunchy on the outside, the meat tender within, the sauce not too sweet. I have had a great Satay Beef too and the last time I stopped to pick up a take-out - their Fried Wontons, Spring Rolls and Chicken with Scallion and Ginger were equally good.
This is a restaurant with no frills. Simple in design, clean, the traditional fish tank filled with colourful fish, the only décor. Be prepared to wait a tad for everything is cooked to order. Just writing this review with the menu here right close to me, I am once again in the Chinese food mood. So today I think it's going to be about Pepper Salt Shrimps, Steamed Pork in Sour Plum and a Special Fried Rice with Shrimp, Cha Shao and Chicken. Cannot wait!
Note: For those who celebrate Thanksgiving, Rib Kage on Constant Spring Road, Kingston has a very special menu this evening - so try and get yourself a reservation, I hear it is going to be quite a happening and, of course, happy Thanksgiving!
"Remember to stop as often as necessary to reconnect your energy. Stay full, stay in a state of love. Remember that once you achieve this state of love, nothing, nor anyone can pull more energy from you than you can replace." The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield.
