KRW: Guilt Trip

As you all should know by now, Kingston Restaurant Week (KRW) is here and almost all of Kingston is taking the opportunity to dine at the better restaurants for a discounted price. I too am one of the large throng of people who want to enjoy some good food for the right price. This time I didn't have a date, so I opted for a group outing with some of my coworkers and their friends. The destination of choice was Guilt Trip.

I have never had food at Guilt Trip, but I often heard that their pastry was good. So when they suggested that they wanted to go there due to the financial constraints, I agreed as I too am under some financial crunch with the possibility of buying a new TV looming. So it was off to Guilt Trip on Saturday night for a 9:00 pm reservation. by the time I got there it seemed all of Kingston was there as I couldn't find any parking in the plaza, even after circling a few times. It was after deciding to park at the opposite, burger King that the security at Burger King pointed out the additional parking. Now that was settled, it was time to meet up with the group and start the eating of the delicacies they had. Or so I thought...

The KRW special menu had multiple choices for the appetizer, entree` and dessert, but I found that the choices for the entree` wasn't that much appealing. The appetizer wasn't too bad, it was a bit of a tease as it was decorated gourmet style and of course just as small as gourmet style servings. I don't remember what it was called, but it had a selection of meats.

The appetizer

After having my appetite stirred and waiting for what seemed to be an eternity, it was time for the main course. I had selected the Divine Swine Burger with Sweet Potato Fries, being a pork lover, and being flustered by the lack luster choices of entree's. I'll just say, it was a good thing I was hungry, else that meal wouldn't have made it past the first two bites. And worse of all, they don't serve freaking Ketchup... what the ra..! It was good that we had a complimentary Stinger, Ting mixed with Smirnoff Vodka, so had a little alcohol to calm our nerves.

The Divine Swine Burger... far from divine! This looks a lot better!


The Entree` one of my friends had... maybe that would have been better.

After that disappointing main course it was time for the dessert. this should be good, I thought, as Guilt Trip is known for its pastry. I could not resist selecting the Black Forrest Cake and was very optimistic that this would pleasure my dissatisfied palate. The slice of cake looked oh so tempting and mouthwatering, but looks were deceiving, and yet another disappointment! The cake was like a light sponge, and seemed as if chocolate sauce wasn't all over it, it would just float out of the plate! Some of my friends too the Cheese Cake, which wasn't too bad, as I had to taste it to help my palate forget the awful experience of the Black Forrest "Sponge" Cake.

Black Forrest "Sponge" Cake... totally and deceivingly awful!

Guilt Trip certainly lived up to it's name, as I felt so guilty for spending my money on their food! The best thing was the Stinger and the appetizer, but they ruined my KRW. I'm highly doubtful I will go to any other restaurant for KRW as I am almost sure by now that I will have to buy a new TV. One thing is for sure though, Guilt Trip is one trip I will never take again!

Stinging!

Click image to enlarge

At this time of the year the temperature is certainly a whole lot cooler and some even say they can already feel the Christmas breeze blowing in the air. The plazas and shopping centres have started to become more busy as more people stroll through these areas as the weekends progress to the biggest shopping time of the year. But this is not the only thing that this time of the year is known for!

Other things are blowing through the air, yes words, insults, challenges and hints of lyrical wars! Yes even though the time has cooled significantly since the winter (or should I say cooler season as we are in the Tropics) things are certainly heating up in the musical arena. Artistes have been dropping words, hurling insults and even subtly challenging each other. But what could be causing this sudden upsurge of competition?

Well my friends, what has been staged as "The greatest one night show on earth", Sting, is drawing close! But you may ask how could a stage show cause so much drama? Well sting is well known for controversy and the inevitable "clashes" among rival Dancehall Artistes. These "clashes" are mainly lyrical warfare among artistes with artistes crafting lyrics that will appease to the fans more than the other artiste but at the same time insulting the rival. But, words at times have turned to violence as proven in the on stage fracas between Vybz Cartel and Ninja Man in recent times.

Now it's 2008 and December is drawing near so all the ill feelings during the course of the year are reaching their climax. Vybz Cartel is throwing words against his former mentor Bounty Killer and his group of Dancehall Artistes called the Alliance, which Vybz terms as the "appliance". Vybz cartel has also been even challenging is nemesis Mavado with insults on the latest Entertainment Report (ER) last Friday. Merciless has also been sounding the alarm, as he seeks to make his comeback on the Dancehall scene. Ninja Man has not been his usual self and has remained quiet thus far, but don't be surprised if this changes within a few weeks! No doubt more challenges will be issues before December 26, 2008 when many Jamaicans will be filing into the Jamworld Entertainment Centre in Portmore, to see the culmination of the battle taunts.

The Dragon Passes

Byron Lee 27 June 1935 - 4 November 2008

On November 04, 2007 while many Jamaican's and Caribbean nationals alike celebrated the victory of Borack Obama, a great loss was in the making. Byron Lee of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, another of Jamaica's greatest music legends, passed on.

Byron Lee is synonymous with Soca here in Jamaica and no doubt in other Caribbean countries. His musical career spanned some fifty years and he was also one of the foremost persons credited with the inception of the Jamaica Carnival. Byron Lee and the Dragonaires was the headline band for almost all of the Carnival and Soca events, but his music extends even to other functions and events throughout the year. He was recently conferred with the Order of Jamaica during a special ceremony at the hospital last week by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and the Prime Minister, Bruce Golding.

Byron Lee has been fighting a battle with bladder cancer since 2006, but finally lost against this killer on November 4, 2008 at the age of 73. Byron Lee, also called the Dragon, a true icon of the Jamaica Music industry and Soca will be dearly missed.

Here is a little flashback to one of his most famous Songs, Tiney Winey.