Lunch at Twin Gates Lounge

Hi I hope you have been enjoying my blog so far...Observer Food Awards has just passed I believe it was last week Thursday, unfortunately I was not there because I found the entrance fee a little prohibitive. It makes me wonder though. Who exactly do they cater to at this event. The reasoning behind that high cost for entry escapes me. Anyways if last year was $15 k and this year it was $25 k then it's safe to say that possibly I won't be attending that event anymore. It was a must do event on my annual Calender being my love affair with food.

Anyways I'm writing today about Twin Gates Lounge, it's located at Andys Place to the rear of Twin Gates Plaza on Eastwood Park Road. I spent the better part of a day there as they have a large screen which they show sports. Well I watched the final moments of this football season. They serve breakfast and lunch daily. They had the usual offerings of any lunch time restaurant across Jamaica. Fried Chicken, Curried Goat etc. 

They had one of my favorites of all time. Stru Peas with Pigstail and dem fing in Chicken trotters too. Chicken Foot. I don't know how I have come to love stewed peas so much but when I think about it I have a great affinity to anything involving Red or Gungo Peases. 

I ordered a small because I had a late breakfast and was not very hungry but, the waitress advised if I wanted to partake of any stew peas today me better order now because it always done quick. 

I had no intention of missing out so I ordered. It didn't take too long. 

It was well presented I must say, was not 5 stars but what do I expect for $450. The peas were well cooked Pigstail had the right amount of saltiness left in it, because you and I know that if u boil out too much of the salt it nuh taste good again. The chicken feet were done perfectly. I must say the Stewed had an excellent flavour, and it went very well with the sticky rice and the usual tossed salad. 

If I were to rate this meal between 1-10 where 10 is the best I'd give it an 8 because I prefer to have lettuce, cucumber, carrots and tomatoes in my side salad with of course some dressing. 

This wasn't my first time here and certainly won't be my last.

Good going Lando and your team.

If you went to Food Awards and me buck u up anywhere tell me bout it cuz me waa hear.

Later for now John

Pan Chicken in Liguanea

It's a Friday night, went for a drink won't say where....(another blog post) but as you know, one can't just have a drink others will follow. I hoped to get home at 10pm. But it's now 1am but, who is checking on time. I'm starving. 

Options for food at 1am are limited but the ever faithful Hopeton in Liguanea has always been my savior from those pangs of hunger. 

I grew up in Mona so I've come to have a great rapport with the Hopeton. I have been having that chicken since me eye deh a me knee. When I think about it he has been there at that same spot for well over 35 years. 

I usually have chicken breast quarter with National Giant Hardo Sliced Bread, and sometimes grab another piece for good measure. 

Well I roll up to the spot and maybe there are 6 or 7 patrons there, Indian greets me well and asks "waapen Bossy the usual? " I say why would I change after so long, he says "we have breadfruit to enuh", "two slices for me" I responded. 

Then he further up sells...."u nuh Waa try the lamb to".

Well can I tell you...Jerk Lamb by Hopeton is one of the best food treats around town, I think they only do it on weekends though. 

I could not resist I had a quarter pound of that too. The wild gamy  flavour of the lamb with smoky Jerk flavour is definitely a hit and very hard to resist once you have tried it. 

I have never had any regrets whenever I visit Hopeton for Pan Tucky. I love Jamaican Street Food and Pan chicken is definitely the King of that pile.

There are over a dozen pan chicken spots scattered all over Kingston but for me Hopeton is the best.

Thanks for reading See you soon.....

John