WHEN IT comes to winning awards and garnering accolades, no other restaurant in Ocho Rios comes close to the classy establishment appropriately named Passage to India.
The restaurant, the pride of Main Street, only three years in operation, has been featured in numerous overseas and local publications and continues to be regarded as one of the best Indian restaurants in the island.
Stopped by for dinner last Saturday and could see why the eatery is so popular. The food, with the spices brought in directly from the motherland (India) and prepared by chefs Ganga Prasad, Rameshwar Parshad and Uttima Parshad, is simply first class...five star quality. And the fact that it has been consistently so for over the past 36 months is a testament to their professionalism.
Awards won by Passage to India include 'Best Theme Restaurant', 'Best Restaurant on the North Coast' and 'Best Indian Restaurant'. The establishment has also been lauded by the French-based organisation Chaine Bes Rotisseurs and also a number of international culinary publications. Hats off to proprietors Anul and Rajni Sud and also Rajiv Batlagar for a job well done.
Spotted Tanya and David Phillips, Ravi Daswani, Dr. Frances Barnett, Sanju and Krisha Chatani, Joey Issa, Dawn Rogers, Michael Farr and Peter Anderson.
COOL IDEA
When general manager, Blair Gonzales, decided to upgrade his Cool Oasis gas station, located just off the St. Ann's Bay highway, little did he know he was also in the process of creating a phenomenon...the 'Cool' network. Not only has Mr. Gonzales created a gem of an establishment - spotless restrooms and a customer-friendly reststop that passersby can't seem to get enough of - his 'Cool' trademark logo has given rise to several franchises: the 'Cool' clothing line, 'Cool' Tow Service, 'Cool' Cash and only recently, 'Cool' phone cards.
Mr. Gonzales said his whole intention was to create a travellers' haven that was comparable to say a Roy Rogers or a Popeye's rest stop in the United States, but never imagined "things would have expanded so fast". Cool Oasis' overall success and aesthetic appeal has even drawn a review from Public Defender, Howard Hamilton, who publicly has praised the establishment for being a standout among rest stops.
FORT GEORGE ON THE DOWN LOW
On a visit to Port Antonio the other day, I was surprised at how run down the entire Fort George area in the resort town had become. Once an upscale community, Fort George Street is now a shadow of its former glory days. What used to be breathtaking Georgian style architecture have deteriorated into old and dilapidated buildings - even the roads remain deplorable.
It is almost impossible to fathom how the owners of these homes have allowed their once beautiful properties to reach such a state. Even more tragic is the current status of the old Titchfield Hotel, which many years ago was destroyed by fire. Earmarked some time ago for major development and renovation, including a drawbridge that would link the property to Navy Island, the once wonderful hotel, with its breathtaking view, has now been transformed into a soldier camp.
Earl Levy, owner of Trident hotel, had indicated in the past that he would be interested in restoring the town, but said he was not sure he would get the blessing of the powers that be to kick start the project. His plans include renovating all the buildings and restoring their architectural flavour; a move he believes would turn the place into a major tourist attraction. I am told that the project now falls under the controls of the Port Authority of Jamaica and that big things are in store. Only time will tell.
HIGH NOTE
Lascelles Smalls, popularly called 'Baldie', remains one of the more popular cabaret performers on the north coast. Born in St. Ann, his career started at the Little Pub Complex in 1975, performing with musician Lord Laro.
He later would tour Germany, Switzerland and Denmark for four years as lead vocalist of Keith Foote's One Love band and has played small and major parts in various screen and theatrical productions.
'Baldie', now a permanent fixture on the hotel circuit, enjoys a very large fan base. Saw him recently at both the Little Pub and Treasure Hunt attractions and if anything, he is showing no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Truly a wonderful showman.
PROTECTING A VITAL INDUSTRY
There is the saying that to truly enjoy Jamaica, visitors must be able to interact and explore other parts of the island, an opportunity that is oftentimes not available to them. This has been made even more difficult by problems such as visitor harassment, which has contributed significantly to the reduced number of visitors walking the streets.
There was a time, the old timers will tell you when that was never the case. Tourists, they say, used to flock the streets in droves, without the fear of being badgered or hassled and there was enough business to go round.
Spent an evening last week in the company of John and Michelle Harris, a Canadian couple who were visiting Jamaica for the first time and got a chance to show them what life outside the hotels was like. They were staying at the Jamaica Grande resort in Ocho Rios, but wanted to go out and interact with the wider community.
We had a wonderful dinner at the Ruin's by the Falls restaurant on DaCosta Drive before doing some sightseeing in the resort town. The evening was rounded off with a visit to the Strawberry nightclub on the Reggae Strip on James Avenue where the couple got their first real exposure to the Jamaican dancehall.
They thanked me for a "lovely evening" and promised they would return to "do it all over again." Whatever happened to the Jamaica Tourist Board's (JTB) Meet the People Programme? I am told it has died an unceremonious death ... can somebody please explain?
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY
Happy belated birthday to BiBiBips owner Nancy Chatani ... heard she celebrated in style last week ... many happy returns.
