Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
IT IS EASILY one of the best-kept secrets in this here metropolis of Kingston! And in a city that is given to much gossip and 'verandah-talk', where friends actually dish the dirt on each other but yet maintain that facade of indifference, keeping a secret really takes some doing!
Sometimes, however, it is in one's interest to keep a secret as in doing so one is then able to maintain the status quo, and thus preserve a good thing. This is often referred to as enlightened self-interest.
Well, my dears, it seems that is exactly what is at work here, as indeed, given just how great a secret this one actually is, it seems that those in-the-know have opted to keep it all very hush-hush instead of running the risk of spoiling a very good thing.
Well, dearhearts, all is not lost, as indeed Kingston boasts a fabulous 'new' lounge, a place of style, civility, and faultless service and of course, polite society in terms of its clientele.
In fact, not only is it one of the city's best kept secrets, it is also one of the finest establishments since the heady days of Club 2001.
Luvs, there is a new entertainment mecca in the city, providing a civilised alternative to the many teeny-bopper hang-outs, that for the most part seemingly ignored the entertainment taste of the adult crowd which, prior to this new spot, resorted to visits to the north and south coasts for leisure-time.
Well, my dears, not so, any more as indeed, there is a very charming and oh, so sophisticated little place in New Kingston, named Christopher's, a simply dee-vine jazz cafe/piano bar.
It is located over smack in the heart of the city's business and financial district, right there on Trinidad Terrace, in the Quad entertainment complex, that is so fine, and so uniquely fabulous. It is the only place for smart society, the chic, the fashionable and of course, those with that discriminating sense of style.
Pumpkins, Christopher's, the brainchild of the dynamic duo of Brian Chung and Christopher Cargill is managed by the simply charming Erika Hinds. It is not only a thing of beauty and fabulous entertainment, it is also an oasis of civilised style, in a city where this is, for the most part, lacking.
STYLE AND ELEGANCE
Dears, we are talking resplendence here, and nothing but.
At Christopher's, the emphasis is on regal style and elegance that is such a welcomed departure from the dreary. Not only does it complement its uppercrust clientele, it also provides an esoteric rendezvous with the senses.
Children, we are talking a fabulous class act here! Think innovative! Think haute-style and substance, as it is all here and how.
We are talking fine wines, a delicate menu, and master bartender Eli, on hand to mix the current international cocktail rage as in flavoured martini. Luvs, Eli knows how to make a flavoured martini, and we are talking a menu of martinis that includes apple, melon, chocolate, the ribbi-tini and chris-tini (house specials) to the classic.
Dovecakes, we are talking elan here and a teetotaler's worst nightmare as indeed, Christopher's serves up nothing but wickedly delicious cocktails, and every day!
On Thursday last week, the owner of Christopher's, the irrepressible Brian Chung, hosted a cocktail reception that proved a beaut of a fabulous do.
The affair was a welcome reception for famed French jazz musician Jean-Michel Pilc, currently visiting the island for what promises to be a culture-fest later today at the Ward Theatre.
He will partner with British concert pianist Marguerite Wolf, in performance this afternoon at a benefit to raise funds for the Ward Theatre Restoration Project, and my dears, it was one fabulous number.
But back to the reception!
Luvs, it was a beauty! We are talking the panache of the fabulous, coupled with unstinting service combining to make for a fabulous cocktail hour here and nothing but the finest in libations!
And as if to stamp its master-style on the minds of those guesting for the very first time, there was the flat-out fried plantain pressed into a wafer and then served up with salsa something to die-for!
In fact, it was one of those occasions, fabulous to the core, and then some.
Among those out for the reception were French Ambassador Pierre-Antoine Berniard; Randy Mair and his wife, Nicola Crosswell-Mair of the Ward Theatre Foundation; Carlos Perez of the Spanish Embassy; Luc Maiche, managing director of Total Jamaica (the subsidiary of the French firm that reportedly acquired the National Gas Chain form Roy d'Cambre); Christian Chammas, vice-president of Total Caribbean and Pacific regions; Alain Champeaux, senior vice-president, Total overseas operations; Bertrand Bainvel of UNICEF; Nada Marasovic also of UNICEF; the cultural attache in the French Embassy Jerome Dubois Mercent; Peter Junor; Felicity Brandt; the very talented pianist Conroy Cooper who did a flawless stint at the piano; the charming Karlene Lemaire; Marlon Creary; Stephanie Shaw of Radio Mona; Bruce Taylor; Deborah Smith; Allan McCorkle; Dennis Lee; Michelle Hibbert; Jerome Hamilton; Jacqueline Miller; Phillipa Hewan of Coldwell Bankers; Lola Francis; and Marlon Honeghan; and several others.
And Christopher's proved too fine a place to spoil, so y'all got to help maintain this here secret.
And believe you moi, it is just what the gods ordered - a civilised alternative, for those with a civilised taste.
