Blue Beat Jazz and Martini Club for the best cocktails. - Photos by Rosemary Parkinson

Rosemary Parkinson, Gleaner Writer

This week, Rosemary Parkinson's journey to the Caribbean destinations where the ICC

Cricket World Cup will be playedtakes her to Jamaica.

With a cuisine influenced by first the Amerindians, then the Spanish, British, Irish, Scottish, German; the Africans, Indians, Chinese and Middle Eastern peoples, Jamaica has become a melting pot of deliciousness.

Scour the various parishes. There's food around every corner. Pan chicken served with slices of hard dough bread. Traditional jerk marries festival (cornmeal with flour, sugar and spices, rolled and deep fried), or bammy (cassava bread). Jerk stands abound. Rum bars flourish. Red Stripe is the beer. J. Wray & Nephew Overproof White, Appleton Estate VX or 21-year-old are the rums.

My favourite spots:

ST. THOMAS

Yallahs: Fridays 5:00 p.m. on-wards. Half a mile of pan chicken goodness. Dance to the rhythm of boom-boxes. From US$3.

PORTLAND

Boston Jerk Centre: Eagerness to sell prevails here. Politely ask to be left alone. Little David's is tops for service, jerk chicken, sausage and everything jerked. US$3 (justover J$200.00) and up.

Woody & Cher: Best sandwiches (some made with cassava bread). Ital and organic. US$4 (J$268.00) up. (876) 993 7888/886 2961.

Mocking Bird Hotel: This eco-environmentally friendly hotel boasts three chefs who love Jamaica's organic produce. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Reservations. US$5 (J$335.00) up. (876) 9937267

Norma's At The Marina: Beach Bar & Grill by day, fine dining at night. Overlooking Navy Island, once the home of Errol Flynn. US$5 (J$335.00) up. (876) 9939510

Dickie's Best Kept Secret: A hut on the side-ah-road outside of Port Antonio. A most funky place. Reservations are required! Discuss menu with Dickie. US$10 (J$670.00) up. (876) 8096276.

ST. ANN

Passage to India: Ocho Rios. Exquisite Indian cuisine. Closed Mondays. US$5 (J$335.00) up. Reservations (876) 7953182.

Winston's Ackee Tree, Salem: A colourful hut easily missed. Winston starts frying fish around 11:00 a.m. His Irish moss gives strength for the long road to cricket.

Hedonism III, Runaway Bay: No hang-ups here. Great food with Chef Mark Cole. All inclusive. Day/night passes US$60 (J$4020.00 includes all one can eat/drink during specified times. (876) 9734100/6117

Ultimate Jerk Centre, Discovery Bay: Best sauce, good jerk and traditional specialties. US$3.00 (J$201) up. Open daily.

Faith Pen, Mount Diablo: Every imaginable pot of traditional fare. US$3 (J$201) up.

TRELAWNY

Spicy Nice Bakery: Falmouth. Home of a historic functional Victorian red-brick oven. Great patties. Try a cocoa bread with patty inside. Sleep forever after! Closed Sundays. US$1 (J$67) up.

A gourmet meal can be had at Marguerites.

ST. JAMES

Marguerites, The Hip Strip, Montego Bay: Fine dining under the stars. Visit Blue Beat Jazz & Martini Club, party 'til the wee hours at Margaritaville. Open daily/nightly. US$6 (J$402) up. (876) 9524777

Houseboat, Free zone: Yes! it's a houseboat on the water. Choose your lobster. US$10 (J$670) up. (876) 9601809

Coral Cliff, The Hip Strip, Montego Bay: Cocktails and food at Jungle Caf?. Gambling optional. Open daily/nightly. US$4 (J$268) up.

Golden Dragon, Bogue: Great Chinese dining upstairs. Open daily. US$3 (J$201) up.

Dragon Lounge & Bar, Whitehouse: Traditional Jamaican breakfasts, lunches. Funky spot. Tell dem me send you! US$3 (J$201) up.

Miss Evelyn, Whitehouse: Best Jamaican curry, dhal, tawa baked or fried roti. Open daily. US$0.50 up. (876) 9523280.

HANOVER

Mary's Restaurant, Green Island: Traditional cuisine. Great puddings. Closed Sunday. US$3 (J$201) up. (876) 4668374.

WESTMORELAND

Couples & Swept Away Resorts, Negril: Chef Stephan Spath's themed restaurants open at night. All-inclusive. Day/night passes available. US$60 (J$4,020) approximately. up - all you can eat/ drink during specified times.

Norma's at Seaplash: Negril. Set on the beach. Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily. US$6 (J$402) up. (876) 9574041

Culloden Caf?, Whitehouse: Sweet food, cooked fresh while you wait. Ann Lyons serves up great desserts, Kew Gardens coffee. Open daily. (876) 9635344.

ST. ELIZABETH

Mar Blue: Ask for Preacher! Breakfast, lunch, dinner daily. US$6 (J$up. (876) 9650459

Blue Marlin Villa: Spend a week in a traditional Jamaican beach house that includes Sally Parchment's cooking. Call for rates/reservations.

Little Ochi: On the beach. Tables set in boats. Fishermen's catch arrives daily. From the grill to the table. US$10 (J$670) up.

MANCHESTER

Alex's, Spur Tree Hill: Best curry goat, there's no other. Try mannish water for "sexual prowess!" Closed Sundays. US$5 (J$402) up.

ST. CATHERINE

Miss May, Hellshire: Huts dot the beach, there's much activity from the selling of CDs to horse riding. Fried fish, lobster and escoveitch sauce superb. US$6 (J$402) up.

Habibi Latino at Market Place transport you to the Middle East.

KINGSTON & ST. ANDREW

Norma's On The Terrace, Devon House: Gourmet Caribbean fare. Special health-conscious menu. Reservations. US$6 (J$402) up. (876) 968 5488.

Terra Nova Hotel: Amazing teas. Sunday Brunch a must. The casino rocks. Fine dining - Regency Room. Reservations. US$10 (J$670) up. (876) 926 2211.

Rib Kage: Constant Spring Road and Braemar Road (great cocktail bar). Best steaks & ribs. Open daily. US$5 (j$335) up. Toll free: (1-888-RIBKAGE)

Market Place Restaurants

Caf? Aubergine: (French/Caribbean cuisine - also tucked away in the St. Ann Hills is a historic stopover (876) 973 0527)).

Habibi Latino: (Great Middle Eastern food), East (Japanese), China Express (Jamaica/Chinese). US$8 (J$536) up.

Velisa's: Off Waterloo Road. Vegetarian cuisine with choices for those who are not. US$8 (j536) up.

Gaucho's Grill, South Avenue: Great steaks. Open daily except Sundays. US$5 (J$335) up.

Guan Dong, Trinidad Ave., New Kingston: Sammy offers the best in Chinese food. US$3 (J$201) up.

Pushpa's: Back of Northside Plaza. Inexpensive Indian food. Take-away recommended. US$5 (J$335) up. (876) 977 5454

Coroco, Mayfair Hotel: Japanese at its best. US$5 (J$335) up.

Japan Restaurant, Hilton Hotel: Japanese Sas. Be prepared to wait. Reservations. US$8 (J$536) (876) 926 5430

Contemporary Art Gallery, Old Hope Road: Sunday Brunch buffet surrounded by art. Jamaican traditional US$25. (J$1675) (876) 927 9958/2309.

Guilt Trip, Barbican: Very guilty desserts. US$10 (J$670) up. (876) 977 5130

Cuddy'z, New Kingston: Sports Bar. Owned by cricket legend Courtney Walsh and partners. US$5 (J$335) up.

The Gap, Blue Mountains: Great teas. Doctor Birds play before your eyes. US$4 (J$268) up.

Blue Caf?, Irish Town for Blue Mountain coffeefrom Coffee Traders. Delightful cakes. US$2 (J$268) up. (876) 944 8918

There's a huge amount of freedom that comes to you when take nothing personally. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.