Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Enjoying the fare are (from left) Michael Feanny, Ann Marie Feanny, Ian Levy, Robert MacMillan, Candy DePass and Cecilia Levy (back to camera). - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Me daahlings, it's that time of the year again when the fab, the hip, the chic and the cool people get all dolled up to go out and indulge the sensory senses.

It is indeed November, and it being November, it's all about Kingston Restaurant Week (KRW) which gets under way this Saturday, November 8, through to the 15th.

It promises to be a culinary expedition of the haute culinary kind, and nothing but!

The brainchild of the fab style doyenne Stephanie Scott, this annual event not only showcases the very best of the restaurants to be found in and around the Caribbean's hottest metropolis, it does so with meaningful discounts that serve as an introductory offering, and thus make the experience of dining out that more accessible to others who would otherwise indulge their taste buds with a culinary excursion, but refrain from so doing due to the costs associated with the experience.

Culinary jewels

Well, with prices adjusted to accommodate more patrons, the fabulously affable Scott and her team of participating restaurants and their support staff will be going all out, not only to make the experience a memorable do, but also to sensitise the participating patrons to the fact that some of the city's restaurants are culinary jewels. They not only measure up to their counterparts anywhere in the world, but some do surpass their counterparts elsewhere in texture, style, service and offering.

Well, this year, one of this here scribe's fave chefs, restaurant and restaurateur, the oh-so-fab Velisa's, and its principal, the all-time fab culinary artist and composer, Betty Delfosse-Ingleton, is missing from the line-up of fab places to indulge the senses. And while we miss her and her creative interpretation and presentation of some of the finest dishes ever to have graced Kingston, there are indeed some mighty fine places offering some marvellously delectable offerings this season.

And so it is for this the 2008 KRW, the following list of restaurants and eateries is simply a must do for the season!

Mac's Chop House - A simply delightful culinary intervention, with Mario and Fiona Machado making for the city's first couple of haute cuisine.

Style, grace and eleganza

The Regency Room at the Terra Nova Hotel - The epitome of old-world style, grace and eleganza, and food that is indeed a treat for the taste buds.

The Palm Court at the Hilton Kingston hotel - One of the city's best-kept culinary secrets! Style and substance with class and serves up some of the finest food to grace anyone's palate. Here the rib-eye is causing one to almost break out in song.

Strawberry Hill - Classically intimate. Culinary expedition of the fabulous kind.

Whitehouse Seafood - The bounties of the sea and then some.

China Express - The crown jewel of Chinese cuisine here in Kingston. The pork and yam are to die for.

East Japanese Restaurant - Oh the sushi, the sushi, the sushi!

Susie's Bakery and Coffee Shop - For that intimate rendezvous with the grand senses.

TGI Fridays - Informal and very relaxed and simply the best burger this side of burger heaven.

The above-named are this here scribes all-time favourites. Now, among those to be explored this season are:

Norma's on the Terrace

Jewel of India

Carlos' Café

Rib Kage and Grill

Gimbilyn Restaurant at the

Alhambra Inn

Starapples

High Rollers

Shang Hai Restaurant

Cuddy'z

Guilt Trip

Now, bon appétit, y'all, and remember - show your appreciation for excellent service by tipping, and generously so!