Kingston, Jamaica: Best Sunday Brunch

The School of Hard Knocks

I don’t believe limits can be placed on life lessons! The reason I’m convinced is that they began to show up in my travels.

Solo travel affords you much alone time with your thoughts. A group may have possibly hindered me from seeing these lessons as such.

My recent trip was quite the school of hard knocks. I’m a planner who usually expects everything to go smoothly.

This includes Sunday brunch reservations, parking, and having enough money on hand.

The lesson in Jamaica centered around flexibility. It seemed like everything that could go wrong, did!

Brunch Reservations of 1

This was unfamiliar territory for me. How would I handle it?

Would I let all of the seemingly negative occurrences ruin my trip? Good thing I love making and drinking lemonade!   

For one, I didn’t expect to leave my entire wallet at home. Two, I left my car parked at the wrong lot.

Third, I dubbed my trip “The Marley Tour“. I wanted to visit where he was born, lived and was buried.

I only managed two out of three!

My initial intention was to have Sunday brunch at Strawberry Hill. The day seemed perfect.

My birthday fell on a Sunday this year.

Making a Mountain out of a Molehill

I read rave reviews about the views of Kingston and the Blue Mountains from the resort’s vantage point. My future self took hundreds of selfies with both as my backdrop!

I emailed the hotel and confirmed my reservation. Then I received another email.

The brunch was changed to American a-la-carte.

The picture in my head of me enjoying unlimited Jamaican cuisine while I sipped on Blue Mountain coffee was becoming dim. I wasn’t traveling to Jamaica to pay for an American breakfast.

The price had also increased!

Obstructed Views

I was already preparing to pay almost $50 roundtrip cab fare(to and fro). The menu change was a definite deal-breaker.

Whatever views I would have of the blue mountains would now be in the far distance.

In this blog, my tour included an overlook of Kingston where I could see the Blue Mountains. It wasn’t up close but it was a small victory nonetheless!

Now I had to look into my 2^nd and 3^rd choice options for brunch.

Plan B or C

Trip Advisor was the main review site I used.

I don’t like change and was hoping that my second choice would stick.

I chose the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel. Their Sunday brunch was held in an area called the Venetian.

I had already planned my birthday dinner that night at the restaurant. That was one of the only reasons why I wanted a different choice.

I ended up with two sceneries since brunch and dinner were not held in the same parts.

The buffet was affordable at less than $40. Drinks would be extra

The Belle of the Ball

I began to plan my birthday outfit and it turned out exactly how I wanted. I was going for a Southern belle means ‘Little House on the Prairie’ look.

My white blouse would be considered vintage based on how long I’ve had it. A modern (calf-length) Adidas tulle skirt was outfitted with black leather boots.

My hair was styled in a 60’s era of finger waves. I was ready to step back in time for my 38th!

For the past couple of years, I’ve created a social media hashtag to commemorate my birthday. This year it was a prophetic #Version3.8Launch&Upgrade.

The Best Laid Plans

Who knew about a month later, I would be launching this blog? Our words do have power!

Saturday before the brunch, my trip appeared doomed. I was supposed to be culminating ‘The Marley Tour’ where he was buried in (Nine Mile) St. Ann Parish.

This was the main reason I originally planned the trip to Jamaica. Trench Town and the Marley Museum were added as supplements!

My driver canceled 30 minutes before pick-up. I was communicating with a Jamaican friend in Miami to try to find someone else at the last minute.

When it Rains…

I called a cab company to take me but they confused my destination with a local Nine Mile. They said it was too late to drive to the farthest one!

My humanity showed true and clear. I couldn’t control every single factor of this or any trip!

I’m learning not to force things in those situations. I took a deep breath and allowed the plan to ‘fail’.

Coincidences are not part of my belief system. Sometimes things happen for our own protection!

I overcame the previous obstacles!

This would be no different!

Rain Check

I came to grips with knowing I would leave Jamaica with ‘The Marley Tour’ incomplete. I was disappointed and a little sad!

That means another opportunity to go back!

Now about the food at this brunch!!!

Although I’ve had my fill of Jamaican food in Miami, I looked forward to eating at the source.

I can be a picker eater! That was never a factor here!

I was no match for the Terra Nova Suite Sunday Brunch held in the Venetian!

I came to conquer but was conquered instead!

An Idyllic Setting

I was one of the first guests to arrive.

The dining room’s satin tablecloths were a royal blue with white chair covers. Blue and white curtains draped over the walls.

Fancy chandeliers hung from the ceilings and palm trees added to the tropical vibe.

My waitress greeted me and happily obliged to take a few pictures.

I became famous among the wait staff when they learned I was dining solo. They kept stopping by to chat or to ask if wanted to take more pictures.

The live band arrived and played jazzy pieces throughout. It was spectacular.

Fit for a Queen

My birthday celebrations had begun.

I felt like the brunch was being held in my honor. It was ‘my’ birthday, after all (wink, wink)!

Red pea soup was served as an appetizer with a variety of crackers/bread.

I ordered a Red Stripe (Jamaican beer) with my Bellini. I couldn’t leave without an elegant swig.

Every item on my plates was tantalizing and I wished for more room.

I couldn’t leave off the national dish of ackee and saltfish.

There was a purposeful pause between trips to the buffet. Alas, I could only squeeze in two food and one dessert plate.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Check, Please

No one rushed me as I continued to let my food digest.

My drink of choice with dessert was Blue Mountain coffee sweetened with condensed milk.

I lingered since it was physically impossible to get up!

This was the only time I wished I’d booked a room there instead of an Airbnb.

I was still full by the birthday dinner time.

• 

• 

Round 2

I almost canceled but it was my birthday. I was in Jamaica with no other plans.

Maybe there was something light I could order!

Wrong again!

Go big or go home. YOLO for the 38^th birthday!

Red Carpet

Terra Nova’s lobby was decorated in elegant French draperies with fancy armchairs. I took advantage of every photo opp.

A red carpet lined the entryway.

They were expecting me. No surprises there!

The maitre’d even greeted me with birthday salutations. That was a nice touch.

Wine and Dine

I ordered crab cakes served on a bed of lettuce to start. My entree was veggies, mashed potatoes, and oxtails.

My beverage was called “Purple Rain”.

The dinner was held in the Regency Bar and Lounge. It was open-aired and white table cloth, romantic

The night was humid. Large fans were scattered throughout, ushering the natural breeze.

From my seat along the wall, I could hear and see the nearby fish-filled fountain.

• 

• 

Birthday Wishes

If you’re ever in Kingston, make lots of room in your tummy and call upon Terra Nova. You won’t be disappointed.

I wasn’t.

Though they weren’t my first choice, I was pleased with the food and service.

The biggest lesson learned is to go with the flow. Sometimes it leads to exactly where you’re supposed to be!

Oh, and did I mention they were the only AAA 4 Diamond rated hotel in Kingston?

~Poof…Bee Gone

If you enjoyed this blog, check out the Kingston series:

Tips on Getting Around Kingston Jamaica

Airbnb or Hotel

How to Experience the Culture

Culture via Airbnb Experiences

© 2019, Poof Bee Gone, All Rights Reserved

Please free to like/follow my social media platforms, leave me a comment, share blog posts and subscribe to get timely updates.