The heat in the city Saturday, is suffocating, and we are beginning to regret having planned an al fresco lunch date. But after a morning of pampering at Nirvana, air-conditioning suddenly loses its appeal and very soon we are in the cool tropical environment of Norma’s on the Terrace with Ricardo our waiter tempting us with one of the restaurant’s fruit drink options.

The cherry/ guava/passion juice sounds perfect and just what any smart doctor would have prescribed for the rising mercury. It’s one of those leisurely Saturdays, and Ricardo takes his cue from us, approaching with the menu only when our thirsts are quenched and body language indicates that we’re ready to eat.

What to eat now becomes the dilemma. Shirley’s new menu is fresh and exciting as are the elegant swaths of bold green drapes, the heavy foliage that frames the verandah and the statement-making bird of paradise arrangement… but we digress.

The sushi texture of Taylor’s smoked marlin is appealing and so we settle for that as an appetiser with vine-ripened tomatoes with basil, and grilled mozarella for entrée.

Devon House is typically busy with children enjoying ice-cream, visitors enjoying patties and pastries while lovers enjoy each other’s company. From the white-railed vantage of the Terrace however, it all seems a world away as we bask in the rasp, jazz notes of Rod Stewart and the animated sounds of the other diners.

In between delicious bites of marlin, gently smothered with chef’s mustard, capers, papaya and pegs of oranges, we relax in the comfort of a glorious summer lunch almost forgetting the wonderful garlic bread.

Another cherry/guava juice is ordered as we catch up with each other, exchanging life’s lessons. The sweet taste of vine-ripened tomatoes with basil and grilled mozarella caresses the palette in the most extraordinary way.

It takes very little time to move knife and fork through the wonderful gooey texture of the mozarella. It’s all good. Dessert is a must, especially since there’s that delicious Dundee cake and Norma’s orange trifle with poached otaheiti apples.

With the water now at my temperature (Caribbean tepid) lunch comes to a perfect end.

A patron steps onto the verandah with a copy of Conde Nast Traveller (May 2005).

“Norma Shirley,” he boasts to his friends is featured in the magazine in the section about the 80 Hot Tables of the world. Shirley is referred to as “Jamaica’s premier restaurateur.” We too share his pride and are glad that Shirley’s, Norma’s on the Terrace is The Jamaica Observer’s Table Talk Food Awards Restaurant of the Year 2004.