With August drawing to a close, allow Thursday Life to take you down to Strawberry Fields… where everything is real… and where Miss Jen’s chicken served at The Strawberry Patch Café & Grill is an absolute must!

Named the Jamaica Observer Table Talk Food Awards 2015 culinary gem for the parish of St Mary, the restaurant delivers comfort food that can be had in several amazing settings.

There’s certainly the restaurant — and parish judge Howard Pottinger is spot on when he declares the chicken the best in the parish, and possibly Jamaica! — which sits high enough to afford a view of the sea, to enjoy the cool breeze and to people-watch.

But there’s also the rustic, homey resort where happy childhood memories are relived; corporate team-building retreats held and Sunday afternoons spent chasing surfs, sunbathing and in idle reverie.

Owned and operated by the hospitable couple, Kim Chase and Everton McKenzie, with a cadre of truly genuine staff who ensure that all visitors — from yogis from India, five adventure seekers from Spain and a JF Mills plant manager and his family — are treated like family and leave eagerly anticipating the next visit.

The lush, manicured lawn — clearly, no drought here! — with easy access to the beach, is where many opt to eat. Truth be told, guests are spoiled for choice as the property sits on 18 acres of land complete with private white sand beach coves. The kitchen team led by Jennifer Wright McKenzie is kept busy today.

Our orders are placed, thankfully early enough, upon our arrival.

This allows time to contemplate a weekend in Hibiscus 1, 2 & 3, Sunrise Magic, and two cottages on the private beach including the self-contained Moonlight Magic — equipped with a Jacuzzi. McKenzie has made a special beverage for us, called a Mango Pineapple Ginger Smoothie, which is sweetened with honey.

As good as it is the chicken, rice and peas and garden salad seal it for us. Let’s start with the rice and peas, whose coconut milk is seasoned to perfection — which under different circumstances could be enjoyed tout seul! Adding the chicken and gravy elevates the meal to gastronomical proportions. Mmm mmm mmm.

Food this good is worth travelling miles for! Other restaurant offerings include pizza and whatever the local fishermen bring in each day, and lobster in season.

The escoveitch fish and festival are delish, but the chicken and gravy will bring us back again and again. And you, too, for that matter!

Meal prices

• Chicken — $1,200 with a choice of rice and peas, French fries, bammy, or festival

• Fish — $1,400 with a choice of rice and peas, French fries, bammy, or festival

• Lobster — (done to order and in season) — $1,800

• Vegetarian — (done to order) $1,200 (stir fry veggies with almonds, black beans and tofu are top picks.)

• Pizza — $2,000 for large and $1,200 for small

Guest prices

Breakfast, lunch and dinner — $3,500/per person

Breakfast and dinner only — $2,500/per person

Entrance fee

For patrons having lunch from the Strawberry Patch kitchen — $500 per adult/$250 per child, ages three to 12 For patrons who bring their own food — $800 per adult/$400 per child, ages three to 12

The beach is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Company and group fun day packages start at $2,500/per person, and include meals and adventure travels.

The Strawberry Patch

Café & Grill

Robin’s Bay PA

St Mary

876-337 or 999-7169

Reservations

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