Monthly Archives - July 2016

Jamaica Review by Inside Flintshire Magazine
07 Jul

Jamaica Review

An insider’s guide to Jamaica, featuring the island’s best hotels, restaurants, bars, attractions and things to do, including how to travel there and around. By James Henderson.

Why go?

Jamaica is the liveliest, most captivating and most compelling island in the English-speaking Caribbean – and among the most beautiful too. It has the beaches and the hotels, but Jamaica also has more depth, with culture in its history, art and of course its music. The Caribbean experience is stronger here – Jamaica takes familiar strains from around the Caribbean and amplifies them.

When to go

The best time to visit is when the weather is at its worst and coldest in the UK, between mid-December and mid-April (the official winter season). In Jamaica this is also the driest part of the year. However, prices are at their highest then, so you may want to consider the shoulder season, up until July, when hotel prices reduce by as much as a third and the weather is not that different. The summer months are hot and sometimes muggy. You may want to avoid September and October because of the risk of hurricanes and November because it is the rainy season.

Currency

The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar, or ‘J’, which floats on the international exchange (currently £1 = J$175 approx). However, many people use the US dollar (hotel bills are quoted in this currency). You should check the rate and make the calculations to see what exchange rate you are being offered. There is detailed advice on personal security on the gov.uk website. Currently there are no recommended restrictions on travel to Jamaica.

Local laws and etiquette

Personal safety is an issue in several islands around the Caribbean. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach nor in a car. Do not walk in remote areas in the main towns nor on remote beaches, certainly not at night. If in doubt ask your hotel reception what they do. Largely speaking the Jamaicans are charming and if you stop to ask them advice or directions they are delighted to help. Be careful when you are approached, however – consider what you would do at home if approached by someone you didn’t know – and act in a similar manner.

Negril Beach

Negril Beach is a Caribbean classic – five miles of white, west-facing sand that shelves gently into gin-clear water. Much of it is developed and there are scores of bars and restaurants. Remember to stay for the nightly show – the sunset over the sea horizon.

Who goes?

Everybody – each has their own favourite bar in which to base themselves for the day (if their hotel isn’t on the beach already). The sea at Negril beach is safe for children and is a popular day out for local families as well as tourists.

What is there to do?

Areas are sectioned off for swimming. Beach concessionaires offer wind-surfers, parascending, glass-bottom boat tours, jetskis and scuba. Masseurs sometimes set up their tables.

Bars and bites

There are scores of beach bars, any of which would be happy for you to drop by for a drink and a meal (and then you can use their changing rooms). Kuyaba (00 1 876 957 4318; kuyaba.com) has a nice deck overlooking the sand. Cosmo’s (00 1 876 957 4330) at the top end of the beach has facilities and good seafood among other Jamaican fare.

Getting there

Negril is at the western tip of the island. If you are not staying there, it is an hour’s drive from Montego Bay. Tours will offer a day on the beach followed by the sunset at Rick’s Café. Know before you go.

By Holiday Destinations 0 Comments
Read more...
Crown Inn Review by Inside Flintshire Magazine
07 Jul

Crown Inn Lixwm

It was Fathers Day and unfortunately we had not booked anywhere but decided last minute to see if we could find nice country pub for Sunday lunch. We headed towards Holywell, Brynford then towards Lixwm where we came across a quaint 17th century building which we drove straight past we then decided to turn round as it looked just like the traditional pub we were after. We were greeted by two very friendly waitresses that told us they were really busy but would squeeze us in. The pub itself is everything it looks from the outside a humble 17th century coaching house low beamed ceilings open stone fireplace, a superb range of cask ales and beers and bags of old world charm what more could you want on Father’s day.

There was five of us dining, the menu was a set menu with a varied choice of five starters, mains including vegetarian options and desserts. It was reasonably price at £8.95 for one course, £10.95 for two or £15 for three courses. Three of us had starters our son had Sweet Potato and Leek soup which was accompanied with a huge slab of crusty bread. The soup had a nice mellow flavour and was a contemporary alternative to traditional leek soup. Reg and I both choose the “patchwork Pâté” which is a local produce made in Ruthin the Pâté is all hand made in small batches using local ingredients, we were keen to sample this and were more than happy with our choice when it arrived on a rustic butchers block. The presentation was excellent and included individual ceramic pots of Pâté, butter, fresh rocket, onion marmalade and two small pieces of toasted Ciabatta. Reg had chosen the Chicken liver Pate which was by far the best Pâté I have ever tasted you can certainly see why this is Patchworks best seller and is served in many restaurants throughout North Wales. I sampled the Kiln Roast Salmon Pâté which instead of the cured fish be­ing engulfed in cold smoke it is hot smoke that is used. Effectively cooking the fish as it is smoked or as the name implies roasting it in a kiln. This imparts an almost meaty texture to the Pâté. The only small criticism we had was there wasn’t enough bread to mop up the delicious Pâté.

To book your table call: 01352 781112

For our main course the majority choose roast topside of Beef with Yorkshire puddings I opted for 4 hour braised belly pork with buttered mash. The meals were served with a large platter of mixed seasonal vegetables, a large dish of braised red cabbage and carrot and suede mash. The selection of vegetables were abundant and really tasty especially the red cabbage which is one of my personal favourites. The roast beef was extremely tasty but they were all slightly jealous of the fact that I had buttery mash served with my extremely large melt in your mouth belly pork topped with crispy crackling.

For dessert we ordered Rhubarb, summer berry crumble with custard, A Lixwm mess, Sticky Toffee pudding with Toffee Sauce and ice cream and two Chocolate brownies with ice cream. All desserts were scrumptious and of good portions and completed the meal perfectly.

The Crown Inn prides itself on serving classic British food which is locally sourced and then cooked by chefs that are passionate about food and experimenting with different flavours, we are keen to revisit and sample some more mouth watering dishes of the regular menu very soon!

By Restaurant Review , , 0 Comments
Read more...