Okay, two truths about this place called The Native in Montego Bay – first its the least “native” Jamaican place I’ve eaten and second this is the least “local” thing I’ve done in Jamaica. But I wanted to post about it anyways in case you’re feeling extravagant one night and want to spend $50 USD on dinner LOL.

To be honest, this restaurant was recommended to me by a Jamaican in the street in Mobay and I ate there with a friend in 2006. However, she paid the bill and I didn’t even look at it so had NO idea what she paid. All I knew was the coconut crusted fish I ate for lunch that day was TO DIE FOR!!!! One of the tastiest things I’ve eaten anywhere, not just Jamaica.

Coconut crusted fish at The Native restaurant

Well its funny how recommendations turn into more recommendations because two years later when I was in Mobay for Sumfest 2008, I recommended to my travel partner that we eat dinner at The Native because they have this awesome coconut fish. The restaurant is right on the strip in Mobay so it was easy to walk to from HOTEL GLORIANA. We went for dinner instead of lunch this time and I was hoping they still had the same menu 2 years later.

The ambiance of this place is totally great! The restaurant is open to the outside but covered, the tables are nicely set and the staff is fabulous…..friendly and willing to stand around and talk long after you want them to leave LOL! Love the atmosphere here though. We were there around 8:00 in the evening and this is the nightshot I took from our table. Its looking out onto the main strip in Mobay.

Guess what? They still had the coconut fish. And guess what else? The prices on the menu where WAAAY more than this “local” traveler wants to spend on anything! But I also have some pride and swallowed it to avoid the embarrassment of leaving. All in all we spent over $50 USD for two people. I had the coconut crusted fish and my friend found coconut crusted chicken on the menu. It was equally as scrumptious as the fish and the mashed potatoes she had looked pretty LOL (in the bowl on the left). I think I had a side of fries too.

Coconut crusted chicken at The Native restaurant

Would I recommend this place to eat? Most definitely!! Would I recommend it if you’re on a budget? NOT! But the food is consistently fabulous and really pretty as you can see!

Jamaican Jerk Food

Jerk is a style of cooking native to Jamaica in which meats are dry-rubbed with a very hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. Jerk also gives Jamaicans another reason to party under the disguise of Jerk Festivals.

One of the best foods to eat in Jamaica, hands down, is Jerk pork.  And one of the best places to sample Jerk pork is Scotchies Jerk Centre.  The Scotchies I’ve eaten at on two seperate occassions is just outside Rose Hall, Montego Bay and its right on the side of the highway for easy access when passing through.  I’ve since learned there’s one located in St Ann, near Ocho Rios.

Scotchies Jerk Centre - Rose Hall, Montego Bay

Besides the fantastic Jerk cooked up at Scotchies, here are some of its other claims to fame.  Its totally outdoor dining under grass thatch roofs.  The prices are ridiculously reasonable and there’s plenty on the menu…everything from Jerk pork, chicken, steamed fish, roasted breadfruit, festival, and full bar service.

Outdoor dining at Scotchies

The first time I experienced Scotchies I was amazed at how they cooked the meat, it was my first time seeing this method of cooking. On top of an open fire pit they have large metal sheets.  On the metal sheets they have big slabs of pork, and those are covered by another large metal sheet.  Its slow cooked this way for the most amazing, deep and spicy jerk flavor!

Bar at Scotchies

Pretty much everyone including International celebrities such as Missy Elliott visit Scotchies and rave about the food.  It’s definitely one of Jamaica’s “must haves” if you ever pass through Montego Bay or Ocho Rios.

For more images of the Scotchies in St Ann and how they cook the food, click here.

Reggae Sumfest Review

I have two words to say about Reggae Sumfest – JUST GO!!!!!!!

I’ve attended Sumfest twice so far, in 2006 and 2008. They both had one major thing (and a lot of minor things) in common. The major thing – WEAR ORTHOPEDIC SHOES! Or if you don’t have any, just wear flip flops but be prepared to endure! Or bring a chair to sit on during breaks.

Okay now onto all the great stuff! Reggae Sumfest is the best entertainment I’ve ever seen, next to Busta Rhymes and John Legend concerts. Where else can I see EVERY dancehall artist I want to see for a measly $35 US?? I was shocked that dancehall night was cheaper than International night for the value of the show. I’m guessing that’s because all the dancehall artists live there and don’t need to be flown in.

Sumfest is an annual outdoor event held in Montego Bay, that showcases everyone you could ever want to see in the dancehall and reggae circuits, and several international artists. Since I live in Western Canada, home of the weakest Caribbean vibes in the world, there is nowhere I can see 30 of my favorite artists in one weekend! All of Sumfest is a blur to me due to the fantastic times I was having but here are the performances I’ve seen that completely stand out in my mind right now:

Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killa, Mavado, Elephant Man, Tarrus Riley, Gyptian, Jah Cure, Beenie Man, Etana, Busy Signal, Erup, Beres Hammond, Missy Elliot, Lady Saw, Wayne Marshall, Black Rhyno, Demarco, Serani, Ninja Man, Anthony B, Voicemail, Assassin, Munga, Macka Diamond, need I go on?? And NO, T-Pain and Lil Wayne did NOT stand out in my mind.

The atmosphere at Reggae Sumfest is unrivaled if you’ve never been to a Jamaican concert before. I remember my first time, being in awe of the pure energy in the place. It was filled with about 25,000 Jamaicans with aerosol cans and lighters creating blow torches everywhere!

What to Bring to Reggae Sumfest

Money – You don’t want to miss out on some of the wicked food being sold at the booths. There are also several booths selling liquor and event souvenirs. And once the place gets SO crowded that you don’t want to leave your spot, you can easily buy whatever you want from the sellers weaving in and out the crowd. They have snacks, refreshments, cigarettes, gum, umbrellas, chairs and yes, even ganja.

A Chair – If you don’t want to pay the price of a desperate person and buy a chair at Sumfest, bring your own. Lots of people bring fold up chairs. I wish I had.

Your Camera – Don’t be afraid of the signs at the gate that say “no cameras” and the fact that they search your bags coming in. They’re looking for something else.

A catheter would be helpful too because its about a 30 minute process getting to and from restrooms at Sumfest. And as the night wears on the condition of the restrooms sadly suffers.

Where can you purchase tickets for Reggae Sumfest?

You can buy them online at www.reggaesumfest.com before you go to Jamaica OR you can pretty much buy them anywhere once you get to Jamaica. I bought mine in a clothing store in Ocho Rios.

Reggae Sumfest Tickets

Sumfest goes on all night into the morning light and I had to strain myself to last til 6AM. When I left it was still jumping and Beenie Man had yet to perform. I reached my hotel around 6:30AM and slept like a baby, then did it all over again the next night.

TIP: When leaving Sumfest, all the taxi drivers waiting inside the gates to drive people home?.they’re charters and will charge you an arm and a leg to get back to your hotel. You’re best to just leave and find your own Route Taxi out on the road. See “Taxis in Jamaica”.