D.LAM Reviews....Haagen-Dazs

D.Lam
Reviews... Haagen-Dazs

DESSERT
TASTE-3 || PRESENTATION-4 || ORIGINALITY- 4
I actually went to Haagen-Dazs twice. On both occasions I got the same waiter who was quite friendly and accommodating. I ordered a two scoop creation of Chocolate and Caramel on my first trip and a brownie on my second trip. Being a chocolate lover as you can tell I was pleasantly satisfied both times. However even though I like the flavors provided the texture of the ice cream itself was not of the standard I expect of a Ice cream parlor of this category.
Nestled in the recently opened Barbican Centre Haagen-Dazs is an Ice Cream parlor that has been given a makeover. Whereas parlors of yore were simple windows sales locations providing only Ice Cream take out service Haagen-Dazs takes a more modernized approach in that they:

 Deal in delectable desserts other than Ice Cream
 Provide fast friendly service with customer service reps. that really seem to care about their patrons
 Provide air-conditioned cushioned indoor seating and open-air outdoor seating to watch the stars by. With seating catering for either a couple or a family\large group

The parlor is well lit but can pass as a romantic hot spot with some cozy areas. As such Haagen-Dazs has become a hangout of the hip young (as sometimes not-so-young) Jamaican crowd attracting even the recently appointed Minister of Education ( Andrew Holness) who happened to walk in whilst I was conduction this review. So just what could be the downside you wonder, well these innovations come at a price, at monetary price that is. Haagen-Dazs charges for its desserts what some restaurants charge for their main courses. This can at first seem somewhat daunting but when you consider that you are getting restaurant quality of service and comfort it take the sting off a little. All in all a great place to take your loved one for a treat.

HAAGEN-DAZS
FOOD TASTE 3
FOOD PRESENTATION 4
FOOD ORIGINALITY 4
DINNER SERVICE 4
AMBIANCE 3
VALUE 4
OVERALL RATING 4/5

Overall Visits: 2

D.Lam Reviews uses a 5-star rating system

D.LAM Reviews....Bamboo Village

D.Lam
Reviews...BY DAVID LAM

BAMBOO VILLAGE

APPETIZERS
TASTE-3 || PRESENTATION-2 || ORIGINALITY- 3
I ordered a jumbo seafood roll and I got two rolls on a plate. Very plain looking and tasting just the same, not worth the $250 price tag.

MAIN COURSE
TASTE-3 || PRESENTATION-3 || ORIGINALITY- 3
My meal was: Stir Fried Beef with Pineapple, Fried Singapore Noodles and Braised Black Mushroom with Assorted Vegetables. A meat dish, a vegetable dish and a noodle dish I do not usually deviate much from this when eating with a small group of people and I find that it generally suits all needs. As for the food I was not too impressed I have had better tasting Chinese meals elsewhere but the taste was adequate enough for a passing grade, what took me by surprise though was the amount of food that was presented, easily enough to serve four people with a normal appetite.

DINNER SERVICE, AMBIANCE & VALUE FOR MONEY
Situated on the 2nd floor of the Village plaza, it is easy to pass by and not notice this restaurant, however you would be missing out on a relatively decent experience. By decent I mean average, that is to say this restaurant is unable to adequately distinguish itself from the myriads of other Chinese restaurants out there, from the so-so service to the Chinese-esque decor. This interior is carpeted and the seating nicely put together if not a little too close at time but as stated this is what one should expect from a restaurant. The one highlight was the rather large amount of food that was served which is unlike other Chinese restaurants in this price range, that however, is not enough to alter my rather average opinion of this restaurant. Essentially this is a baseline of what I expect a Chinese restaurant to be and by extension restaurants in general, which makes it a good choice for my first review.

BAMBOO VILLAGE
FOOD TASTE 3
FOOD PRESENTATION 3
FOOD ORIGINALITY 3
DINNER SERVICE 3
AMBIANCE 3
VALUE 4
OVERALL RATING 3/5

A good Chinese restaurant is one that Chinese people actually go to themselves.

P.S. There was a Chinese family there having a birthday party and they were very loud- like fifteen people, shouting across the table-lol-, it was kinda funny though.

D.Lam Reviews uses a 5-star rating system.

Overall Visits: 1

ETANA

ETANA

REGGAE`S YOUNG EMPRESS ON HER MUSIC, SUCCESS & THE INDUSTRY

With a pleasant smile and a humble spirit she walks into the offices of her base camp Solid Agency to discuss details of her December schedule, the Christmas now in full swing Etana wants to be prepared as she’s committed to finishing the year the way she started it, with a strong surge that will ultimately setup her eagerly anticipated 2008 debut album. Running through rehearsal dates with her Road Manager for a number of upcoming performances she hastily pops out her Apple Macbook immediately signing into yahoo to glance at a few photos from a recently completed shoot in New York. Turning to a PR Agent seated at a desk she rather faintly asks her opinion on a particular picture that features the young songstress dressed up to resemble a Black Panther revolutionist. “I like it but I don’t want people to be confused you know” she jokingly hints as she turns the laptop to the agent. Enthralled by the image she too chuckles “it’s nice though, something for your personal catalog”. “Yea I think so too” she replies as the room door pitches open.

These days Etana can’t help but glow, things have been on the up and up ever since her breakout hit single Wrong Address appeased reggae fans in 2006 showing a more eclectic mainstream form of the genre. The blunt context of the song also found empathy amongst the masses locally many of whom had personal experiences of discrimination based solely on the community they called home. Telling the story of what really inspired Wrong Address Etana reminisced on a particular day while living in the states. “Well I was sitting in Miami one day and my aunt called and she said she didn’t get the job and I said why and she replied when she was walking up the front desk of the office the lady said to her next time don’t use the August Town address, use a more uptown address that will be more accepted, it was shocking to me I just couldn’t understand”. Embracing the startling truth of the story Etana set out to empower others that had endured a similar fate, encouraging them to stay focus despite their many obstacles. “I remember I went into the studio with the guitarist and percussionist from Richie Spice band and I said to them lets just make a song, I had the idea in my head and they started playing and we recorded it when we were finished and that was it, Wrong Address was born it wasn’t even mixed it was just raw yet it still connected”. Several months later she’s had more than 22 weeks on local Top Ten charts with the follow up single to Wrong Address dubbed Roots not to mention a Best Cultural Artiste Award for her strong presence in Reggae this year.

Equally passionate about her responsibility to inspire as is to create Etana feels Reggae needs to maintain its value. “I think it is the responsibility of artists to build and not destroy the younger generation, once you become an artist whether you like it or not you become a role model, they look up to you and music is a great influence it can kill or cure and that’s what reggae should be about, the upliftment of people, its imperative we create a better future”.

Streaming positive values to the youths, encouraging freedom of thought, upholding her views on equality and most importantly denouncing the injustice passed on by systematic authorities the talented vocalist / songwriter has become a household name. Now a VP Recording Artist she is already being styled a Grammy nominee for 2009 but the empress is not fazed. “A lot of people will change when they reach a certain level of success but I’m not one of those types”.