Valentine's Day Date Ideas for the bruk, the student, the unemployed, the cashy and the single!!!
Valentine's day is coming, where is your boyfriend (or girlfriend)??
Valentine's day can be daunting if you're on a budget or if you're just bad with ideas. Well, look no further than Brownstew Bullybeef's master blog post of Valentine's day date ideas for every budget and taste! We have the perfect idea for your situationship, entanglement, relationship, marriage or if you just want to treat yourself. If I have been to the restaurants or done the activities I will give my PERSONAL opinion on taste, service, etc. If I have not been, I will also state that. NONE OF THE BUSINESSES LISTED HAVE PAID FOR A SHOUT OUT, THIS IS JUST A LIST I DECIDED TO PUT TOGETHER. The restaurants and activities listed here are in Montego Bay. In terms of price I have developed a $ rating:
$ - Student/Bruk people friendly
$$ - Mid-range, you can probably save up if you're unemployed and want to go
$$$- For working people or bruk people who had some money puddung.
So without further ado, let's get into it!
Restaurants
Coral Cliff $
A long time Mobay favourite. Located right on the hip strip, it's always a vibe. It's not the most intimate location for a date, however, you're guaranteed a good time. The food is decent and service is good. Since Valentine's day falls on a Sunday this year, Sunday brunch is an option. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet for $2999.00 per adult with taxes included. In the evenings/nights, they also have live music and a band on Wednesday- Sunday. For an extra fun date, visit the fun factory downstairs and play a few arcade games, get that competitive spirit on.
Island Strains $-$$
For my friends that love "Ouid" and VERY chill dates, this one is for you. For $1300 you can become a member and legally buy pre-roll spliffs and weed ranging from $5 US up (their exchange rate is $100 JMD to $1 USD). They also have liquor and food if you're not into the high life, but note that people will be smoking around you. This place has a gorgeous view and cosy ambience. The food is very basic however with menu items like wings, burgers and fish tacos,so if you're looking for fancy, skip further down the list.
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| The gorgeous view from the lounge at Island Strains |
Pier 1 $-$$
If you're from Montego Bay, you know what it is. Good food, good drinks, good service and good vibes. Its literally on a pier so you get gorgeous views as well, especially at sunset. Food ranging from Jamaican classics to International favourites, you can't go wrong.
Pelican Grill $-$$
Another Mobay fav. I don't think I need to go into details. Guaranteed good Jamaican cuisine as well as some international favourites. Very cosy upscale, diner ambience and great service. A good pick for breakfast if that's your vibe.
Peppa's Cool spot $
Located right off Leader's ave beside Hotel Grandiosa (big orange hotel). This is my personal bruk pocket fav, coming here rarely ever breaks the bank. Peppa's has a cosy, rustic ambience. Dining is primarily outside in a garden though so if this Valentine's day brings showers, this might not be the place to go. Service and food tase can also be sometimish depending on how packed it is, I've had really good food with a reasonable wait time, to very ok food with long wait times. Be warned.
Uncorked $$-$$$
A personal fav of mine because I love wine and the service and food it is one of the most consistently good restaurants in Mobay. They have a pretty wide menu selection and it's definitely for the foodies and the adventurous. As you can probably tell by the title, it is a wine restaurant so all their dishes have wine pairings recommended beside it, which I suggest you follow. If breakfast dates are your thing, they also have a reasonably priced breakfast menu, though I've never been for breakfast. The atmosphere is extremely warm and cozy and due to space constraints,I highly recommend you make a reservation for a day like Valentine's day. It's located near the Starbucks at Fairview
Mystic Thai (now also Mystic India) $$-$$$
My father's favourite restaurant in Mobay. We go here for his birthday EVERY SINGLE YEAR since it's been open. They have Thai and Indian cuisine and they're probably for the more adventurous persons as there is nothing really local on the menu. The food is consistently good, though personally, the Indian food isn't as good as when they were separately Mystic India at Whitter Village, however, it's still very delicious and definitely the most consistent restaurant in Mobay for food taste and service. They have a nice, intimate ambience with curtains separating the tables and the theme matches the name of the restaurant. I strongly suggest purchasing the Lychee Martini. They're located beside Starbucks at Fairview.
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| The Lychee Martini from Mystic Thai |
Lucca $-$$$
A relatively new kid on the block, although they've been open for close to two years. This is an authentic Italian restaurant located near the Mother's/VMBS section of Fairview. Their pizza is great and thin crust (please do not expect the doughy pizza that Dominos and Pizza hut have). The vibe is also intimate and seating is limited so again, reservations are recommended.
Dragon Court $-$$$
I had to include a Chinese restaurant. Now my favourite Chinese restaurant taste wise would be China House, but Dragon Court is a close second with a much better and more Valentine's day worthy ambience. Dining is nice and open with adequate seating between tables and a lovely view of Bogue's "ponds" :). They have all your Chinese favourites from sweet and sour chicken to chow mein.
S hotel $$-$$$
Disclaimer, I have not been and I cannot seem to find their menus anywhere online. From pictures though, the ambience seems gorgeous and I have heard good things about their Sunday Brunch. On the fancier side, so dress up and beat that face.
The Houseboat Grill $$$
Another disclaimer, I have not been here in around 8 years or so but I remember it being good and people who have been recently have said the same. It is really unique because it's a floating restaurant, as its name implies. They have primarily seafood dishes and a cosy, rustic ambience. Houseboat is on the pricy side though, so be prepared to cash out.
Bellefield $$-$$$
Last but not least my personal favourite, Bellefield great house. This place has a special place in my heart because it's where I had my best first date ever. Food and service are great, the menu selection and is wide and the ambience is to DIE FOR. Real rustic, great house charm and a beautiful garden. They can do no wrong. It is located at the Granville police station turn off, near Montego West Village housing scheme. They have pretty good signage for you to follow. They are currently advertising a reservation only, Valentine's day dining for $10,575.00 + GCT per couple that includes a glass of wine. If you're more the stay-home type and/or worried about the pandemic then they also have a take out menu that is prepayment only for $9,750 + GCT per couple. See menus below.
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| Bellefield's beautiful property featuring yours truly :) |
Activities
Mobay Kart World $
I haven't been here, but I have heard that its fun, just that the track is a bit small. It is located near Westpow park in Irwin Montego Bay. Prices are as follows:
$600 - single cart
$800- double cart
This cost is for 5 races.
Beach - free to $
My all-time favourite is Doctor's cave because it's clean, they have changing rooms and showers and you can buy food and drinks if necessary. Old steamer beach is right outside Hopewell, not in Mobay but close enough and is free and relatively clean. No luxuries like changing rooms and showers though. Bring speakers and a bottle of Barefoot pink Moscato to elevate the vibe.
Fun Factory Arcade at Coral Cliff $
I had mentioned this before but you can play arcade games like claw, racing games, air hockey and skee ball for as low as $1000 per person ( you add the amount to your fun factory card and use that to play games). Very fun date idea and you're guaranteed to have a good time.
Stay at home
Is your significant other a homebody? Worried about the pandemic? We gotchu!
Here are some stay at home ideas that will still be impressive:
Backyard or roof picnic
Have a backyard or roof space? Have a picnic! Spread a blanket, get some cushions, tea lights / scented candles (IllumiScents brand at Fontana is my favourite), speakers to play some relaxing jazz or love songs and use up your culinary skills to have a nice picnic. If you're not so adept in the kitchen, most of the restaurants above have take out/curbside pick up options or if you don't feel like leaving your house at all to pick up food GetABore ( https://www.instagram.com/getabore/) has you covered!
Movie night with a pillow fort
How about a night filled with cheesy romcoms, Disney/Pixar or (my personal favourite) Studio Ghibili movies? Get some hot chocolate (SwissMiss is always great), marshmallows, whipped cream, order a pizza from Dominoes or Pizza hut (or Lucca if you're feeling fancy) and start the marathon. For the fort make sure you have peppa lights, cushions and pillows, a king sheet and bonus points for this mini projector from amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JJB5JSF/?coliid=I1TR1HCEXWZCI2&colid=1NO2F2IGZ8NON&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) or an actual tent. Netflix is good for movies but you can check out xmovies.08 and watchsomuch.tv for free options as well.
Cook or Bake together
Whip out your phone and find a recipe on good old Google/Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJFp8uSYCjXOMnkUyb3CQ3Q ) for you guys to do as a couple. Ensure you get all ingredients and even measure them out beforehand for simplicity. For extra points or if you're corny like me, check out these matching aprons (https://www.amazon.com/Lemecima-Waterproof-Adjustable-Boyfriend-Girlfriend/dp/B08DHVG2MT/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=matching+aprons&qid=1611253847&sr=8-8 ). If it turns out great then you guys would have made a great meal made with love, if it doesn't turn out so great, you would have had memories and a good laugh. Just go get some KFC after.
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