Robert (MacMillan (left); Debbie Cumming and Dr Michael Banbury (right). - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

My daahlings, it's that glorious time of the year again when those who dine out and those who would like to are all facilitated under the banner of the annual Restaurant Week (RW). A fab initiative, it is the brainchild of the enterprising Stephanie Scott, and appropriately sponsored by the bible of news, entertainment, sports and all that's fab, the region's oldest, most respected and reputable news organisation, The Gleaner and its associate publications.

Well, if ever there was a time that the annual RW was needed, it's definitely now. The recession that has seen a decrease in patronage of restaurants and eateries and RW is a welcome respite to the beleaguered restaurateurs and other purveyors of fine dining who were being challenged by the economic conditions not only to maintain their standards, but more important to stay open!

And with some 45 participating restaurants all across the island, y'all know that dining out is not only fun again, but even more because of the huge discounts participating restaurants are offering to patrons during the period!

Fine dining, premium libations

Well my dears, there is one place in the Corporate Area, that whether there is RW or not is simply a beautiful place for fine dining and premium libations. It is also one of the capital's hottest social spots, boasting one of the finest restaurants. The place is the absolutely fab and oh-so welcoming; it's the Spanish Court Hotel in fab New Kingston.

Owned by Chris Issa of the illustrious Issa family, the Spanish Court Hotel is like a beacon in this ever buzzing city! Done to reflect a contemporary mode, the place is literally an oasis of fabulousness, and a testimony to the entrepreneurial spirit alive and well and flourishing in the city. It is made that much more auspicious, especially because of the trying economic times all around!

Anyway, the hotel boasts the Spanish Court Café, a charming ultra-mod place which offers fine and lazy dining in a very warm wholesome and relaxed atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of New Kingston. One of its more appealing attributes is that patrons do not have to navigate a slew of hustlers to access the property! And once inside, one is transformed from the world of the mundane to a world of leisure and nothing but a most welcoming respite! The choice of leisurely dining is not restricted to the fab café but includes the Sky Terrace and Sky Bar, appropriately named as the elevated pool terrace. With its infinity pool and entertainment/ dining area, it opens up to the glorious sky, and is simply picture perfect, especially for those who like the comfort of outdoor dining in an elegant mode.

If a more contained but elegant space is your preferred dining style, there is always the hotel's Lobby Lounge, with its avant-garde décor, and multi-purpose inner-lounge, that is available for meetings.

Haute style

But on Wednesday evening, it was transformed into an elegant private dining room, away from prying eyes where businessman Robert MacMillan played host to some friends and associates as he in came out in support of RW.

Talk about haute style! Well my dears, it does not get any better than this as from arrival, it was clear that the hotel is not about the business of merely offering rooms, but are also style and trendsetters, with a penchant for great and personal service. The hotel's general manager, the charming Lee-Ann Godfrey met and welcomed guests and escorted them to their respective engagements. The personal style and attention to each guest was to continue. As guests joined hosts MacMillan and his companion Candy DePass, each was made to feel especially welcome by the staff, all nattily dressed in black, and positively taking pleasure in their tasks.

Guests included former Prime Minister Edward Seaga and his charming wife, Carla; the debonair philanthropist Dr Michael Banbury; businessman extraordinaire Ian Levy and his beautiful wife, Cecelia; George Cumming and his gorgeous wife, Debbie; Caribbean jurist Warren Mottley, from the illustrious Mottley family, out of Barbados; and publisher and owner of the fabulous Maco Magazine, the oh so lovely, statuesquely so, Neysha Soodeen.

Dears, we are talking excellent society here, the host in fine mettle, his skills and reputation as a raconteur only enhanced as the evening wore on, as he proved the perfect host. For dinner, we are talking á la carte here, so do understand that if one says the rib-eye steak was to die for, it was!

Perfection

The accompanying vegetables, nothing short of divine in their preparation and presentation, braised to perfection and not cooked to death. Carla Seaga said of her salmon, "Perfect in texture and balanced beautifully with herbs and spices, to enhance the flavour of the fish, without overpowering it to make it beautiful." The party agreed that the shrimp tempura was nothing short of perfection! And dears, when it came to the chocolate mousse of a cake, topped with crushed Oreo cookies, darlings, talk about things that makes you go mmm!

Well, it was a simply perfect way to celebrate RW by embracing the joys served up by the Food and Beverage Manager Veronica Grant and her staff.

Robert MacMillan hosts friends to dinner for Restaurant Week at the Spanish Court Hotel, St Lucia Avenue, New Kingston, on Wednesday. Here are Neysha Soodeen (left), Eddie Seaga (centre) and wife Carla.