Seven St James brings new experience to the Second City
Published:Thursday | March 28, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Janet Silvera • Senior Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Like the Biltmore in Florida, and New York's Waldorf Astoria, Montego Bay, Jamaica, now has its signature Sunday brunch tagged 'Seven St James'.
Unveiled two weeks ago, Seven St James at the Seawind Beach Club was created to fill the void in entertainment and add a unique element to the island's tourism industry explains businessman Douglas Gordon. He partnered with six friends and Secrets Resorts and Spa in bringing the enviable South Beach Shore Club-styled concept to the front door of Jamaica's complete resort - Montego Bay.
"The idea is to bring something a little more polished to the entertainment product," Gordon told Food at one of his weekend brunches. The brunch starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. on Sundays and on Saturday the 'experience' starts at 10 a.m.
He explains that he is aiming to provide a combination of daytime activity with a captivating culinary experience and a need for nightlife targeted toward a sophisticated crowd.
Chic and sophistication
The brunch is the precursor to several elements planned by the group of businessmen and entertainment professionals, who are based in Los Angeles, California, New York City and Montego Bay. Their aim is to create an environment focusing on chic and sophistication, taking over the Seawind and transforming it into a Nikki Beach or Delano, two very popular South Beach attractions.
Seven already has the white sand beach and Caribbean Sea in its favour. This complements another great asset - greeters who wait on you 'hand and foot' with cold towels and the most tastefully done meals, complemented by electronic dance music, one of its unique selling points.
"The focus is on the experience, from the moment our guests approach the entrance to the time they are greeted with the cold towels," notes Gordon. "It also offers great cocktails and a fantastic first-class cuisine," he explained, noting that even the a-la-carte menu at the Seawind has been improved to meet the Seven standards.
His counterpart, Emilio Huhn, general manager of Secrets Resorts and Spas, predicts that Seven St James will be an attraction that people from all over the world will come to.
"Seven is a place where you can enjoy the weekend with the same crowd you would invite to a house party," notes Huhn, adding that what he felt was missing in Montego Bay was that place offering options on a Saturday and a Sunday.
With one of the key offerings being the signature brunch and beach club scene, the idea Douglas Gordon says is to create a lounge area inside the restaurant, allowing the Sunday evenings to evolve into a party experience.
In fact, he is forecasting that Seven will establish itself as the landmark venue in Montego Bay for the ultimate private parties, large celebrations, weekend brunch and the official playground for jet setters, celebrities and VIPs. From valet parking to attractive hostesses, Seven is definitely upping the luxury ante experience in Montego Bay.
Their exquisite menu ranges from signature lamb sliders, truffle French fries, creative sushi rolls, innovative seafood entrées to the Jamaican ackee and saltfish titillating the tastebuds of all you partake of the Seven experience.