Back in the 1996 Panmedia had a site on dining in Jamaica, and we have not lost our interest in food. This month we take note of two new restaurants in Kingston that broaden our choices. New Leaf offers perhaps the most sophisticated menu variety in vegetarian cooking we have seen here. With a tasty mix of Ital, Middle Eastern and even Trinidad cuisine, there is something for everyone at this cute takeout spot in Lane Plaza in Liguanea. Owner Paul Shoucair seems overcome with enthusiasm that he has finally succumbed to his major passion. “I love to cook and when I closed my music business this was an obvious next challenge,” he explains. He can cook. His Panini with Roast Vegetables, the Jerk Pasta and the Satay Vegetables will bring you back there in a hurry. His Doubles, a chickpeas wrapped in a soft, tumeric-flavored bread, is a bit different than the original from Trinidad, but just as delicious. There is much else to try on his menu and we hope you get a chance to eat what we believe is the tastiest healthy food in town. We found Caffe Da Vinci to be a nice addition to Market Place. Its chic décor and warm service makes it cozy and comfortable. The pasta is all al dente and the variety of Pino Grigio from the old country goes well with their tasty sauces. Making reservations turned out to be wise because this is the hot spot for dining at the moment and the place filled up quickly after we sat down. Part of its popularity is that Da Vinci serves a scrumptious pizza so it makes the restaurant a great dining choice for families. We saw a lot of anxious adolescents and teens waiting for their pizza order. The items on the menu we had were excellent, though in nouvelle cuisine sized portions. But there clearly is a chef here who knows Italian food. The ravioli with butter and sage is incredible, and a guest we took to dinner couldn’t get enough of the crispy shrimp. The linguine in a creamy walnut sauce was also delicious. Caffe Da Vinci is a rewarding dining experience and the only challenge is limiting yourself with the wonderful variety of bread they serve with a vinaigrette dip.