Jemma's Tree House Restaurant

PWNorris · Post by **PWNorris** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:53 pm

On our way to Little Tobago we stopped in at Jemma's Tree House for lunch. We had read a lot about this place beforehand so expectation was rather high - and to say the least we were very disappointed. Admittedly the place itself is indeed set in the trees with views of the sea but everything else about it seemed so artificial to us. Plastic table cloths, plastic flowers and staff dressed in a uniform style similar to McDonalds. We were not made at all welcome and when someone did eventually serve us they were extremely surly about it, giving the impression that they had seen more than enough tourists. This was the only time on the whole island that we encountered anything other than warm and friendly people. Perhaps we just had a bad experience but to us, Jemma's is not what Tobago is all about.

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 4:01 pm

I confess that no restaurant on Tobago has intrigued me more than Jemma's. I totally endorse your comments and have said the same things many times. However, you cannot deny the pleasure that so many visitors seem to get from the place. In fairness, Jemma's side dishes can be really top class - when they're not stone cold. However, the general touristy feel of the place, dirty tables and general poor ambience are a real turn off for me and words fail me regarding the surly service. That, sadly, seems to be a Speyside characteristic.

Bryn · Post by **Bryn** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 4:54 pm

I couldn't disagree more with the two of you. We have visited Jemma's numerous times in the past 6 years and have never had cold food, rude service or any other negatives. In fact, this trip it was the ONLY restaurant in which we received good meal value, excellent service (with smiles and conversation!) and felt like our patronage was actually appreciated. We drove up there twice in our two week stay. I spent my birthday lunch there as well. I didn't want to go anywhere else.

To each their own but I honestly have yet to have a bad experience at Jemma's so will continue to endorse it as well as look forward to future dining experiences there......they have the best lobster on the island!

As for the artificial ambiance.....that's Tobago......almost every restaurant has artificial flowers. It's just what they do there.

Cheers,
Bryn

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 4:57 pm

Hi Bryn

You demonstrate exactly what I mean. That's why Jemma's intrigues me so much - the fact that it can engender such a huge difference in opinion. Its fascinating.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:45 am

I agree with Steve!Over-hyped and over priced!In my opinion the best is Birdwatchers and across the road from Jemma's is a little eatery who's name I can't recall which is very good.
David(seriously counting down!!)

Gisela Grell · Post by **Gisela Grell** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:03 pm

I had been to Jemma's in October 2005 with some friends. Food was delicious but prices high. Well, must be the athmosphere because we really enjoyed our stay and had perfect service.

I also heard about this other smal restaurant close to Jemma's what should be very good AND cheap. It was somewhere in the forum but I cant remember where. This May I will try to find it and give you all a special "lobster report".

Cheers

Giselle (8 days to go, sorry David) $\:D/$
a.k.a. Shorty

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 8:04 am

Hi Gisela and David

I believe the small restaurant you are thinking of near Jemma's is Redman Simple. Very good food at good prices, but less 'atmosphere' than Jemma's. A much more genuine experience though. Redmans or Birdwatchers would be my choice for local food in Speyside.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 11:31 am

Redman's it is Steve.My geriatric braincell couldn't recall it-except that I had a good lunch there!
Cheers David

Phil Dean · Post by **Phil Dean** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:19 pm

I'm so relieved to read this, we went out on a guided walk in the rainforrest and ended up at Gemma's for lunch prior to/or after (can't remember) a trip out towards little tobago to snorkel over a coral reef.

the other guys with us who went a different day, thought it was great, we really didn't like it and enjoyed other places much more..............

I've only ever heard good reports so assumed it was me that was wierd..........though that may still be the case.

Paul Makin · Post by **Paul Makin** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 4:18 pm

only just seen this. i kept quiet for years but i just never really got Jemmas.

paul

Barrett · Post by **Barrett** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:54 pm

I have'nt been to the post in a while, but when i see a name i recognize from castara, i read the topic.....
I was highly dissapointed on my trip to jemma's.
All that i read about it, built it up to be this fantastic little nest of a resturant hidden amongst tree tops......
Once we sat, i felt phony......and as for plastic flowers, i don't recall seeing them at any of the places i ate in castara....
The bread pudding was delicious, overall the prices were way too high and we were treated rudely, like everyone working was just burnt out with having every foreign foot that treads on tobago make the pilgramige to the famous spot.... it was quite a trek from castara to speyside, jemmas was a huge dissapointment and i could not help but to feel a little robbed that i had not stayed where i had grown to feel welcolmed....
Over my stay in castara, i ventured out of the village several times looking for differences to remember, but each time nothing compared to castara-
i do realize i am biased since i made my home base there- and i do intend to venture to some other villages for a few nights my next trip---any suggestions(nowhere near speyside!)

Colin Carver · Post by **Colin Carver** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:44 pm

We were in this restaurant on Tues 26th and I've got to agree it's nothing special, liked the bit about the staff dressed like McDs. Ha Ha Even though we were with a local the service was poor, food average. Nowhere near as good as you think it will be.

Jo Hughes · Post by **Jo Hughes** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:16 pm

I too went there first week in July this year, and it has gone downhill since I was first there for lunch 2 years ago. The outside of the restaurant looks a bit 'tired' and run down. I did comment to our taxi man that Jemmas is no longer on the tourist map which we always get on arrival from Virgin (it promotes all of the main attractions/services) and he couldnt understand why. Local tour guides used to use it a lot as part of their tour, so dont know what is going on.

I thought it was over priced for what you got

Stephen Hull · Post by **Stephen Hull** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:29 pm

Having sampled the delights of Bird Watchers for the first time earlier this week and having been to Jemma's several times before, the food at Bird Watchers is easily as good as Jemma's (and somewhat cheaper) and the service was very friendly.

Steve H

Julian Mansfield Hickman · Sat Jul 29, 2006 11:56 pm

Jemma's is, as has been described on these web pages, a very mercurial institution. I have eaten there twice in the last couple of weeks (we are on holiday here for a month - half way through as I write) but always our backsides were on seats at around noon. The food was very good, particularly the lobster, with very ample portions though not cheap - although cheaper and fresher than you would ever get in the UK. The service too, from a very pregnant lady. was fairly reaonable. Leave getting there until 12:30 or 1 pm and forget it as the droves arrive on trips. You can wait forever (this was the case last year) with no sign of beverage or food. Strangely, this year as opposed to last, when we here at the same time seems to be devoid of visitors. Particularly noticeable on Pigeon Point beach where the beach has been empty in comparison. Is this a World Cup effect or a.n.other ?

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:34 am

Well,Gemma'shas raised it's head again!!I have eaten in most "local" restaurants,bars and what nots and have found plenty that far exceed Gemma's in quality,variety,consistancy,courtesy and value for money.In Speyside itself there are at least two other places which are in my view far better.I believe that Gemma's made a reputation and now exists on wilted laurels.As a proffesional Chef,I can recognise good quality,well prepared,fresh local food without a problem,even if I am unfamiliar with the product.I'm afraid once again,in my opinion,Gemma's fails on all three accounts!Sorry.
David(121 days to go

)

Barrett · Post by **Barrett** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 5:46 am

David- i highly agree, and am planning a trip back to the island-
hopefully i see you there!
Barrett

CliveL · Post by **CliveL** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:48 pm

We first went to Jemma's as part of teh Speyside safari trip, and had a reasonable meal with a choice of fish or chicken. However, we thought that we'd like to try it again under our own steam for the shellfish, and went back there before we went on a Rainforest trip.

Ok, so the place is a bit touristy. However, the views are pretty good. For us, the main problem was the flies, but I don't think that you can blame Jemma's for this.

No menus were offered, just a waitress offering chicken, fish, a couple fo other dishes and lobster. We ordered lobster for 3 of us. We had had rock lobster tails at the Seahorse twice before (very nice, but fairly small helpings), and didn't know what to expect from Jemma's. Plates and cutlery turned up, followed by a range of side dishes - rice, couscous, mixed vegatables, breadfruit in cheese sauce and salad. No sign of the lobster, so we eventually dug in to the side dishes, which were delicious. Then, the lobster. A serving dish taht took up most of the table arrived with three massive lobsters on it, all sliced ready to eat. We struggled to finish, and as the flies descended we had to give in. With all the food and the drinks we had, the bill ws TT$800 - certainly not cheap by the island's standards for a meal, but for quantity and quality fo food, we felt that it was a suitable treat.

Yes, service is offhand, rather than surly. Still, enjoyable for us....

Edwin J. · Post by **Edwin J.** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:15 pm

The food at Jemna's is excellent but the staff makes you feel unwelcome. Of all the restaurant we've visited on Tobago, this was the only one with unfriendly staff. I would not go there again.

Bird Watchers has very good traditional cuisine. I enjoyed very much eating there.

Stewart T · Post by **Stewart T** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 4:24 pm

I was just cruising through these forum pages, having not visited for a while, and couldn't pass up the chance to add my tuppence-worth, re. Gemma's.

Our (large) party visited Gemma's for lunch on Sunday 19th Feb 06 as part of my wife's 50th birthday celebrations (pre-booked through the Coco Reef).

On arrival, we proceeded to order drinks (it had been a long, dry, taxi ride up the West coast) only to be told 'sorry, no beer or wine - just soft drinks'. 'you have got to be kidding' came our response, 'Nope' the reply (could this be a Sunday/religious thing? – if so, future diners be warned!). No menu was offered, but we were given the choice of chicken or fish (no mention of lobster though – CliveL). A 'scouting party' did mange to secure an amount of cold beer and wine from a small bar 150 metres back down the road (emptying their fridge in the process) and Gemma's did allow us to use their wine glasses, but overall, the food and service was – at best – barely adequate.

On the positive side, we will always remember the experience – and have since recounted (and had a good laugh about) that infamous 50th birthday lunch, many times.

Cheers to all - stu

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