18 Restaurants in 14 days? !!
Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:28 pm
Dear Steve and all,
I really don't want you to think that I spent the entirety of the last two weeks eating, but here is a summary of our experiences in the 18 or so restaurants that we visited or attempted to visit:
Alphamega - (Take away barbecue) currently being totally refurbished, expected to re-open in February. Beleived to be same cook as Miss Jean's.
Arnos Vale poolside restaurant - lunch - very variable food quality (re-heated fries saturated with oil an example, but the following day fine) and bar often out of stock of staple ingredients like Beer, Rum / Coconut Cream etc (yes really). Recommend to book for lunch or they may not even let you through the gate without lengthy discussion.
Barton's - great barbeque, especially on Friday with selection of Coocoo, Calalloo, Macaroni pie, noodles etc for about $25-30TT$.
Chef's BBQ. In my opinion, not quite as good as Barton's (when latter was not open) which is just across the road, but still good.
Boat House Restaurant (Castara) - good food and good value. Fabulous fabric hangings and fish mobiles on inside roof.
Crystals - original premises levelled to the ground, so grateful to new Photo Gallery for original photo memorobilia. Reported to be re-opened within the new Mall built at same site (also boasting new Pizza Boys?), but didn't go there this time.
Dillons Seafood Restaurant - First time we visited after 4 years, and excellent food and good quality Chilean Sauvignon Blanc for $120TT (about £11) a bottle, properly chilled. Why can't other restaurants do this, clearly it can be done?
Lutchman Choula - currently closed as it is being re-located to be above Melange, expected to re-open in March.
Melange - Great food, but wine not chilled and still overpriced, so check before ordering. Great entertainment (We saw the "Pleasure Pirates").
Marcia's Diner - Really good quality local food (Garlic Shrimp, Stewed Goat etc) at good prices, visited when all other options were already fully booked. Definately worth a visit for local style food.
Mr Fiddla's - Apparently closed - sign even broken.
Pizza Boys (Pleasant Prospect) - OK it is takeaway Pizza, but saved the day after long flight and unpacking, also very good value compared to UK prices.
Seahorse - Lunch - Repeat of last year's experience with appalling service. On arrival, I asked if there was a long wait for food, and was told that there was not. Food took an hour after ordering, and drinks ordered did not turn up after an hour and a half, even after 3 reminders. Barman apologised, but I feel that this is becoming the norm now.
Indigo - Good buffet barbecue, though I thought it was a bit expensive as such. African drums interesting but a real conversation killer as very loud. Some others that we met whilst travelling reported very poor service on non buffet evenings. Had trouble finding it, as there seemed to be no signs outside (or no lights). It is on the other side of the road triangle, opposite Pizza Boys and the Blue machine.
Jemma's tree house - Lunch - I strongly suggest that you call in advance to book, and at the same time pre-order the Breadfruit Pie, Egg Plant, and Tanya fritters. These are included in the cost of the meal when you order the shrimp / fish etc. Still expect a little surly / indifferent service in exchange for some excellent local food.
Salsa Kitchen - Great as ever. They seem to have both quality and service, and ambience totally under control.
Shore Things - Lunch - consistent quality, Great Pizza's, soups, Pastelles, fresh fruit juices and cakes. Good stop in downpour, as you can browse the (very interesting) gift shop whilst waiting for your order.
Rena'a "Chatack" Roti Shop - Lunch - Excellent Roti (TT23$) and Buss-up Shut (TT18$) in Scarborough, especially Shrimp and Duck on Friday's - Found this in TLH Building Compound, Milford, Lower Scarborough, Tobago.
Steve F.
I really don't want you to think that I spent the entirety of the last two weeks eating, but here is a summary of our experiences in the 18 or so restaurants that we visited or attempted to visit:
Alphamega - (Take away barbecue) currently being totally refurbished, expected to re-open in February. Beleived to be same cook as Miss Jean's.
Arnos Vale poolside restaurant - lunch - very variable food quality (re-heated fries saturated with oil an example, but the following day fine) and bar often out of stock of staple ingredients like Beer, Rum / Coconut Cream etc (yes really). Recommend to book for lunch or they may not even let you through the gate without lengthy discussion.
Barton's - great barbeque, especially on Friday with selection of Coocoo, Calalloo, Macaroni pie, noodles etc for about $25-30TT$.
Chef's BBQ. In my opinion, not quite as good as Barton's (when latter was not open) which is just across the road, but still good.
Boat House Restaurant (Castara) - good food and good value. Fabulous fabric hangings and fish mobiles on inside roof.
Crystals - original premises levelled to the ground, so grateful to new Photo Gallery for original photo memorobilia. Reported to be re-opened within the new Mall built at same site (also boasting new Pizza Boys?), but didn't go there this time.
Dillons Seafood Restaurant - First time we visited after 4 years, and excellent food and good quality Chilean Sauvignon Blanc for $120TT (about £11) a bottle, properly chilled. Why can't other restaurants do this, clearly it can be done?
Lutchman Choula - currently closed as it is being re-located to be above Melange, expected to re-open in March.
Melange - Great food, but wine not chilled and still overpriced, so check before ordering. Great entertainment (We saw the "Pleasure Pirates").
Marcia's Diner - Really good quality local food (Garlic Shrimp, Stewed Goat etc) at good prices, visited when all other options were already fully booked. Definately worth a visit for local style food.
Mr Fiddla's - Apparently closed - sign even broken.
Pizza Boys (Pleasant Prospect) - OK it is takeaway Pizza, but saved the day after long flight and unpacking, also very good value compared to UK prices.
Seahorse - Lunch - Repeat of last year's experience with appalling service. On arrival, I asked if there was a long wait for food, and was told that there was not. Food took an hour after ordering, and drinks ordered did not turn up after an hour and a half, even after 3 reminders. Barman apologised, but I feel that this is becoming the norm now.
Indigo - Good buffet barbecue, though I thought it was a bit expensive as such. African drums interesting but a real conversation killer as very loud. Some others that we met whilst travelling reported very poor service on non buffet evenings. Had trouble finding it, as there seemed to be no signs outside (or no lights). It is on the other side of the road triangle, opposite Pizza Boys and the Blue machine.
Jemma's tree house - Lunch - I strongly suggest that you call in advance to book, and at the same time pre-order the Breadfruit Pie, Egg Plant, and Tanya fritters. These are included in the cost of the meal when you order the shrimp / fish etc. Still expect a little surly / indifferent service in exchange for some excellent local food.
Salsa Kitchen - Great as ever. They seem to have both quality and service, and ambience totally under control.
Shore Things - Lunch - consistent quality, Great Pizza's, soups, Pastelles, fresh fruit juices and cakes. Good stop in downpour, as you can browse the (very interesting) gift shop whilst waiting for your order.
Rena'a "Chatack" Roti Shop - Lunch - Excellent Roti (TT23$) and Buss-up Shut (TT18$) in Scarborough, especially Shrimp and Duck on Friday's - Found this in TLH Building Compound, Milford, Lower Scarborough, Tobago.
Steve F.
