myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hi!

My wife and I are visiting for the first time from 3 November and would like advice on what "casually elegant" means for dining in the restaurant!

We don't want to take the whole wardrobe (we'll probably have the kitchen sink already), but don't want to be out of place either! Any advice?!?

Thanks!

G

Hi Graham

Welcome aboard!

It basically means exactly the same as at any and every good quality hotel anywhere in the world, so don't think that the Coco Reef are particularly formal or anything. You'll be fine in anything except shorts or 3/4-length trousers or jeans, and any form of sleevless or collarless shirts (such as singlets/T-shirts etc). Don't think that jeans are OK just because they've got a designer label on them. The same applies to shoes. No trainers or open sandals. It doesn't matter how much they cost or what the label is, scruffy is scruffy regardless of label or cost.

Hi Graham

Welcome aboard!

It basically means exactly the same as at any and every good quality non-American hotel anywhere in the world. You'll be fine in anything except shorts or 3/4-length trousers or jeans, and any form of sleevless or collarless shirts (such as singlets/T-shirts etc). Don't think that jeans are OK just because they've got a designer label on them. The same applies to shoes. No trainers or open sandals. It doesn't matter how much they cost or what the label is, scruffy is scruffy regardless of label or cost.

Hi Graham

The Coco Reef does not have a policy on shoes in Tamaras restaurand it only states that shoes must be worn. However I think they would ask you to change out of trainers but there were many men wearing low cost flip flops in Tamaras whilst I was there a couple of weeks ago.

Regards
John

Thanks!

Sorry, reading back my post I didn't mean my comments about "scruffy is scruffy" to sound the way they did. What I was trying to point out is that certain types of garment or footwear are likely to be seen as scruffy and you may encounter problems simply because they fall into a certain category.

Regardless of what John say, I KNOW of a case of someone being questioned within recent weeks BECAUSE they were wearing open shoes.

We hear this time and time again. If its only border-line, nothing will be said - but expect to be given a bad table and cold-shouldered by the staff.

My advice is to play safe and dress 'conventionally'. If you want to wear 'trendy' clothes, skip the Coco Reef and try the Hilton.

Thanks Steve!

Trendy isn't a problem for me!!

I remember having read this post before I went to Coco Reef in november last year. I promised myself i wanted to write in it when I came home. It's been a while, but now I'm doing it. Let me explain what excactly happens in Tamaras when it comes to dress code (as of my experience there):

First of all - I had a marvellous time in Tobago. It was fantastic. I cannot recommend it enough. I could go on for hours. Please don't let the following disturb your plans, I just want you to know it, since it was a doubt I had as well before going.

Tamaras is a great resturant. They do have a dress code. The dress code is:

Men:
1. No jeans
2. No short trousers
3. No shirts without collar
4. decent shoes
Women:
Apparantly none.

Unfortunately - but understandable - there is noone at Tamaras to be a fashion judge. Nobody is capable of determining "ok, this guy looks like a million pounds" - they only have these 4 guidelines and they follow them strictly. If you do too, you'll have no problem. And they are quite easy to follow. A pair of black shoes, some sand-coloured slacks and a pink lacoste t-shirt (polo) will do. As long as it is coherent with the 4 rules.

On our first night (jetlagged, flying several hours, confused, just arrived, you know) we had decided to go to 'the other resturant' - but it was closed because of heavy rain (just that night, luckily) and therefore we 'had to' go to Tamaras. I was wearing black Armani Jeans (you cannot tell it's jeans unless you look closely) a striped T-shirt and a jacket + black italian designer shoes (my traveling outfit ). In my own opinon I could have been voted best dressed that night (!) But that does not count. It was denim trousers and there was no collar on my t-shirt.

We took the chance ("chance" - having read this post) and were turned away. I then quickly ran to our room, found some black non-jeans-trousers with stripes (the bottom-half of a suit) and a short-sleeved very old and outworn shirt which I had brought for the beach in case of too much sun. I looked a complete mess and felt bad in it, but then it was okay.

I was seated next to a girl who looked like she was really into heavy metal music or shooting a horror movie. She had a tatoo across her bare back, a ring in her lower lip and wore black make up.

I honestly believe that if I had put on my pyjama to Tamaras, they would have let me in. As long as it is not jeans, shirt without collar, short trousers + with decent shoes. For girls it seems there is no dress code what so ever.

I'd like to stress out that we had the time of our lives. Tamaras is a fabolous resturant. Coco Reef is absolutely excellent. But it's not a dress code - it's a principle. Nobody's going to determine if you are looking good or not. They just follow the 4 steps they have been told to follow. You do that too!

Hi Christian

I have to say that Eric Feniet, the Hotel Manager told me in person that he does NOT have a shoe code in Tamaras Restaurant.

Your other points are correct and I actually agree with the policy but like to see it applied to all. jeans are jeans and a collar less shirt is a T shirt no matter how much it cost.

Regards
John

I have to say that Eric Feniet, the Hotel Manager told me in person that he does NOT have a shoe code in Tamaras Restaurant.

Ok, sorry about the shoe misunderstanding.

jeans are jeans and a collar less shirt is a T shirt no matter how much it cost.

Yes. True. And a shirt with collar is a shirt with collar, no matter how much it is lacking in taste or how inexpensive it is (like gift shop pink and yellow with palms and a text that reads "my girlfriend went to Hawaii and all I got was this lousy shirt (with collar)") and any pair of trousers not made of denim are fine.

My point is: don't be afraid you will not be classy enough to dine at Tamaras. It's not a question of taste, style, fashion. It's simply a no jeans & no t-shirt policy. The lady at the front desk is not 'checkin' your style' - she simply checks denim & collar.

I was annoyed the first evening, but just accept it - that's my advice.

Personally, I ended up buying a pair of sand coloured trousers from the hotel shop ("Radical Design") - they served me well for the entire trip. I would never wear them to a resturant back home

I hope I don't sound too annoyed about this. If I do, it's a question of lacking english skills. When you do get in to Tamaras, you'll have a fantastic evening.

Hi,

I thought I'd add in my little bit on Tamaras aswell. We stayed at Coco Reef last November (anyone who knows me on here - we got married there and had a brill time).

Me and James were two novices on the whole going abroad thing anyway and being a young couple, we don't exactly dress smartly for much. We were aware there was a dress code for Tamaras and nervously went along like a couple of schoolkids to start with but everything was fine. We were not turned away once on our stay and I only saw one person being turned away and that was because the lady was wearing a bikini top. Both of us for breakfast wore 3/4 length trousers and t-shirt tops and in the evenings we did enjoy the opportunity to dress smartly but James still wore his shirt untucked and they were fine with it.

Alot of the time we chose to eat in Bacchanals instead but this was mainly because it was alot cooler with the sea breeze coming across and we preferred the food. It certainly wasn't because of any dress codes. I think as long as you're not sat there in swimwear then they're fine.