Restaurants - from our own experience

[Barry]

Restaurant review.


Please let me say that the following comments are purely our personal opinions. They will undoubtedly differ from other peoples impressions and the object of this exercise is simply to air our own views and perhaps assist people in forming an opinion. I should also add that without the Mytobago restaurant guide I would not have known where to even start. Overall the standard of restaurants we tried on the island was very good. There are many worse places here in Cornwall. Hygiene standards, even at the smallest roadside Roti shop, are excellent.


Bonkers – Crown Point
This was our first night out and we were a little disappointed – perhaps because we expected more. The service was prompt and cordial but not very warm. The food was, well… OK. We had doubts about the “lamb” curry but the other courses and meals were acceptable. Prices were very reasonable but my father would have described some of the portions as “stepmother size”. Apologies to all those wonderful, loving stepmothers out there – he was born in a very different era. A nice lively atmosphere despite our complaints.

Unlikely that we would re-visit unless many other restaurants had been destroyed by fire.



Patinos – Shirvan Road
Nice atmosphere but, as the only diners on the night we visited, it was a little quite. Service was very efficient, if a little cool and prices were reasonable. The food was very pleasant although we found some of the sauces a little overpowering for our taste.

We would re-visit.


Iguana café – Crown Point
We were very impressed with the service here, friendly and efficient. The atmosphere was good and the prices were very reasonable. Good for families in that there is a choice of vegetable with every dish that caters even for teenagers deprived of their normal quota of chips (fries). Get them to try the cassava fries for something different. Not haute cuisine but who needs it - we enjoyed our meals here. Drinks are very reasonably priced. The curried shrimps were excellent.

We did re-visit.


Jemmas - Speyside
What superlatives could I use that haven’t already been done to death on this forum. Delicious local food, lovely atmosphere, very reasonable prices and a superb arboreal location. We did find the service a little drawn out even though it wasn’t terribly busy but this did not detract from the experience in any way. Check out the ladies toilets – the décor is outstanding.

We would have revisited but it’s a long drive from Mount Irvine


Polo Club - Buccoo
Oh dear! We were looking forward to this but were very disappointed. The service was the worst we experienced on this holiday and possibly the slowest I can remember anywhere. Even by the relaxed standard of the Caribbean it was dreadful. After over half an hour we had to request that our first course dishes be removed after becoming nauseous from staring at the half eaten contents. We were one of only two occupied tables and our waitress was absolutely clueless. Was it her first night? Her colleague spent the whole time chatting and drinking with two people at the bar. I dread to think how much worse this whole thing would have been had it been a full house. The food was average pub grub and the portions were unimpressive. One of my children commented that they did not feel as though they were in the Caribbean when eating here – we could have been anywhere. Perhaps we hit this place on a bad day but it would have had to be the mother of all bad days to make a good place this poor.

We would re-visit only if in imminent danger of starvation.


Shore Things Café and Craft Shop - Lambeau
Now this was lovely. Only open during the day sadly. Get there early for lunch to claim the veranda seats - it is only a tiny place. The friendliest service we encountered and lovely home made food. Delicious fresh juice. Perfect desserts and prices that would have brought a smile even to old Ebenezer’s lips.

Did re-visit


Pizza Boys - Black Rock and Crown Point
Fast food outlet. OK in an emergency, especially if you have teenage kids. Typical of any take-away although the concept of “fast-food” is not really one that has been embraced in Tobago. Pasta was good, pizza was average and the kids enjoyed the hot dogs as a change.

Re-visited for lunchtime takeaway - under protest from the adults.


Miss Jeans/Esme – Store Bay
Well documented but worth mentioning that the local food was delicious at both these Store Bay outlets. I have to admit that although the curried crab is delicious, in my opinion, it is just not worth the mess and hassle. We took it home – the villa you understand, not Cornwall – and it was still next to impossible to extract anything from the shell. Is there a way to eat those things? I would be grateful for any local advice. The Roti, Bake and Shark etc was great.

Re-visited a couple of times



Masala Hot Roti Shoppe – Canaan?
Got one Roti too few from Miss Jeans one lunch time and didn’t realise until nearly back at Mount Irvine. This was the nearest Roti shop and was full of smiling, sated looking locals so we gave it a try. Delicious. Do bear in mind when they say “Pepper?” they mean it. I asked for medium and it was still pretty hot - hot but scrumptious.

Would have re-visited if we’d had enough time


Melange – Shirvan Rd
Another Oh dear! I tried to eat here twice. The first time, I dropped in on the way back from the beach to book a table and was told that they could not locate the chef. This perhaps explains the mixed reviews it gets on the forum. We decided to give it a second try a few days later when the chef had been relocated and revived. God knows why – perhaps drawn by the location. As we took our seats a large, very fast insect scuttled across the tablecloth, hid under a plate, re-emerged when the plate was moved a few seconds later and made its escape across my ashen-faced daughter’s lap. Now, I am no entomologist but this looked remarkably like a cockroach to me and I have seen plenty of them. I know we were in the tropics and they are unavoidable but it was the only one I saw the whole time I was on the island. My daughters refused to eat although the rest of us would have probably stuck it out. I explained the situation to the guy who appeared to be in charge. I made no accusations and explained that my daughter had simply lost her appetite. We had already ordered drinks so I paid for them and left. The attitude was very surly and dismissive. They charged $45TT for three beers which is the highest I was ever charged anywhere. Was this retaliation for our departure or their standard price? Pretty dismal either way. Rechristened “Malmange” by my family I’m afraid. One further thing, the menus we were given had prices for individual main courses in pale yellow type which were impossible to decipher without holding them at a ridiculous angle – what we could see looked on the high side compared to similar restaurants. I must admit that not having actually eaten anything there I am in no position to comment about the food - it may be delicious – you decide! The previous post from Fraser Nicol just illustrates how diverse our experiences and opinions can be.

Would not re-visit even if in imminent danger of death by starvation - the attitude more than anything


Amadeus – Whim
What a difference. There is just something about this place – it is comfortable, relaxing and has a lovely tranquil atmosphere. The carefully chosen background music helps but it is more than that. It is almost like being a welcome guest in someone’s home. The service was very warm and friendly. The Scandinavian owner has added a Nordic twist to the menu and everything was beautifully presented without being pretentious. The food was delicious and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. The desserts alone are worth the visit. Assuming anyone is actually reading this you may be thinking that the sting in the tail will be the prices; on the contrary, this was one of the cheapest meals we had. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. You must book as this place is popular with locals and tourists alike.

We did re-visit and will be doing so again.


Indigo – Pleasant Prospect
The best for last. The accent here is on very good food. A chalkboard menu is presented by someone I assumed to be the owner and each item is explained in detail. A mixture of local and international dishes. The service was very efficient, despite the full house and the atmosphere delightful. If you are lucky you will be entertained by the singer and steel drum player who were there on the night we ate. Terrific performers and great with the crowd. Entertainment only at weekends I believe. We tried to eat here on a Friday but it was fully booked – this resulted in our disastrous trip to Melange. It appeared to be a buffet and looked delicious but I could not convince them to squeeze us in – we were five, so I don’t hold it against them. It was the only time I didn’t ring to pre-book, unfortunately the number wasn’t in my travel guide. So in fact Steve, this was all your fault. Number, by the way, is 639 9635. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening here and would highly recommend this restaurant. Prices were a little higher than some places but represented very good value. Still compares very favourably to what you would expect to pay at home

Would have re-visited but ran out of holiday.


Hope some of this proves helpful.