Photo: Flying Fish: Mark Lyndersay

In its La Boucan restaurant, The Trinidad Hilton offers an international menu prepared by chef Robert Gibbins. For authentic Italian dining, there’s Il Colosseo in Woodbrook, recently-opened and elegant; Botticelli’s at the Grand Bazaar in Valsayn, and The Gourmet Club and Pavio’s in Maraval.

Rafters in Newtown features an international menu, and has been a consistently popular spot in recent years. La Ronde at the Holiday Inn is a revolving restaurant on the top of the hotel, with spectacular views of the city and the hills. La Fantasie at the Hotel Normandie serves an international-creole menu, with Kali Orexi, a special Greek menu, on Sunday evenings. Other hotels with noteworthy restaurants are Chaconia Inn and the Royal Palm Suite Hotel, both in Maraval.

There’s no shortage of Chinese cuisine in Trinidad, often prepared by chefs from China and Taiwan. Hong Kong City has established a reputation for authentic Cantonese dishes. Other notable Chinese restaurants in Port of Spain include Song of China (Ariapita Ave.), Singho (Long Circular Mall), Kam Wah (Maraval Rd.), and Shay Shay Tien (Victoria Avenue). Outside the city, the Valpark Chinese Restaurant is located in the Valpark Plaza; and in San Fernando, Soong’s Great Wall is known for its well-prepared Chinese fare. Most Chinese restaurants also offer a weekly buffet.

Seafood is widely available, but Chateau de Poisson, located in a charming gingerbread house in Woodbrook, makes it the centre of its menu. The Pelican, in Cascade offers a wide variety of international and pub food.

For Nouvelle Caribbean — fresh local ingredients prepared Trinidad-style — try Veni Mangé in Woodbrook. In addition to meats, poultry and seafood, Veni features vegetarian options such as Blackeye Pea Croquettes in tomato sauce, not to mention a warm, lively atmosphere animated by Trinidad’s most energetic hosts and wait staff (dinner is served only on Wednesdays). The Verandah, on Rust Street, also serves good lunches in elegant style, with warm and discreet service; tasty creole stews, soups and salads are available nightly at Woodford Café, which is also a very popular lunch spot with a flexible menu.

Monsoon Restaurant on Tragarete Road features an Indo-Trinidadian menu: curried meats, poultry and seafood served with dhal puri and paratha, with substantial servings, a pleasantly casual atmosphere and attractive prices.

For an African flavour, try Festak on Frederick Street, which serves authentic Ghanaian specialities. And for waterfront dining out of town, try The Anchorage at Chaguaramas, or Crews Inn and The Bight a little further on, part of the big yachting community on the peninsula. For fresh bagels and speciality breads Adam’s in Maraval is a must for breakfast, lunch or tea.
Georgia Popplewell

Because Man (and Woman) shall not live by hamburgers alone, God created the multi-course meal. Musicians will tell you that the violin was invented so that Stradivarius could move product, but gastronomes know that the instrument was really designed to put the haute into haute cuisine. Ditto for the single-stemmed red rose, the fine linen tablecloth, the finger bowl. Because at some point in your life, you want to dress up, go out, and sit down in a place where the lights are low and the standards high.

The fine dining experience in Trinidad involves a range of world cuisines in exquisite settings. India? For a taste of the subcontinent, try Apsara, at The City of Grand Bazaar. Apsara’s Indian chefs prepare an array of classic Northern Indian specialties, including tandooris, kormas, paneers, vegetable dishes and breads. The dessert menu features the delectable Kulfi (ice cream made from almonds and cashews) and Kesar Phrini (rice pudding with saffron pistachios).

The Ali Baba Restaurant in Maraval serves Lebanese delights like Kalamarakia (squid sautéed in olive oil and garlic), Chicken Pistachio, or Samkee Heera (Red Snapper stuffed with pine nuts and garlic, cooked with Tahini sauce).The traditional Lebanese Meza, a selection of appetisers from the extensive menu, features Fattoush, Mahmara, Baleelah and several different types of Kibbi. (According to chef/proprietor Joseph al Habre, a true Meza should last three to four hours, so those pressed for time should steer clear!) On some nights, Lebanese belly-dancers are present to spice things up — though the other kind of wine (a Trinidad in-joke) can be ordered from Ali Baba’s extensive wine list.

Solimar in St Ann’s describes itself as a purveyor of “International Fine Food”, and there really is no better term to encompass the variety of offerings prepared by chef/owner Joe Brown, who also says: “If I don’t cook, we don’t open.” Solimar features one of the country’s longest wine lists plus monthly food festivals showcasing authentic Cajun, German, Japanese, Indian and South East Asian, Scottish, Mediterranean and other cuisines. International selections from several different countries are available daily. For a veritable cook’s tour, begin, for example, with Alaskan Salmon and Crab Cakes on a bed of Wilted Greens, Gravlax of Mahi Mahi or Home Smoked Long Island Duck Breast; continue with Trinidad-style Solimar Seafood Platter, Grilled Pork Loin “Wacholder” or Chicken Korma; end with Double Chocolate Mousse. Valet parking is available.

Tiki Village, at the top of the Kapok Hotel, features a view of the city as well as a delicious blend of Asian and Polynesian cuisines; it also serves dim sum at weekends.