Courtesy, KAVA at Kapok Hotel
By our count, nine new restaurants have opened in Trinidad in the last six weeks. We’re particularly excited to see that Chaguanas has its first Italian restaurant – Wild Olive Italian Bistro; St. Augustine added an adorable coffee shop and a sit-down restaurant with Tablespoon Coffee & Dessert House and Cafe Brulee respectively; and The Vine Grill opened in San Fernando.
- WILD OLIVE ITALIAN BISTRO (Chaguanas, Trinidad) - WILD OLIVE opens at Chaguanas’ Price Plaza on October 22nd. Bistro menu items will include pastas, paninis, salads, antipasti, entrees and more (chicken and meats are Halal; and there’s a children’s menu. Wild Olive is owned by the proprietors of Woodford Cafe. Link to entree, pasta & sides menu and Link to appetiser, salad & panini menu. (Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11:30am-11pm ). (868) 221-4742.
- KAVA at Kapok Hotel (Port of Spain, Trinidad) – Billed as “the perfect blend of food and ambiance,” the lobby-level KAVA launched at the end of September 2012 with a menu offering brick oven pizzas (!), burgers, steaks and salads, a full bar menu and an espresso bar. Link to KAVA menu. (Hours: Monday-Saturday, 3pm-11pm). (868) 622-5282.
- TABLESPOON COFFEE & DESSERT HOUSE (St. Augustine, Trinidad) – We’re so excited to visit this new coffee spot in St. Augustine! TABLESPOON COFFEE & DESSERT HOUSE serves coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and desserts like a New York Cheesecake with Cherries and White Almond Cupcakes. (Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday 11am-7pm). (868) 221-8504. Link to Tablespoon pictures.
- CAFE M² at SAMACITTA (Woodbrook, Trinidad) – Cafe Marrakesh has relocated and transformed into CAFE M² at the lovely Samacitta, “your home of well being.” Samacitta unites a yoga studio, an urban garden oasis, and the cafe under one roof. Cafe M² serves an all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner and delicious whole fruit smoothies. (Hours: Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm and Saturday, 8am-4pm). (868) 702-8685. Link to Cafe M² pictures.
- THE VINE GRILL (San Fernando, Trinidad) – THE VINE GRILL, which serves international fare and has a full bar, opened last week on Cipero Street. The restaurant is owned by the proprietors of The Olive Tree. (868) 653-1279.
- HAFIZ GRILL & PASTA HUT (Tacarigua, Trinidad) – Serving lamb, shrimp and chicken entrees, burgers, pastas and a kids menu, HAFIZ GRILL sounds like its a welcome addition to the East-West corridor. The restaurant opened at the beginning of October 2012 and serves lunch and dinner. Link to menu. (Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-10pm). (868) 771-3706 or (868) 771-3610.
- PITA PIT (Diego Martin, Trinidad) – Trinidad’s first PITA PIT franchisee opened its doors at Starlite Shopping Plaza in September 2012. We’re loving the pitas here and the prices! (Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm). (868) 632-5893.
- CAFE BRULEE & COCKTAIL BAR (St. Augustine, Trinidad) - CAFE BRULEE had its formal opening at the beginning of October; the cafe serves breakfast and lunch favourites like coconut bake and salt fish buljol; curry chicken, beef, goat and shrimp; dhal rice cook-up (with a pigtail option) and salad. (Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am-midnight; Sunday 3pm-10pm). (868) 663-5936.
- SPIKED CAFE TT (Price Plaza, Chaguanas, Trinidad) – SPIKED CAFE is a new coffee spot that opened in MovieTowne serving coffees, espressos and smoothies, paninis, crepes and wraps and desserts. Spiked Cafe website and Facebook page. (868) 462-CAFE (2233).
- MR RANGO’S COOKHOUSE (Chaguanas, Trinidad) – Offering a Mexican-inspired casual dining experience. Mr. Rango’s Cookhouse website. (868) 223-1600.
La Cantina was NEVER the same after it was sold. So glad the Montis are back and in South too! I visited Wild Olive – good start but maybe I am too demanding. lol. I reviewed it. I forgot to give them the props they deserve though for the sangria – though it took eons to get to my table!!! Thanks for the heads up on the Vine Grill….will check it out.