17/07/2020
With T&T coming out of the pandemic lockdown with thumbs up, I'm BACK OUT and answering !
Imagine it's been four months since we've been able to move freely, four months of staying-at-home and now knowing that Trinbago is as safe as can be with no reported cases I'm out and about and starting my post Covid19 restaurant reviews down at the Torouba Plaza in Marabella at Krave Restaurant to check out their new , so the Top Five Restaurants in Trinidad and Tobago, with patronage coming from all directions and sectors of the island. Since being reopened after the recent C19 lockdown, they have decided to give their customers an added taste at the bar.
The restaurant is owned by the Persad family, under the Persad group of Companies, which also includes the 'Persad D Food King' chain of supermarkets, Viaaa bakery and Bright Ideas. Executive Chef Dominique Beens is responsible for the restaurant's exciting gamut of international dining experiences and is constantly fine tuning his menu to perfection, and this under the watchful eyes of Leslie Ann St John, Business Development consultant for Krave, who through using her years of experience of working in the local and international fine dining industry continues to help steer the restaurant in a positive direction.
Until a vaccine can be found a post Covid19 world means a NEW normal, with some standards. As you arrive, you can expect a temperature check and staff in their face masks(or shields) with their warm smiles and greetings. The restaurant has lowered its patronage by almost 50% so social distancing dining can be seen, but though it was a Tuesday I was very happy to see that tables were filled throughout the evening. "Our customers haven't deserted us, in fact we are also seeing new faces and we receive constant calls on our upcoming menus," Executive Chef Dominique Beens tells me smiling. I do share his confidence. "With that in mind we have added this new concept to our dining menu, where you can step up to the bar and enjoy its own menu, in food AND beverage." Aptly branded Bar Kravings, these creations are the work of both Chef Beens and Krave's longstanding Mixologist Ravi Deonarine, with the aid of fellow mixologist Sylvester Ryan. Together they have created a menu that's both exciting and satisfying. This menu gives patrons the opportunity to enjoy Krave's top tier dining with excellent specials. "We offer our very popular cocktail specials, which ranges from $45 up." Ravi assures, "this month we offer specials on branded alcohol, this month our drink of choice is Baileys. We have a cocktail special featuring new and classic cocktails at $120 for 3. Also we've added more than 10 new drinks to our menu including non alcoholic options as well." And with this I begin my sampling of some creations.
These drinks are created to attract your culinary senses; be it sight, nose and taste.
• Gin Classics:
Pink Gin & Tonic,
Caribbean G & T,
• or Rum Creations:
Trini Sunset,
Bacchanal Lady and
The Twister (my all round favorite, as it leads with White Rum but you cannot get away from the hints of Rosemary, Lime and Kiwi).
• Then there's Christmas in July, primarily a Irish Cream Liqueur(Baileys), with ample hints of Apple Vodka, Midori, Strawberry Syrup and a House-Made Cookie Crumb whipped cream head, excellence!!
These beverages will keep you seated at the bar and warm to the touch.
Now with those special selections of drinks, Krave has kept a balance by also introducing an equally talented tapas menu for your enjoyment:
• Duck Flautitas - Made with tortillas fried to perfection for an crispy texture, filled with roast duck and served with a dollop of jalapeno cheese and guacamole.
• Buttered Sauteed Garlic Clams - PURE DIVINITY in culinary form. Clams sauteed in a well seasoned butter to perfection, served with housemade toasted Brioche Garlic Bread, perfect to help wirh that rich sauce. 😍😍😍
• Slowed Cooked Pineapple Wings - wings first roasted then slow-seared in a seasoned sauce and thick chunks of pineapple till sweet and sticky good. Served in 6 or 12 pieces.
• Rum Glazed Braised Pork Ribs - Ribs slowly stewed in a rum glaze. Another gem of a dish.
• Braised Meats Balls in a Red Wine Glaze - Meatballs bathed in rich, tasty Red Wine till glazed.
• Now Krave's newest offers include THREE burger choices, all created to Chef Been's exceptional standards. Your choices range from:
• The Krave Chicken Burger - A Chicken pattie served with 2 slices of turkey bacon topped with a Red Wine Onion Confit and offers a side of wedges, the patty is plump, well seasoned and seared correctly.
• The Krave Burger - A Black Angus beef patty with a Red Wine Onion Confit and Pineapple BBQ Sauce, this one topped with Pork or Turkey Bacon, Fried Egg Sunny Side Up, Jalapeno Cheese Fondue and Guacamole. Mouth watering.
• The Krave Master Burger is well named - Simply put this is a work of art. A Wagu Beef patty served medium to rare (thats how meat is cooked) or of your choice, topped with a real bacon and also topped with a Red Wine Onion Confit, Fried Egg Sunny Side Up, Jalapeno Cheese Fondue and Guacamole, as the doctor ordered. I rest my case...
I must ask that you leave space for dessert. The Classic Cheesecake is a pièce de résistance of desserts, all made in-house including the marshmallows, a fitting end to a perfect evening.
Krave has the knack of offering experiences with their dishes and one of many reasons those who flock to the restaurant walk away happy. Be it family, friends, business or just a couple wanting some alone time, there's always a place for you. So go answer that call, enjoy.
Certainly a pproved moment
Images shot with my
