#chaguanas – Travel With A Purpose

Ambrosia Nectar Cafe is a whole food and organic cafe located at units 1 and 2 at #58 Old Southern Main Road Chaguanas (in the pink and cream mini mall that you see on the right side of the highway just after Brentwood if you are in the north bound lane on the Solomon Hochoy Highway heading to Port of Spain or further north of Chaguanas). You can call them at 1.868.289.5289 or 1.868.299.6242 for more directions (call way in advance if you are one of those drivers who needs to get their “waze” bearings right). They are conveniently opened from Monday to Friday at 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as well as Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ambrosia Nectar Cafe is hidden in plain sight. It is quaintly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city of Chaguanas and its environs.

(Photo Credit: Ambrosia Nectar Cafe)

I believe they were trying to translate the concept of organic and wholefood into the design of their store. I must say this was accomplished. They upcycled old school furniture like desks and chairs and set them as dining pieces to create a rustic look in their store. They twisted this rustic look with some clean, contemporary white washed walls and minimalism designs in shelving for their wide variety of teas and decor. Scented candles adorn tables and soften the ambience. Behind the counter the menu on the wall is a vintage chalk board and the coffee machines also take on this look. I am not a coffee drinker but the smell emanating from those coffee pots sent warm and happy vibes to my soul.The booster shot of euphoria for me came from the Jazzy tunes that echoed from their music system. (This stirred up lots of old but blissful memories for me of my best days reading poetry whilst waiting for my order to be filled at one of the inner booths in the British themed Cricketer’s Pub at Sandals Royal Caribbean.)

(Photo Credit: Ambrosia Nectar Cafe)

Ambrosia Nectar Cafe is a new kid on the food block. Just as the name indicates they are a whole food and organic cafe. So obviously they offer cafe type items; wraps, soups, sandwiches, salads, organic juices, smoothies, teas, pastas and desserts. If you are suffering from Celiac, leaky gut, IBS or any type of digestive disorder that requires you to be on a specific diet then Ambrosia Nectar Cafe is your haven (especially those of us who struggle to find the time and zeal to go the extra mile to “do it yourself” in the kitchen or those who would go out and not be able to enjoy much meal options due to debilitating health conditions). Overall the cafe is kept clean and tidy. There are not many persons on their service staff. I figure because they are new and this is a niche type of food service there is not much need to have more staff on hand. I must say though the hostess was very friendly and competent in her service delivery. I visited them in the afternoon so things were quite slow.

(Photo Credit: Ambrosia Nectar Cafe)

The price to portion sizes vary. Their prices are comparable with other restaurants and cafes so I will let them off on this one. If you are buying soup though try not to go “West Indian” on them. Even though Ambrosia Nectar Cafe is set in Trinidad their soups are more the American and French versions. This means the soup you order resembles a puree and not the fish broth, corn soup or provision chicken soup that you are accustomed to having at home or at your favourite local soup kitchen. Also do not ‘cuss’ them out because a small is just under the rim and large means the same take away soup cup is then filled to the brim. They are new and they are learning so hopefully they will catch on and if not and the public is comfortable with paying the difference in prices for not much of a difference then so be it.

(Photo Credit: Ambrosia Nectar Cafe)

I would definitely be going back to visit them. My few tips for you before you visit are as follows. If you love vintage, new experiences, new food or you have an obsession with clean eating and you live the eco chic lifestyle then this is probably a place you may like to spend your brunch, lunch or dinner. It is great for couples who want to experience something differently and enjoy a romantic dinner with the scene already set. It is a great hangout spot for girlfriends and the family. If you are a mother who is particularly fond of introducing your children to a healthier diet then this is also the place for you. Entrepreneurs can also plan their meetings here as the energy and space is a perfect mix to allow conversation and ideas to flow.

(Photo Credit: Ambrosia Nectar Cafe)

To find out more click the links below

Website: http://www.ambrosianectartt.com/#about

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambrosianectarcafe/info/

I am always so amazed that one nation has so many ethnic influences. I am even more thrilled by how many foreigners are finding entrepreneurship to be the Caribbean goldmine in Trinidad and Tobago. Business tourism is one of the many sectors that is flourishing as Trinidad dons the name “Manhattan of the Caribbean.” Another aspect of business that goes hand in hand with tourism is food. The colonizers can probably hold responsibility for all that is happening now. It is so ironic that the nation changed so many hands from European to British (and the list goes on and on) and today more than ever the foreign trade is making ties to this country and foreigners are migrating to set up business here. This is phenomenally paradoxical as the nation was fought for its trade potential ( among others) and now so many of its predecessor host county men and women are settling here for the purpose of business without the angst and hostility of war.

The Italians have since settled in Tobago and operate mostly food businesses. Hence, they celebrate their signature Italian food and desserts and they have been grown fond of over the years for their food and personable nature. In addition, this Italian food trend has become popular in Trinidad. There has been several launches of pizzerias, cafes and restaurants. The most recent that I have noticed happens to be Giro’s Pizza in Chaguanas. This is another first for Central Trinidad adding more cultural value to their landscape.

Giro’s Pizza is located at #87 Old Southern Main Road, Edinburgh Village in Chaguanas (just look for the red, green and white horizontal striped flag on the left hand side of the road opposite Wing Hua Chinese Restaurant). Their opening hours are Tuesdays to Thursdays 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays they open from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm. Sundays are more laid back as they open from 4:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. Giro facilitates walk ins, order to pick up service and delivery service (at the extra cost of TTD$15.00). This quaint pizzeria does not provide dine in service and there is limited street parking.

The menu captures wood oven baked pizza with meat, fish, shrimp and vegetarian options. The pizza sizes vary from 10 inches to 15 inches. These pizza prices can start as low as TTD$45.00 and scale all the way up to TTD$110.00. There is also vegetarian, chicken and beef lasagne all at TTD$59.00. Some interesting desserts are also hand crafted and stored for the sweet tooth fans. These include key lime pie, classic cheesecake, carrot cake, tiramisu, almond mousse cheesecake and panna cotta. The dessert rates start at TTD$20.00 and vary until they taper at TTD$35.00 per item.

My experience

Location: 4 stars

This is a convenient and accessible location

Parking: 3 stars

There is limited parking in front of the shop. Thankfully I went on a holiday and there was parking on the other side of the road as the business there was closed for the day. However, there are many spots on the street that accommodate parking.

Cleanliness: 4 stars

Giro keeps his work stations clean and washes his hands frequently. There is proper storage and refrigeration of food. Overall, clean place. But there is always room for improvement in sanitation.

Service:4 stars

There was a wait before getting the orders done but it was not very long as the pizza making and baking did not take long either. It is useful to note this can be a one man show at times (well at least the day I visited). The pizza chef did everything it seems; the cashing and pizza making but he is quite attentive, humble, warm and keeps good humour (typical traits of most Italians).

Food: 4 stars

This is authentic Italian cuisine and the wood oven makes it even more realistic. I took pizza fanatics with me (I’m on a low fodmap diet so I really cannot indulge in certain items for a while) to do the taste testing. They ordered a large eight slice Nibali pizza at TTD$90.00. This consisted of mozzarella, tomato sauce, pepperoni, pineapple and onions. They swapped the pepperoni for chicken on half of the pizza which is also an option if you would like to try two different types of pizza. They thoroughly enjoyed it but were not overly impressed as one of them found it not to be “fulling” to them whilst the other was able to eat twice from their share of pizza. Italian pizza is not American pizza so the Italian thin crust can probably account for this as well as the individual’s stomach capacity.

Ambiance: 4 stars

There is some homage to Italy with icons from the host country decorating the wall partitions. There is some abstract art on the wall as well. There are Giro Pizza logos branding the refrigerators and entrance. There is light Italian music and the live pizza making action and interaction of a busy light hearted Italian chef.

Price: 4 stars

The price is reasonable.

For more information on Giro’s Pizza

Visit them online at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GiroPizza/1386129835039112?sk=timeline

Place your order

1-868-280-4476 (GIRO)