Italy Bound

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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For more information on Giro’s Pizza

Visit them online at

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

or

Place your order

1-868-280-4476 (GIRO)

 

Gluten Free and Happy in Trinidad!

What is a fodmap?

FODMAP is an abbreviated term for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. Basically these are molecules that exist in foods. They are sometimes poorly absorbed into the digestive tract. When this happens they become a food source to the bacteria in the large intestine. Hence, the individual develops symptoms that are suggestive of gastrointestinal disorders. These include nausea, pain, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation to name a few. Different individuals may have varying symptoms some may have fever from inflammation and others may even develop insomnia and anxiety.

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What is a fodmap diet?

This is a form of  dietary therapy for patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. It also scales foods on the high end of the map and the low end of the map. Usually, the low fodmap diet plan is recommended by gastroenterology specialists. This plan includes avoiding foods that are ferementable, oligosaccharides (fructans), dissacharides (excess lactose), monosaccharides (excess sucrose) and polyols (Sorbitol, Mannitol, Maltitol, Xylitol and Isomalt). The diet of the patient and symptoms are then monitored for their improvement.

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If you are on a low fodmap diet how will you survive in Trinidad?

It is very easy! You do not have to go all vegan and buy the expensive stuff! Just get creative with your new menu! I will fill you in on where these fodmap items are available! You can use your low fodmap diet plan as a guide to make your shopping  list. You can easily find some of the fruits, vegetables and rice at supermarkets, farmer’s markets and then there are the gourmets grocers. The local food guru Trinichow has already compiled a list of gourmet grocers and health food stores so click the link to see the options in Trinidad and Tobago below.

Gourmet Grocers & Health Food Stores in Trinidad & Tobago

Do not get too frantic about the cost of your new diet or where you may find these items or what if they are expired?! The reality is that Trinidad and Tobago like many other destinations have realized the need for accessibility and availability of the aforementioned items. Hence, there are entrepreneurs capitalizing on this opportunity to meet this demand. More significantly, it has been recognized that gastrointestinal diseases and symptoms are a prominent issue in today’s society.

In addition Trinidad and Tobago can boast of  a registered charity for patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. The National Association of Crohn’s and Colitis of Trinidad and Tobago enhances patient education and well being as well as public awareness for early diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, Trinidadian born and raised Dr. Anthony Kalloo made a breakthrough discovery in gastroenterology with his Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery which means surgery without incision of patient. He was well received with the distinguished educator of the year award from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Caribbean American Heritage Award (CARAH) in 2009.

My Tips

1. Work out a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu

20150613_200443(1) (Breakfast – gluten free bagel with cooked spinach and cheddar/hard cheese)

IMG-20150615-WA0010(Breakfast – Gluten free English muffin with baby spinach and cheddar cheese)

N.B. Sometimes I use almond butter as a spread with these muffins and bagels. Feel free to use what you like and what is on your low fodmap list!

IMG_20150615_194548(Lunch – Rice Lasagna with minced meat, green beans, carrots, cheddar, olive oil)

N.B. This was lunch for the “meat eaters” who are not on the low fodmap diet so there are some high fodmaps in this rice pasta like corn, peas, onions, garlic, ketchup, tomato paste. So you do not necessarily have to be vegan or on this diet to enjoy gluten free meals. By the way they absolutely loved it!

20150616_083830(Lunch- Herbed Potatoes )

N.B. It was  boiled,  strained, drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt, paprika, rosemary, marjoram and chilli. I had this with grilled fish and a side of baby spinach. So you do not have to be all fancy and there are lots of listed low fodmap herbs you can play with when creating your food. See what is available to you first before you go shopping. I even had dhal, rice and bhagi aka cooked spinach for one of my meals.

IMG_20150615_172115(1)(Dinner – Gluten Free Pizza– olive oil, cheddar cheese,olives from the low fodmap)

N.B. The thing to note here is that this was again created for the “carnivores” who do not live on a diet plan. There are items like chicken salami, pasta sauce, ketchup, green bell peppers, onions, corn from the high fodmap on this pizza.

2. Include dessert , fruit, snack and water intake

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(Snack – Gluten Free Brownies)

N.B. These are basically done. Everyone ate them and loved them. You do not have to be a vegetarian or pescetarian or vegan to enjoy this! These brownies are the end result of a brownie mix that requires water, eggs and olive oil to be added to it to create the brownie batter.

20150614_113935(Fruit – Kiwis)

N.B. You can create your own fruit bowls from the low fodmap or find the fruits that you like and use them!

3. Create a budget

4. Identify your closest low fodmap shopping areas

Gourmet Grocers & Health Food Stores in Trinidad & Tobago

N.B. I found some of my low fodmaps at Superpharm, the regular supermarket and the farmer’s market.

5. Make a shopping list

20150611_164605(Shopping – This is what I got from my shopping spree)

6. Go shopping!

7. Start creating!

8. Enjoy the labour of your love!

9. Research more recipes

10. Enjoy!

Your health is your wealth!

Take care of you first!