Trinidad, not Tobago, has perhaps never achieved a top ten spot as one of the Caribbean’s top tourist destinations. But what no other island can take away or boast is its unique position as the Caribbean’s number one place to hang out or what the Trinis affectionately call whitewashed. The island is incomparable in this regard and absolutely no one with real information about the region can deny such an indisputable fact. Trinidad is the Caribbean leader in parties, outings and fun.
Whitewashing occurs far and wide on Calypso Island, but it is carried to incredible heights over a sprawling strip of asphalt known as Ariapita Avenue. Commonly known as Avenue, it is the centerpiece of Woodbrook; a still proud middle-class now semi-residential district just outside of Port of Spain proper and southwest of St. James, a neighborhood widely known as “the city that never sleeps.” The Avenue isn’t just famous and run-of-the-mill, it’s actually world famous. Gigantic unofficial street parties sandwiched between two popular bars (Coco Lounge and Finlandia) dominate the weekend. This area of the street is flooded with numerous limes that often disperse to their respective homes between half past three and around five in the morning. Groups of other people from all walks of life could also be seen whitewashing and enjoying various types of music at many of the other swanky bars and grog venues along the strip. Local and foreign celebrities are also known to cruise the avenue on foot or in their expensive machines on wheels in search of various forms of excitement. Musicians, singers, sports personalities, media personnel, politicians, professionals, businessmen and even local authors can be seen traversing the busy avenue of fun.
In addition to its weekend street parties, the avenue is famous for its wide range of sumptuous delicacies that customers, partygoers, limers and passers-by can easily obtain on the street itself or in picturesquely designed structures. Roadside food vendors offer hungry passers-by anything from American burgers, fries and fried chicken to Trinidadian doubles (spicy balls of channa squeezed between two pieces of golden fried dough), beef chowder, soups corn and Arabic gyros (Doner Kebab). The ultimate meal consisting of vegetables, chicken, lamb, goat, or beef gently wrapped in pita bread has recently lost its semblance of a strange foreign novelty and has since become a coveted specialty; inspiring winding queues of patrons eagerly anticipating a small bite of the Middle East. But if there is one place in Trinidad where restaurants outnumber street vendors it is Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook. Some of the best chomp joints are found along this popular route, welcoming foodies who prefer stylish decor, comfortable furnishings, glass panels, and air conditioning over tropical breezes, sidewalks, the walls, park benches and unwanted car exhaust. Chinese restaurants are a virtual norm on the island, but these establishments are surprisingly rare on the avenue, considering they are ubiquitous in other urban and suburban areas of Trinidad. The most outstanding is the Chinese restaurant Me Asia, located in front of the famous Adam Smith square; an important judgment point during Carnival time. Ordinary food places serving grilled and fried meats alongside pizza, burgers and soft drinks would naturally be expected on the popular strip. But for genuine international exoticism when it comes to indoor dining, Ariapita Avenue stands out above all other boulevards, streets, and districts. The busy enclave is dotted with foodie havens serving well-prepared dishes from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Jamaica, etc., etc. The delectable delicacies from the buffet along with Trinidad’s exotic and tropical fruit juices cannot be left out as travelers from the four corners of the world arrive in search of the island’s peculiar edibles.
Angelo’s is an automatic choice for foodies with Italian appetites. Authentic Spanish, Mexican, Portuguese and Caribbean dishes can be found at El Pecos, Mixtura and Tapas. French cuisine is served at Parisianesque a’ La Bastille, while Irie Bites Jerk reassures Jamaican-style meat lovers. Jerk like gyros has also given up its insulated cloak of darkness and given it the elegant mantle of popularity. Both More Vino, a spectacular wine bar stocked with vintage wines from around the world, and LeVeLs, an elegant dining room, are equipped with sushi bars. Seafood as a specialty is available at the elegantly charming Chateau de Poisson. Diners with Trini, Creole, or Caribbean palates can check out Sweet Lime Restaurant, Mangoes, Veni Mange, and the newest kid on the strip, Relish.
Whitewashing the avenue, especially at night, is a must whether one is an itinerant citizen of Trinidad or an enthusiastic visitor from a foreign country. A heady mix of nightspots; game rooms; member clubs; food vendors; food queues; excitement in almost every corner; exquisite restaurants; contagious music; a continuously festive atmosphere; mild-mannered human beings of all shades, creeds, and tongues constantly on the move; a well-kept park/square; and expensive cars driven by fun-hungry passers-by have kept Avenida Ariapita ahead of the pack when it comes to having a good time in Trinidad. Although it is pressured on almost all sides by other whitewashing hotspots, such as the main western St. James road, Cipriani Boulevard and Tragerete road; Ariapita Avenue continues its dominance over the undisputed seat of the whitewashed title. None of the others may be first, but many of them may be next to or below the world famous Ariapita Avenue in Woodbrook.
