Trio for two

The sharing of a meal is always part of a love story, a memorable family occasion, the way people connect, reconnect and stay connected – and for me – it is the best way to be expressive and learn the expressions of others. For no reason at all – but for the love of food – spontaneous dinners, whether at home or at a restaurant, and date nights added to a diary of things to do, have become a trend. Let me invite you to join in uncovering some of the best spots in Jamaica to sit down and enjoy a meal, with the person of your choice. Put on your best outfit, come with a hunger for flavour and step out on the town for ‘Date nights with Steffi’.

It was only fitting to invite my usually, busy partner in crime, Delano ‘DJ3D’ Thomas, who has a picky and expensive appetite, to indulge in cuisine at Trio Grill Wine Bar for the first night out, because if there was ever a love we shared, it is for food.

It’s midweek, in the capital city, just after peak hours. A charming and tranquil space is certainly what most couples choosing to take a spur-of-the-moment night out on the town are in search of. Trio Grill Wine Bar at 64 Hope Road bills itself as ‘Kingston’s finest restaurant, bar and lounge’ having a menu that is heavy on beef and seafood, it has nailed the cuisine that has an international flair fused with Caribbean flavours. On the menu for this date: salmon cakes (as appetiser), and for entrées, we were provided with three options, the creamy Tuscan seafood medley with linguine, citrus-glazed, flame-grilled smoked pork chops and lobster thermidor in coconut curry sauce, served with mashed potato. The dinner was ordered and served within minutes with the help of Sade Levy, more popularly known as Chef Bae, who is the supervisor for both front and back of the house. She also selected two of the best, affordable wines – a red for me, a dry white for him.

It’s always refreshing to hear a host ask, “Table for two?”, especially when date nights have become so rare. It became extra special when she not only did the meet-and-greet, but also grabbed a seat. It was intriguing to learn how a restaurant which opened in the peak of the pandemic has managed to keep its doors open, “but the food and ambiance speaks volumes,” Chef Bae told Food.

“We didn’t do a big launch to the public, and we were able to find a strategy to survive the curfew and lockdown periods. But for sure, we were able to do that because of our customers. I find that to be extraordinary, the way word of mouth has helped us to pass information to many,” she continued.

Trio would have marked its two-year anniversary on November 6. Its co-owner, Carlos Max Brown, also made the rounds. He has always been that restaurateur who makes it part of his duty to engage customers even on the busiest of nights (from the days of Carlos’ Café on Belmont Road). Surprisingly, he remembered my juvenile face and came to find out if everything was OK. There was little to complain about. I preferred the pork chops (but that could be a biased pick, since a properly cooked pork chop is the key to my heart), which had a memorable sauce, tangy, but with just the right balance of sweet and savoury. However, once it got cold, I became uninterested – and that was my own fault. For any of the three entrées, don’t get caught up in conversation and wait too long to have them. The salmon cakes are a must-have appetiser.

At the side of the restaurant and lounge is a covert passageway that leads to a private dining area which is easily transformed for any occasion. Trio’s entire décor screams date nights – whether for two or a few. Fun fact: every Monday for November as we celebrate Food Month, the restaurant will be having specials on the menu.

“We want our customers to feel comfortable and appreciate, no matter what their budget is. So, it’s not unusual for us to provide menu options to persons. We’ve had persons call and share their budget, and we put a platter together that suits their pockets,” Chef Bae affirmed.

It’s safe to say we left feeling satisfied, and stuffed. Oh! Let’s not forget dessert, which was an overload of chocolate. Trio’s signature Baileys cheesecake and chocolate decadence are winners. Thinking of a nightcap, remember chocolate is an aphrodisiac, but beware, any of the two will also give that sugar rush that could possibly lead to a sugar crash. Pairing them with a dry wine, rather than a Moscato, will do you a world of good.

DJ3D’s review: Initially, Trio’s décor and offering of a private dining area said, ‘your wallet is going to be empty by the end of the night’, but I thought to myself, to wine and dine someone you love, this has to be worth it. Then I remembered I was the one being taken on a date. So, it was worth it. Trio can make anyone fall in love with the concept to ‘wine and dine’ again. It didn’t matter where we were seated, it was all about the food – the portions were good, the seafoods were cooked to perfection, in fact the lobster I had was very tender and flavourful, and the pasta had a balance between the creamy sauce, savoury seasonings and seafood flavour. Out of the two desserts, I preferred the cheesecake.