whitewashed on the avenue
Trinidad, not Tobago, may never have cracked the top ten as one of the Caribbean’s top tourist destinations. But what no other island can take away or boast about is its unique position as the Caribbean’s number one place to hang out or what the Trinis affectionately call whitewash. 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 the length and breadth of Calypso Island, but it is carried to incredible heights over an extended strip of asphalt known as Avenida Ariapita. Commonly known as the 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. Giant unofficial street parties interspersed between two popular bars (Coco Lounge and Finlandia) dominate the weekend. This area of the street is flooded with numerous lime trees 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 chic bars and grog joints along the strip. Local and foreign celebrities have also been known to roam 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 artery 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 quaintly designed structures. Roadside food vendors offer hungry passers-by anything from American burgers, fries, and fried chicken to Trinidadian doubles (spicy balls of channa compressed between two pieces of golden fried dough), beef soup, soups of corn and Arab gyros (Doner Kebab). The ultimate meal consisting of vegetables, chicken, lamb, goat or beef gently wrapped in pita bread has recently lost its appearance of strange foreign novelty and has since become a coveted specialty; inspiring winding queues of customers eagerly anticipating a little bite of the Middle East. But if there’s one place in Trinidad where restaurants outnumber street vendors, it’s Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook. Some of the best chomp joints are found along this popular route, welcoming food connoisseurs who prefer elegant decor, comfortable furnishings, glass panels, and air conditioning over tropical breezes, sidewalks, walls, park benches, and unwanted car fumes. 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. Common food places serving grilled and fried meats along with pizzas, 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 tall 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 delicious delicacies of the buffet along with the tropical and exotic fruit juices of Trinidad cannot be left out as travelers from the four corners of the world arrive in search of the peculiar foods of the island.
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 y Tapas. French cuisine is served at Parisianesque a’ La Bastille, while Irie Bites Jerk puts Jamaican-style steak lovers at ease. 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 lines; excitement at almost every corner; exquisite restaurants; contagious music; a continually festive atmosphere; affable human beings of all shades, beliefs and languages in constant movement from one place to another; a well-kept park/square; and expensive cars driven by fun-hungry passers-by have kept Avenida Ariapita ahead of the rest 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 whitewashing 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.