Restaurant Reviewed: Apsara, Port of Spain

Cuisine: Indian

Type of Restaurant: A la Carte

If you’re looking for an upscale Indian restaurant in Port of Spain that serves up divine food, look no further than Apsara. Located in Queen’s Park East, very close to the President’s residence, this restaurant has a brilliant atmosphere. Reserve your table 24 hours in advance (Tel no. (868) 623-7659), as the place is always full.

First I would like to tell you the bad news. Don’t expect fast service here. Go early and wait 45 minutes to an hour for your order. Once you’re mentally prepared to wait, you’ll find the food was worth it.

This is a good place for conversation, and you can spend your waiting time talking with your friends who are with you, or better yet, enjoying the atmosphere. The restaurant has a brilliant interior design with a lot of Mughal art depicted by a contemporary artist named Sarah Beckett.

Arriving at the kitchen, you can choose from an a la carte menu or opt for a fixed price buffet. I recommend going a la carte. This is the ideal place for you, if you like kebabs; try the Husseini Boti Kebabs to start.

As a main course you can try a Chicken Tikka Masala accompanied by Peshawari Naan, or Bharwan Aloo Paratha (Indian bread with a seasoned potato filling).

If you are in the mood to experiment, I would recommend Murgh Nazakat, in between chicken dishes, or if you prefer seafood, try the delicious Apsara Machi, or the Masala Shrimp. They can also make a bad Paneer Tikka, if cottage cheese is your signature.

I can go on and on about the food, but I’ve listed all my personal favourites, and there are plenty of options, if you want vegetarian food too.

Indulge in food by all means, but leave room in your stomach for dessert, in the form of Gulab Jamun, Ras Malai, or Kulfi.

And when you get the bill, you’ll be pleasantly surprised: it won’t cost you more than $60 Trinidad (one hundred Trinidad dollars equals seven US dollars) per person, and that includes drinks and service.

RESTAURANT CLASSIFICATIONS:

Service [rating:2/5]

Atmosphere [rating:4/5]

Food quality [rating:5/5]

Hygiene [rating:4/5]

Rent [rating:4/5]

Overall rating: 4/5

Best Dish: Chicken Tikka Masala

Tip: if you prefer a particular wine, tell them when you book your table, so they don’t run out while you eat!