The Bajan Bites

Last night, my partner surprised me with a dinner date, and trust me when I say I was completely caught off guard. I had been having a rough day juggling work and all of my professional responsibilities, so when he suddenly said, “Get dressed, we’re going out for dinner,” you can imagine the speed at which I got ready and jumped into the car.

To my surprise, he had made reservations at Tabu Restaurant in St. Lawrence Gap. We had talked about going there for quite some time, but finally experiencing it for ourselves felt special.

From the moment we arrived, the experience felt elevated. The door was opened for us, and we were greeted by a warm and pleasant hostess who escorted us to our table. As we walked inside, I immediately noticed the aesthetic. One of the standout features was a charming telephone box that had been creatively transformed into a display for wines. The space was softly ambiently lit, creating a beautiful and intimate atmosphere. It felt elegant yet welcoming the kind of place where you instantly feel like you’ve stepped into a five-star dining experience.

Starters

When it was time to order our starters, I chose the Cesare con Prosciutto but without the prosciutto since I’m pescatarian and it was absolutely delicious.

My boyfriend ordered the Spiced Parmesan Chicken, and the presentation alone was impressive. The dish featured chicken medallions marinated with cayenne, coated in panko, and fried to perfection, then finished with a delicious honey mustard vinaigrette. It looked as good as it tasted.

After our appetizers, our waiter Shaniqua, who was incredibly pleasant and welcoming throughout the evening, brought out a palate cleanser a refreshing lemon sorbet. Since I’m allergic to citrus, my partner enjoyed that one on his own, but judging from the smile on his face with every spoonful, I could tell it was absolutely delightful.

Main Course

For the mains, I had the Catch of the Day, which was a beautifully pan-seared mahi mahi served with fresh vegetables. Because of my citrus allergy, the kitchen thoughtfully replaced the passion fruit vinaigrette with a mushroom bordelaise, and let me tell you that substitution was absolutely perfect. The sauce was rich and flavourful and paired wonderfully with the fish.

My boyfriend ordered the Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin, which came with peppered zucchini and a sweet potato mash. Now listen… I tasted that mash, and immediately wished it was sold separately. It was that good creamy, well-seasoned, and easily one of the standout elements of the meal.

The Drinks

The drink menu was also quite extensive, offering everything from tequila-based cocktails to wines. However, two drinks in particular caught my boyfriend’s curiosity: The Centipede Bite and The Golden Hour.

In the end, he settled on the Golden Hour, which he thoroughly enjoyed. But I must admit, part of me wished he had ordered the Centipede Bite just so I could see the presentation.

Although… now that I think about it, maybe that was for the best. I should probably mention that I am actually afraid of centipedes so perhaps admiring it safely from the menu was enough for me!

The Experience

Overall, the service, the experience, and the atmosphere were exceptional. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, everything felt intentional, warm, and welcoming. It was the perfect way to end what started as a stressful day.

My Review

Aesthetic: 10/10
Customer Service: 10/10
Food: 5/5

Tabu Restaurant delivered an experience that was elegant, intimate, and memorable. If you are looking for a beautiful dining experience in St. Lawrence Gap, this is definitely a place worth visiting.

And honestly, I’m already looking forward to the next surprise dinner date.