Arazzi Restaurant recently celebrated its third anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its journey of delivering a mixture of an elegant dining experience and comfort.
The celebration was highlighted by great music that made guests put on their dancing shoes, a performance by soca artiste Iwer George, champagne and other alcoholic beverages, and lavish spreads of cheeses, seafood, meats and desserts reflecting the restaurant's commitment to culinary excellence.
Usual fare included pizzas, pasta, sushi, seafood dishes, meat and vegetarian selections, as well as fresh bread, pastries, sandwiches, coffee and tea.
Co-owner Colin Mahabir said his dream was to open an artisanal bakery and he wanted to create a space he could personally enjoy.
[caption id="attachment_1152397" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Co-owners Colin Mahabir, left, and Riaz Bhagaloo pose for a picture at the Arazzi Restaurant. - Photo courtesy Arazzi[/caption]
“I always felt Trinidad was lacking something unique in terms of a bit more upscale entertainment.”
He spent two years looking for a location and finally found a space on Maraval Road, Newtown, but it was big so he decided to add a restaurant.
Initially, the menu was supposed to be soup, salad and pasta, but he and co-owner Riaz Bhagaloo decided to give it a fine-dining twist that was still a bit casual.
“We did the restaurant and I added the lounge and patio so it evolved into a huge project.”
After some delays due to the covid19 pandemic, Arazzi opened on March 15, 2022, when restrictions were lifted.
When it opened the menu was very French with simple flavours but, after feedback from customers, it was adapted. He said they were always looking to improve service and cuisine so the restaurant’s concept kept evolving.
[caption id="attachment_1152400" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Molecular Caviar Bar at Arazzi's anniversary celebration. - Photo courtesy Rajiv Samaroo[/caption]
“We try to make the cuisine elevated but, in its latest incarnation, really it is familiar to a Trini palette.
“You have to tailor an experience for as wide a customer base as you can while still maintaining quality. So we import a lot of premium items, but we cannot serve strictly premium items in Trinidad and Tobago because our economy and the spending power of the average Trinidadian is something we try to be aware of all the time. You can’t make for one market only.”
Therefore, Arazzi also offers affordable items, especially in the bakery. So much so that a basic loaf of bread could be bought for $10.
Mahabir recalled speaking to one associate who said she loved the photos of the restaurant but she could not afford to eat there. She told him she waited for the bread van to pass by her home rather than buy bread at the supermarket as a loaf from the van was $10 compared to $18 at the grocery.
And so he decided to sell bread for $10.
The restaurant also tried to keep pastas and pizzas affordable with a two-for-one special running year-round from Monday-Thursday.
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