LeVeLs UltraBar and Lounge

A dining experience is altered when you are invited to see a true Chef at work preparing your food. When skills displayed were honed over years and bare hands shape and form your meal, feeding the eyes before the mouth can taste. When knives work as an extension of the hand and raw is artfully combined with cooked in perfect balance, a meal is transposed to a pleasure.

Soft Shell Crab, Fresh Vegetables rolled in Rice

Usuzukuri - slices of Tuna with Ponzu Sauce

Yeah, I LOVE sushi. The pomp and circumstance of every roll, the performance art with the ability to satisfy and nourish and LeVeLs is may favorite place in Trinidad to get it.

Located at the western end of Ariapita Avenue in the capital of Port of Spain, this Ultrabar as they call themselves caters for a wide range of clients on four (4) levels, hence the name.

Beautiful Sushi Sandwich with Tuna and Avocado

My longstanding favorite - Acevichado Roll

Why My Favorite for Sushi

With a number of popular places in our small Republic now offering sushi, why is this my place to go to? Three (3) reasons: 1. Consistently great quality (head sushi Chef José rocks!) 2. Meaningful variety (no identity crisis reflected in the menu) and 3. Great, friendly service.

The LeVeLs menu serves up amazing quintessential hot and cold sushi items and includes LeVeLs specialty rolls, Specialities of the Itamae (japanese chef) from their kitchen like Japanese fried chicken - Katsu and their Epicurean delights - Guava Bar-Be-Que Ribs and Crab Cake Sliders alongside creative cocktails like Wasabi Martinis. What more could you want? Maybe something in your choice of atmosphere; outdoor spaces and a deck share the pulse of the avenue (great 'máco' points to see and be seen), the ground floor housing the sushi and drink bars are lively and at times loud, if that's your style, and the first floor with it's large comfy couches and leather armchairs more suited to the intimate art of conversation. The top level is a large private room opulently outfitted for those who can afford its exclusivity.

Classic Harumaki (Riceless) Roll

Must Tries on the Menu

The Acevichado specialty roll, a Tuna based roll topped with a white sauce so delicious I could drink it out of a cup. Ceviche Nikkei; Shrimp, Scallops and Octopus in their LeVeLs Ceviche Salsa topped with Sweet Potato Tempura. The Crunchy Roulette is LeVeLs' spin on pizza with Salmon, Tuna, Tobiko and Acevichado Sauce. The Curfew Roll with Octopus, Mushroom in Garlic Butter is fully cooked and flavorful. Try them all.

LeVeLs Specialty Crunchy Roulette -
a new spin on Pizza

Steak topped sushi

Visit LeVeLs any day of the week except Mondays and make new friends. 

LeVeLs is located at 1 Taylor Street and Corner of Ariapita Avenue Port of Spain and check out their Facebook page for details of their menu and specials.

For more pictures of the great food we've tried and highly recommend, visit the Belly in Hand facebook page and BellyinHand Foodspotting link.

Lucha Libre San Diego, California

Though one can connect the South/Central American and Spanish influence in Trinidad & Tobago cuisine, the distinct tastes of Mexico are not common here and during my recent trip to San Diego, California, I wanted to learn more first hand about Mexican food. The plan was to cross the boarder into Mexico, but with recent escalating incidents of violence, I thought it best to not give my parents a heart attack and stay States side. :-)

Outside the Famous Shop in Mission Hills,
 San Diego

Please Place Your Order!

With my brother (the world traveller) as my guide, we visited a Taco shop which I thought would be typical and reflective of the main trends in American/Mexican fare that are so very popular in California. What I had the privilege to experience was something more, more in keeping with my culinary quests - some of the best. 

Almost Every Bite is a Different Combination of
Delicious Fillings

A Gourmet Burrito (Flour Tortilla that looks like a Roti)

Lucha Libre Taco Shop is anything but typical, first they are categorized as a ‘Gourmet’ Taco Shop and their combination of great food with the imagery of Lucha Libre - the colorful and entertaining Spanish/Mexican version of American wrestling puts this place on the map. They are famous! 

Committed to the Theme -
the Lucha Libre Decor

First giveaway, the line to order that on any given day is out the door. Next, the accolades which line the walls and are impressive given this place opened its doors in 2008. They have been mentioned and featured in many magazines, newspapers and guides and in June of this year Adam Richmen visited and shared with the many fans of Man v. Food why this place is the best. 

It May Look Messy - Messy Delicious;
Inside Peek at the Surfin' California

Fillings of the Surf & Turf Burrito (with Rice) 

The menu is short, in my experience I have found that to be a positive; they do a few things really well, perfecting it, not a laundry list of anything anyone may ask for. Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas and five specialty items. Check out their menu for yourself http://www.tacosmackdown.com/menu.htm and see even by description how amazingly complexed, layered, colorful and delicious the components and items are.

Salsa and Corn Tortillas
I Could Just Drink the Green One (container to head) :-)

Deep rich sauces like Mole (pronounced Mo-lay); dark reddish brown with chilies and chocolate served over meat, Serrano sauces with immense flavor for the shrimp and chicken, Pico de Gallo (Salsa Fresca) on everything and Adobaba (oh Adobada!) Pork marinated in red chili sauce with vinegar and oregano (to name but two of the herbs expertly used). 

In Keeping with the Scheme of the Decor,
the Champions Booth is Understated and Tame

Everything here is good, but I would advise a gourmet Burrito be tried at least once in a lifetime. The Surfin’ California is awesome in both size and flavor with a secret Chipotle Sauce, this wrap is chocked full of grilled Steak, Shrimp, Avocado, Cheese and Fries (yes, French Fries). The Surf & Turf Burrito is similar but includes rice bursting with authentic Mexican spices. 

Great Artwork Everywhere Especially in the Bathrooms

The themed decor is truly original with Lucha Libre masks all around, the seats of chairs, the walls and in the art adorning even the restrooms. 

Hey, You Have to Keep it Authentic with a Mexican Soda

So if ever you are in San Diego, look this place up for some great food, lasting memories and the chance to say you had one of the best Burritos ever!

Visit my Facebook page for more pictures and Lucha Libre details: http://www.facebook.com/BellyinHand