Does Wyndham Street really need another new bar? Judging by the crowds spilling onto the sidewalk every weekend, the answer is yes. Supposedly boasting a Caribbean influence on the food and drinks menu, Paradis appears a challenger to that other Caribbean stronghold down the road, Rummin’ Tings.
Elegantly designed with beige seating and low lighting provided by de rigueur exposed filament light bulbs, the bar dominates the entrance to the restaurant and the cocktail lounge. With ample seating taking up a large part of the dining room, it’s expected you might skip dinner and come just for some liquids.
A glance at the bar snacks menu reveals a whole lot of seafood is on offer, though West Indian staples such as plantains or goat stew are conspicuous by their absence. With offerings such as Hongker Milk Punch, key lime mojito and Dom Tom’s negroni, the cocktails prove no more thematic. But keeping the tropical in mind, we select the Falernum sling ($95), a blend of ????ubrówka vodka, pear, yuzu and ginger ale. We enjoy the mild cocktail, its fruity notes rounded off with hints of nuts and vanilla. It’s a mild, pleasant start, but craving something stronger, we opt for a signature Ti Punch ($95). It turns out to be the polar opposite of our first drink. Instead of something with a little bite, this is a tipple with full scale fangs. Made with undiluted Bielle rum and only a touch of lime juice and kaffir lime syrup, this goes down tight. Given its name it’s obvious we’re supposed to be reeling, however either more sugar, lime or ice is needed to cut the drink and allow the flavours to blossom.
The ambience is rather classy at Paradis, and though the drinks selection isn’t ground-breaking it’s certainly reasonably priced for the location. The Caribbean theme feels like an afterthought, but with its spacious surrounds we feel we’d return just for a pleasant night out on Wyndham. Anyone seeking more authentic flavors of Trinidad or Jamaica ought to try further down the road.
Lisa Cam