While politicians debate the pros and cons of joining Caricom, Trinidadian Marilyn Eve and Bermudian husband Wendell and brother Leon Eve have already brought the best of the Caribbean to Bermuda and yesterday opened the Mango Leaf Trini Cafe on Joell's Alley off Church Street in Hamilton.

Offering West Indian, and specialising in Trinidadian dishes, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, offering a choice of dinning in or taking-out.

Speaking with The Royal Gazette yesterday, Mrs. Eve said her grandmother and mother used to cater for weddings and social functions in Trinidad and she has always wanted to follow in their footsteps and offer “true Trinidadian original roti.”

A Bermuda resident for some 30 years, Mrs. Eve works full time for Aon and has been a Caribbean and Chinese cooking instructor for evening education classes at Sandys Secondary School, Spice Valley School and Dellwood School for the last 20 years.

“I love to cook,” said Mrs. Eve yesterday at the restaurant's opening, where dozens of people were enjoying the delights of her passion. “Bermuda desperately needed something different,” she said.

Mango Leaf Trini Cafe will be offering speciality dishes such as traditionally roti, Callaloo, a dish of spinach, crab and okra, Pilau, a combination of rice, peas and chicken in coconut sauce and the house speciality, steamed fish with green beans, sweet potato and yams which Mrs. Eve said is “very healthy and very good.”

Trinidadian chef Francis Motieram brings his 20 years of experience cooking Trinidadian delicacies to Bermuda, and Mrs. Eve said: “If you ask for something special, he will accommodate you.”

The restaurant plans to apply for a liquor license and will also be looking to branch out and offer delivery and catering.