Tropical Cafe

We’re in Marlborough for a few days of r&r. Was going out for dinner but hubby wanted to stay in. We are Trini/New Yorkers. Hubby wanted the whole fish and rice, red beans and a salad. I did the pork ribs, rice and stuffed beans. Now because we are Trinis our food is very diverse because of the Spanish, French, Dutch, English and Syrian influences in the country. Not forgetting the Indian and Chinese. So Brazilian fare should be pretty similar to some of our fare in Trinidad. But I can’t imagine eating plain rice with whatever meat or fish you order and Absolutely no kind of gravy or sauce to put on the rice. So dry rice and dry meat or fish. I had to call them to let them know that they forgot something on our order (stuffed beans which they said is dry) and ask them to send another order of red beans so i can have it with my rice. The person who took my order said they don’t do any gravies Other than that hubby enjoyed his fried whole fish. I tasted the pork. Not bad a bit chewy. Waiting on the beans to finish dinner. Got the beans. It came quickly. A little less salt please. Not impressed.

Friendly staff. But the food ranged from okay to horrible. I'm usually the last to complain about food quality, but the fish was the worst fish I've ever had (no exaggeration). It was tough and rubbery and sort of spongey. I couldn't eat it. And at $19, it's an expensive meal to not eat. The steak was also bad. The rice, beans, salad, and fries were good but nothing to write home about. The shrimp was fantastic though!!!

The atmosphere and ambiance are solid. The outdoor seating is great, and the smoothies are excellent, but sadly that's where it ends. The in house food is bland, frankly very overcooked (have you ever had fish fry that bounced?), But it's hot, it's large in portion, and the food is authentic, if under spiced.