The concept of brunch has taken the world by storm, and Trinidad and Tobago is no exception. The portmanteau of “breakfast” and “lunch” instantly brings to mind images of well-dressed patrons, great food, and even better vibes. One venue has managed to provide just that and more, all whilst consistently delivering a brunch experience like no other.
Located on Ariapita Avenue in Port of Spain, Sumn’ Nice launched its latest event series, Sunday Brunch, on February 6. Split into two designated times, would-be guests had the option of attending the 10 AM to 1 PM or 1 PM to 4 PM affair. Once inside, patrons were greeted with an all-you-can-eat buffet consisting of local and international breakfast items. Whether you were in the mood for saltfish buljol and sada bake or croissants and omelets, there was something for everyone. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, Sumn’ Nice topped it all off with a fruit and dessert bar. However, no brunch worth its salt would be complete without bottomless mimosas. Bearing that in mind, the friendly staff made sure to keep the drinks flowing by offering the staple cocktail along with sorrel and fresh juices. Guests got to enjoy the lively atmosphere, mingle, dance, and even play board games.
It’s hard to imagine such an event could occur whilst COVID-19 restrictions were still in place in Trinidad and Tobago. Despite this, Sumn’s Nice proved that while it may have been difficult, it was not impossible. When asked how the brunch came to be, owner Jevon Jeffrey said, “It was a matter of being creative to generate more income for survival whilst having restrictions. The hardest part for me was making sure everything stayed within all the restrictions.”
After such a successful launch, it was no surprise the brunch came back just in time for Trinidad and Tobago’s carnival season. Taking place on February 27, it now included musical guests Preedy and Iwer George. Despite the humidity, this edition boasted an even larger crowd, no doubt brought on by the inclusion of the Soca stars. From 1 PM to 6 PM, patrons once again got to indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet coupled with the addition of an in-house doubles vendor. Just like last time, there was no shortage of cocktails to enjoy. Guests had the chance to sample a variety of alcohol-infused fruits, ranging from Hennessy pineapples to vodka melon balls. Preedy arrived not too long into the festivities and got everyone on their feet by performing hits such as ‘Say Yeah’ and ‘Free Again’. Just as the humidity had begun to reach its peak, the water lord, Iwer George, arrived to cool things down with an electrifying performance.
The next two Sunday brunches heavily followed themes. On March 27, the retro-themed event brought back the golden years of dub, soca, and dancehall. The most recent was a Jamrock brunch hosted on May 29. Keeping in line with the theme, the menu included Jamaican staples such as rice and peas, escovitch fish, and jerk chicken. The event also featured performances by reggae artists Isasha and Jah Melody.
When asked about the future of the event series, Jeffrey says, “With the reopening of everything, I felt as though the demand for brunch would drop, but people have been asking me a lot about it, so I’m definitely going to do another.” As the establishment is celebrating its third anniversary this month, Jeffrey assured us that the next iteration of the iconic Sunday Brunch would be one to remember.
