THE traffic is surprisingly light this Thursday evening as we head towards Liguanea and turn into the Orchid Village Plaza trying to find parking as close as possible to The Guilt Trip. This is where a few close friends plan to gather and celebrate with Carlton Brown and his wife, Nicole. The Browns celebrated six years of married bliss on Saturday, August 26 and Carlton is today (Sunday) another year wiser.

Chef/patron Colin Hylton has prepared a semi-private area for us on the other side of the bridge. This affords us both the soothing sounds of constantly flowing water, as well as the well-chosen background music that moves from contemporary Latin fusion to silky jazz.

The table is beautifully styled with two short vases of roses in seductive summer shades of lavender, yellow and Hollywood (think deep tangerine), napkins in a variety of colours and lit candles under hurricane lamps add additional intimacy.

Our menu, created by Hylton, comprises Mangotinis on arrival, Mumm brut with dinner and a starter of smoked marlin on a spicy corn fritter with papaya and lime.

Hylton’s Guilt Trip is filling up slowly with additional diners as well as those in need of a sweet treat to take home. The Guilt Trip Restaurant is also a patisserie and home to some of the country’s most decadent sweet plates. The prominent, well-lit dessert ‘trolley’ attracts many patrons throughout the evening. Back at our table, the ice-cold, sweet mangotinis hit the right spot as does the distinct flavour of smoked marlin juxtaposed against the spicy corn fritter and the dull sweetness of papaya and lime.

Our entrée, served in Frank Gehryesque architectural bowls, comes filled with Thai green curried pumpkin and chickpeas with lime avocado salsa and scallion pearls. The dish becomes an integral part of the discussion and finds favour with all.

The birthday cake solution is easily resolved – why not enjoy several slices of Guilt Trip sweet plates, we surmise? Naturally, the candle will be placed on man of the moment Carlton Brown’s sweet treat. More Mumm is poured; the slightly crisp dryness is an excellent dessert choice too.

And so, in between mouthfuls of white chocolate mousse rum and raisin gateau, strawberry gateau complete with ladyfingers, almond Genovese and fresh strawberries and Contradiction – chocolate fudge with cheesecake and cherries – we listen to more fashion possibilities and encourage the push.

Michelle Simone Clarke (SIIM) who looks stylishly chic in a Carlton Brown candy-stripe shirt speaks to a few pending fashion innovations, while Brown is focused on the Caribbean. The combination of dinner and fashion has come together quite nicely and with Olympus Fashion Week just around the corner, there’ll be many more intimate dinners. The next dress code is still in debate mode.

The Guilt Trip Restaurant & Patisserie

20 Barbican Rd

Kingston 6

Tele# 977-5130

Reservations are required for private lunches and/or dinner parties as well as cakes for special occasions.