Updated: Boozy, Hip Hop Brunch at Trina's Starlite Lounge, Somerville, MA

Photo Credit: Facebook

Can you believe I have been in Boston for 5 years and never made my way to Trina's Starlite Lounge?  As much as I love Joshua Childs and his humble, generous spirit, I generally see him most downtown, at his other venture, Silvertone Bar & Grill or at events! 

 My Cambridge-dwelling friends tease me and even introduce me as the girl that requires a passport to cross "The River"....meaning in the past 4+ years, it has had to be a pretty special event for me to head to Cambridge and/or Somerville!

So I Uber to Trina's because, of course, I have no idea where the heck I am going and I avoid "The T" like the plague most days.  We arrive to the low-key spot at 3 Beacon Street.  Colorful people are hanging out front, pulling on cigarettes and socializing.  I am intrigued.  It's pretty quiet curbside, or maybe I am just a bit sedate and taking in my surroundings (yes, Somerville is just a couple of towns over...I didn't leave the country), but once I step through the door, I can't help but fight the urge to DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT!  No, seriously,  I walk in to Snoop (Dogg/Lion or whatevs) bumping in my ears- ok, maybe I should Crip walk vs. dropping it - but at any rate, this is so REAL!  

The clientele is a cool mixture of "I am too cool to brush my hair" to "I am still wasted from the night before and keeping the party going" to "I came out to flirt" to "no boys please, it's a girls' brunch!" 

Trina's is one of the few places that I fell in love with at first sight...sound...vibe...taste!

My manicure matched the sunny side up eggs!  Good eye Nick!   Photo credit:  Nick Wilson of TreasureMA

Back to Snoop...Trina's serves Gin + Juice, but not with your run-of-the-mill OJ, NO!  Gin + Tang is more like it!  That rocks!  Who cares if you're a cocktail snob!   You can't deny its intrigue! There's also a Kool-Aid du jour!

Gin and Tang!

The food...

Chef Suzi Maitland runs a beautiful program!  I first met her on her birthday at Chefs in Shorts 2012 (click link to read) and really enjoyed her ginger pork with mango sauce dish!

Chicken and waffles MUST present something special to stand out.  Trina's hot chili pepper syrup was a stand out along with the crunchy, succulent fried chicken over a light, fluffy waffle.

Chicken & Waffles with hot chili pepper syrup.

Hot chili pepper syrup

I'd say this guy, our table neighbor, is really into syrup!

They were sweet enough to share a corn fritter with me and it was awesome!  Crisp spheres filled with sweet, creamy corn is not only perfect for the season but simply delicious.

Photo credit:  Nick Wilson of TreasureMA

Corn fritters

I was taken back to my college/vet med school days in Southeastern, AL with Trina's biscuits and breakfast gravy - a generous portion of flaky biscuits smothered in rich gravy with black pepper.

Another brilliant ode to southern USA was the creamy, stick-to-ya-ribs grits topped with spiced, plump shrimp and bright, fresh greens.
 

Shrimp & Grits

Nick orderer what I call "The Drinker's Drink" - a beer (in this case "The Champagne of Beers", Miller High Life with a shot of Fernet Branca).

 

The spherical hashbrowns were delicious!  Crisp and flaky on the outside, tender and moist inside.

Privateer Rum Daiquiris.  The ONLY way to have a daiquiri.

What a great day spending time and catching up with new and old friends!  Trina's in THE spot to head to for Brunch for sure. I can't wait to check out dinner!  Thanks to Joshua Childs, Emma Hollander and all of Trina's Starlite Lounge for the best hospitality that side of The River!