- November 15, 2025
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Anthony Logan, one of the owners of the newest restaurant to join those on St. Armands Key, describes Trinidadian cuisine as one of the broadest melting pots in the world. Foods originating from India, China, Spain, France, Africa, neighboring Caribbean countries and beyond have all risen to popularity. Now, he and his family are celebrating that tradition of sharing food by bringing it to Florida.
"People from all over bring a beautiful blend to the fabric of the island," Logan said. "When we all contribute something, it overlaps wonderfully."
He and his son, manager Kevin Ramlochan, spent last Saturday adjusting the festive lights outside Flambo Island Cuisine that beckon passersby inside. They recently opened the restaurant quietly, inviting diners to test out the new menu.
The inaugural fall menu includes items like lemongrass lagoon soup, pepper shrimp in a sweet, garlicky tomato sauce, curry mussels and drunken Trini noodles. Patrons can also try the complimentary snack pholourie, a fluffy fried dough served with tamarind sauce that is popular in Trinidad and Tobago.
Logan was born in Trinidad and Tobago, and he moved to the northeast to raise his family, living primarily in Pennsylvania. They moved to Florida after welcoming his now 6-month-old granddaughter to the family.
"Family is the driving force of everything we do," he said.
That focus carries through the restaurant, where the decor includes prints from Kevin's wedding, carnival celebrations and iconic sites from Trinidad. Other wall hangings include topographical maps from some favorite sailing destinations for members of the Bird Key Yacht Club. Logan said the community and the city of Sarasota have been helpful in getting the restaurant off the ground.
While they have run food trucks and undertaken other businesses, the owners said this is the first permanent brick-and-mortar place they've launched.
When it came time to decide on a location, Logan said they wanted a place where they could bring something fresh to the scene, while also enjoying the proximity to the beach. The corner of the Boulevard of the Presidents heading toward Lido Beach was perfect. Previous tenants include Vernona Gourmet.
He said the name, Flambo, stems from the lamp families reach for during power outages. The term comes from the French language.
"It's a unique item every household in the Caribbean has for when the storms blow the power," he said. "Now, we have a Flambo here to shine the light."
Patrons shouldn't take the fiery logo as a sign that the dishes are too spicy, Ramlochan said. He said menu items are flavorful but don't have too much heat for the average palate.
Because Trinidadian food includes such a wide variety, Ramlochan said residents and tourists alike will always find something new to try, especially as they start to expand the menu. Even though the restaurant had only been open for about a week, Ramlochan said they've already had repeat customers.
Once the restaurant gets established, Logan said he looks forward to hosting a variety of events to reinvigorate the street, which was hit particularly hard by last year's hurricanes and a subsequent fire affecting multiple businesses.
Logan and Ramlochan said they're planning to host a grand opening the first week of November with a flamenco dancer, costumes and plenty of other fun.
