The impressive gate rolls away to reveal a cosy enclave, where the reggae is easy, laughter is rich and the food is reminiscent of mum’s home cooking.

It’s M-10, a new eatery and car wash concept at 6 Vineyard Road pioneered by Marvin Tenn, son of HomeStyles boss Claudette Tenn, who expertly mans the kitchen.

“We have the best food in town,” declares Tenn, who boasts that it is the main attraction and the reason perhaps for such a Monday evening buzz that would leave many better-appointed locations jealous.

M-10 Bar & Grill, a play on the owner’s last name and first initial, features wooden barrels hollowed to create seating, matching tables and al fresco dining. Of note, too, is the bar built around the trunk of a mango tree, where alcoholic beverages are elegantly displayed.

Open for six months now, the place, Tenn shares, is a success story in the making… at least

if the strong network of friends who patronise M-10 is anything to go by.

On any given evening it’s not unusual to spot young professionals, university students and truckers lyming, laughing and having a fab time.

In fact, with the Tenns’ penchant for entertaining (interpret that to mean always affable people who love nothing more than to share comfort food with their loved ones), M-10 is a natural fit for the family.

“The trucking business got very competitive,” Tenn tells Thursday Food, “I have the space so I decided to capitalise on it.”

Don’t look, though, for bells and whistles or even striking signage, as the young entrepreneur

shares that the low-key entrance is by design.

It’s the kind of place that has a familiar atmosphere, where lounging and ‘knocking a couple back’ are strongly encouraged.

“People will be here having drinks, and we just give them a complimentary serving of Stamp ‘n’ Go… it’s just that kind of place,” Tenn says. He says, too, that the popular Jamaican fried snack is among its most in-demand offerings.

He pauses to acknowledge a ‘bredrin’ who is passing through for post-work drinks before continuing to talk of the menu.

“Basically, our clients requested a variety of things, we mixed our offerings to include a little

bit of everything,” Tenn tells Thursday Food.

He decided to theme the evenings, the most prominent being Jamaican Cuisine Night, which happens on a Saturday and features dominoes, card games and entertainment; and Fish Sundays, during which guests may sample various styles of fish.

“You have to give your clients a reason to pass up on the competition in the Corporate Area and come here,” Tenn announces. And a good reason is certainly his mother’s sinfully seasoned oxtail that slides right off the bone, curried or brown-stewed conch — a hit with male patrons — or any other savoury delights.

“We’re planning to extend our offerings to include lunch come late February, early March.”

And with this ever-expanding business, complete with great food and exceptional service, the M-10 gate might just be rolling back a lot more in the coming months.