Page 474 - The British Big Four

co ee shops and even many sit-down
restaurants. And, the City of Hamilton’s
supermarkets all have salad bars that
cater to the busy workers who help keep
Bermuda thriving.
Among supermarkets, Miles to Go draws
on the estimable reputation of its parent,
Miles Market at The Waterfront, to make
take-out a treat for discerning palates. In
fact, if you intend to return for one of their The numerous nationalities now residing
delectable sweets or gourmet co ees,
you can eat your take-out at one of the
outdoor tables.
Lemon Tree Café, conveniently located
on Queen Street a few steps up from
Front Street, has substantive, made-to-
order sandwiches and has won Best-of-
Bermuda in the Deli Take Out category.
You can take your food to the outside
patio or go a few more steps into lush
Queen Elizabeth Park.
At lunchtime, strategically located mobile
wagons have been providing stand-up
service for years—long before the current
fad for truck food. The oldest is DeGra ’s
Lunch Counter at the North Corner of
City Hall parking lot. If you happen to
note the 1939 date on the ‘wagon’, Mr.
DeGra might tell you that he inherited
the business from his father, who, before
cars, operated it from a horse-and-buggy.
Order a fishcake-on-a-bun—a house
specialty—and Mr. DeGra might also tell
you about the changing taste in toppings
for this Bermudian favourite.
At the South Corner of City Hall parking
lot, at the Little Mexico wagon, the
Mexican-born wife of a Bermudian o ers
meat, fish or vegetarian burritos, flautas,
tacos and more with the authentic style
of her culture. In Queen Elizabeth Park,
Winky Dinky Hot Dog specialises in this
favourite staple and knocks it out of
the park.
All of the above operate during normal Indian food—an especially popular
business hours but down by the ferry choice with expat Britons—can be found
dock Smokin’ Barrel, which specializes at Indigo in Flatts Village and in North
in saucy grilled meats, also re-opens for Hamilton at House of India where a variety
evening convenience…on weekdays until of vegetarian options are available. Middle
10:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturday Eastern food and exotic ambience flavour
until 1:00 a.m. Front Street’s Café Cairo, which serves
Moroccan tagines, kebabs and other
INTERNATONAL CUISINE exotic favourites until the wee hours of
the morning.
in Bermuda have led to an exciting—and FAMILY FRIENDLY
very welcome—diversity in Bermudian AND FAMILY FARE
restaurants and even in Bermudian
supermarkets. Portuguese influence is so Children are welcome everywhere and
ingrained that it can’t truly be classified as many restaurants in Bermuda will make
international. Few Bermudian kitchens are every e ort to cater to their palates. Even
without a version of Portuguese red bean so, Bermudian children—who, of course,
soup spiked with spicy chorizo. However, are always well behaved—have their
Café Acoreano, opposite the bus terminal, favourites. On the weekends especially,
honors the heritage with traditional children of all ages gather for pizza at
breads, cakes and that ethereal donut, La Trattoria Restaurant and Pizzeria in
the malassada. Washington Lane or at Portofino’s on
Bermudiana Road. No doubt recently
Italian restaurants in all price ranges opened Azu Beastro at the Bermuda
are threaded throughout the Island Aquarium, Museum & Zoo in Flatts Village
and feature the food of various Italian is destined to be added to the list of
regions, from north to south. Sul Verde family favourites.
at Rosewood Tucker’s Point is the
newest addition to the family of Italian For reasonable prices and the everyday
restaurants. Appropriately enough, given choices that children love, try The
its location in the golf clubhouse, Sul Paraquet near Elbow Beach in Paget
Verde is an osteria starring rustic Italian or Speciality Inn on South Road in
fare—including an antipasti bu et—that Smith’s Parish.
will please the whole family.
SUNDAY BRUNCH
Sushi is currently the rage in Bermuda
and can be found in the gamut of eating The numerous establishments o ering
establishments from the upscale to the Sunday brunch confirm Bermudians’ love
modest—and, in fact, even at Hamilton’s of this leisurely feast at which diners make
Marketplace Supermarket! Extensive sushi their own selections from a tempting
selections are available amidst elegant bu et or order from a specially designed
décor and surroundings at Blû Bar and brunch menu. Prices vary so it’s best to
Grill at Belmont Hills, the Harbourfront check ahead. Visitors wishing to share
Restaurant and L’Oriental above Little the brunch experience should be aware
Venice on Bermudiana Road, Hamilton. that on special occasions—Mother’s Day,
In addition to sushi, the latter restaurant Father’s Day and holidays—tables sell
serves Chinese food, including dimsum. quickly and should be booked in advance.
In the City of Hamilton, Bouchee on Pitt’s
Classic French cuisine in a classy Bay Road, near the Hamilton Fairmont
Bermudian setting is the star at Beau Princess, o ers a reasonably priced
Rivage at Newstead Belmont Hills. breakfast every day and brunch—from a
select menu—all weekend. The Fairmont
GOTOBERMUDA.COM
Princess o ers a substantial brunch
at its Harley’s restaurant. Fairmont
Southampton’s Windows on the Sound
also serves brunch on Sunday.
West of the City of Hamilton, Fourways Inn
and Henry VIII have long been known for
their sumptuous bu et brunches. Among
the eastern parishes, Grotto Bay Beach
Resort and Landfall Restaurant draw the
crowds. The latter restaurant serves local
favourites and impressive views of the
North Shore marine scene.
For brunch with a twist, try the Jazz
Brunch at Bermuda’s pronouncedly
French restaurant, Beau Rivage at
Newstead Belmont Hills.
AFTERNOON TEA
After all, we are a British colony! Have
a sweet—and savoury—time at either of
the Fairmont hotels. Full afternoon teas
are served in the Fairmont’s Heritage
Court in Hamilton and Jasmine Lounge in
Southampton.
Fittingly, at the Royal Naval Dockyard in
the Island’s western end, The Dockyard
Pastry Shop o ers an authentic English
tea complete with scones and clotted
cream. In St. George’s, the eastern end’s
World Heritage site, Sweet P’s full tea is an food by 10:00 p.m. or 11 :00 p.m. However, but you can certainly hear and see them
elegant a air o ered in the garden of the
Bermuda Perfumery, a listed eighteenth
century house. Call to reserve.
AFTER WORK
AND AFTER HOURS
Come five o’clock on Friday afternoon
the workweek finishes and weekend
socialising begins. Many restaurants,
pubs and bars celebrate with specifically
designated Happy Hours. The following is
but a sample of the establishments that
attract a faithful clientele which shows up
after work in search of friends, light fare
and a sip or two.
The Lemon Tree Café, a casual locale
known for its sandwiches during the
29 30 1.800.BERMUDA
workday, has a DJ and dancing at its
popular happy hour, which actually lasts
until midnight.
The harbour-side terrace of Fairmont’s
Hamilton Princess hotel, an early venue
for a social trend that has exploded,
continues to be a popular happy hour
spot. Nearby, at the terrace and cocktail
lounge of Harry’s Bar and Restaurant,
Martini Madness and a bar food menu
is on o er from 5:00 p.m to 10:00
p.m. Meanwhile, Port O’ Call on Front
Street beckons a corporate crowd to its
happy hour.
On the opposite side of Hamilton Harbour,
Beau Rivage at Newstead Belmont Hills
o ers happy hour and great views of a lit- Southampton can boast that it is the only
up the City of Hamilton from its terrace.
For convenience and safety, it also o ers
a water shuttle from Hamilton on the half
hour between 5 :00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
At the Harbourfront a reasonably priced
sushi happy hour is o ered Monday
through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00
p.m. Sushi is also the theme of happy
hour at Blû Bar and Grill where sparkling
nighttime views of the Great Sound
are free.
Most restaurants in Bermuda stop serving
there are a few good options conveniently
located along Front Street On Fridays
and Saturdays, mobile Smokin’ Barrel
is open until 1:00 a.m. The always lively
Bermuda Bistro at the Beach—actually
Front Street—is open seven days a week
and serves drinks until 3:00 a.m. and food our restaurants, please visit
until midnight. Café Cairo, which attracts GoToBermuda.com/
a young crowd, is open and serving food
until 3:00 a.m. every day but Sunday.
AMBIENCE
Bermudians feel fortunate to have a
beautiful built and natural environment
surrounding them on a daily basis,
and year round. However, numerous
restaurants—some already cited—go the
extra mile to put ambience on the menu
alongside fine food. A few eating places
also o er unique environments and are
also worth exploring.
At the beach, there’s Mickey’s Beach Bar
& Bistro situated right on fabulous Elbow
Beach and The Reef’s Coconuts where
food and drink are served almost literally
on the rocks.
At the eastern end of the Island,
Blackbeard’s Hide Out overlooks Achilles
Bay and is next to Gates Bay, where
the Island’s first visitors arrived o the
shipwrecked Sea Venture—not quite a
cruise ship. Near the Island’s western end,
The Dining Room at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse,
restaurant in proximity to sweeping,
panoramic views of the entire island.
There are a couple of other eating
places that also o er ambience that
is quite unique. For a quick bite while
you contemplate both art and nature,
consider Homer’s Café at Masterworks in
the Botanical Gardens. The café is named
after famed American artist Winslow
Homer who visited Bermuda in 1899 and
is represented in the gallery’s collection.
At Azu Beastro in the Bermuda Aquarium,
Museum & Zoo you can’t feed the animals
as you take a break between exhibits.
So, enjoy your visit to Bermuda and
Bon Appetit!
For an up-to-date listing of
what-to-do/dining-explorer/