Hamilton, Bermuda - Barracuda Grill

Last on my list of Bermuda must-eat restaurants is the Barracuda Grill. Located right off Front Street in downtown Hamilton, next to the famous Hog Penny pub, I have dined at this restaurant on three separate trips to Bermuda, and have never once been disappointed. 

The creativity of the menu, service, atmosphere, presentation and wonderful flavor combinations of the dishes make the Barracuda Grill one of my favorites on the island. Delicious from starters all the way to desserts ... 

Amuse bouche
Prosciutto relish toasts

Mangalista Pork Belly
Sous vide cooked 24 hours, 64in fried Wadson egg, romesco sauce, preserved lemon

Yellowfina Tuna Tartar
Cucumber wasabi gazpacho, mango caviar, sesame, avocado, teriyaki crisp

Pan Seared Fresh Snapper
Fresh artichoke ravioli, black garlic emulsion, fava beans, pickled fennel, fig relish

Grilled Bermuda Rockfish
Black bean glaze, gingered sweet potato, sticky rice, soy foam, baby bok choy, teriyaki sesame crisp

Mascarpone Cheesecake
Lemon infused, brown sugar brule, sugar cookie crust, espresso whipped cream

Chocolate Banana Bread Volcano
Melanie's banana bread pudding, warm liquid chocolate, Grand Marnier creme anglaise

Pin It

Bailey's Bay, Bermuda - Swizzle Inn

No trip to Bermuda is complete without a visit to the Swizzle Inn for the island's famous national drink, the Rum Swizzle cocktail. What's not to love about a place who's motto is Swizzle Inn, Swagger Out !? That's exactly what you will do after a few pitchers of this Goslings dark rum and fruit juice concoction. 

The Dark & Stormy: another Bermudian specialty of Goslings Black Rum and Ginger Beer

Rum Swizzle

I visited the original location, Bermuda's oldest pub, near the airport, though there is a second location at the other end of the island on the South Shore in Warwick. The menu has food for all tastes, from mile-high nachos to chicken wings, pizzas, quesadillas, burgers and other pub favorites.

How about mixing up a pitcher of Rum Swizzles for your next party? Here's the Swizzle Inn's top secret recipe:

It's Official
It's Super Secret
it's The
Swizzle Inn
Rum Swizzle Recipe
4oz Goslings Black Seal Rum
4oz Barbados Rum (or any amber rum)
2oz Triple Sec
Juice of 2 lemons
5oz Pineapple Juice
5oz Orange Juice
2oz Bermuda Falernum or simple sugar syrup
4 dashes of Angostura Bitters


Mix in a pitcher with cracked ice and shake vigorously until frothing head appears. 
Strain into cocktail glasses and let the fun begin!
Serves 6

Pin It

Pembroke, Bermuda - Ascots

Located within the Royal Palms Hotel, Ascots is an award winning restaurant serving Bermudian and international dishes in a charming setting that feels like you are stepping into someone's home, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens. The service is impeccable and I can't say enough about the friendliness of the well-trained staff. Nestled a few streets away from downtown Front Street in Hamilton, Ascots was one of our favorite meals during our week-long stay.

Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Centered with fresh European leaves drizzled with basil infused olive oil and balsamic syrup. 

Accompanied with a grilled rosemary bread

Sautéed Snails

Cooked with onions, button mushrooms, garlic and thyme; 

flamed with Pernod, finished with cream and served in a puff pastry case

Pepper Crusted Yellow Fin Tuna

Pan seared tuna steak rested on a salad of arugula, orange segment, avocado and spring onions. 

Edged with a chive lemon infused yogurt

Oven Baked North Atlantic Cod

Wrapped in Parma Ham, rested on a Savoy cabbage, onions and tomatoes fricassee. 

Speckled with a herb infused olive oil

Seasonal vegetables and potatoes

Chocolate molten cake with Rum Raisin ice cream and fruit coulis

Glenmorangie 12 year scotch and some sweets

Pin It

Southampton, Bermuda - Waterlot Inn

My favorite restaurant in Bermuda is the Waterlot Inn. Located on Jew's Bay and part of the Fairmont Southampton, the Waterlot has been serving succulent steaks with an impressive wine list (brought to you on an iPad) for over 350 years. Food is served a la carte, like most steakhouses, and the service is impeccable (I was even offered a shawl when I was feeling a bit chilly). Reservations are a must. Here's what we devoured:

YELLOWFIN TUNA CRUDO

avocado . fennel . orange . micro croutons

NIMAN RANCH BEEF TARTAR

fried quail egg . brioche

COWBOY RIB EYE 

20 oz . USDA prime

FILET MIGNON ▪ 8 oz

truffled mac & cheese and garlic creamed spinach

Bermuda onion rings

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

warm homemade toffee sauce . vanilla ice cream

BAKED NEW YORK CHEESECAKE

exotic fruit . raspberry sauce

As we were celebrating a birthday, it was such a nice touch that the entire staff signed a birthday card and presented it to us over dessert with candles and a lovely rendition of Happy Birthday in song:

Pin It

Paget Parish, Bermuda - Elbow Beach Hotel

I have just returned from a week on one of my favorite islands: Bermuda. Less than two short hours by plane from Boston and NYC, it is the perfect quick getaway for East Coasters. 

My preferred hotel is the Elbow Beach Bermuda (a Mandarin Oriental property), which as the name states, sits right on the pristine and turquoise waters of Elbow Beach. The location is idyllic and only a five minute taxi ride to the shops, bars and restaurants of downtown Hamilton. 

We stayed in a very spacious premier garden room (between the main property and the beach) that had open beamed ceilings,  a patio,  and can sleep up to three people. The room was renovated and modern, with a huge bathroom and all the amenities you could need, from an ipod docking station, to twice daily housekeeping services, free wifi, and all premier movie channels. I do love the plushness of the Mandarin Oriental beds and down pillows!

We filled our days with big breakfasts overlooking the ocean, lots of morning tennis and lazy afternoons lying on the beach with rum swizzle cocktails served right to our lounge chairs.

The best part of the island? The local Bermudians! I was blown away by the friendliness and kindness of everyone I met, from hotel and restaurant staff to taxi drivers. As one taxi driver told us, "It doesn't cost anything to be nice to people." Indeed. 

Over the next few days I will be posting about all my favorite restaurants and watering holes on the island so stay tuned ...

Pin It