Get ready to sample the best island food

I hope you are hungry as there are endless culinary delights to be sampled at discounted prices.

Thirty-eight restaurants are participating in Restaurant Week this year and that means 38 fabulous menus to salivate over.

As usual, there are three price categories — $29, $39 and $49 each with three-course set menus. 

Some restaurants are offering different menus each week — Lobster Pot, like Bistro J and others are offering new specials every night.

Most restaurants have one set menu for the whole promotion.

In the $29 category, restaurants include Pickled Onion, Bistro J, Bonefish, Jasmine Lounge, La Trattoria, Victoria Grill and many others.

Chef Tom Tabor of Victoria Grill is offering cornbread panzella, French cut chicken with sweet potato hash, double chocolate bread pudding and much more for Restaurant Week.

Get people talking

Speaking on the menu, Chef Tabor said: “I want this menu to reflect the changes we have made at Victoria Grill and get people talking about the food here.

“There is something for everyone, including vegetarians and at the same time unique to our restaurant.

“When we did our first tasting with the staff last week, it was great to see how much everyone enjoyed the food.

“I couldn’t choose a favourite dish on this menu. Can you?”

Asked what he would say to encourage diners to try the menu at Victoria Grill, Chef Tabor said: “There are a lot of great restaurants doing Restaurant Week, but at Victoria Grill, we have really put some creative thought towards the menu.

“Once someone steps through the front door, they will be glad they did.”

In the $39 category, restaurants include Sul Verde, Barracuda Grill, Little Venice, L’Oriental, Bouchee, Heritage Court, The Newport and many more.

Michael Scott, Executive Sous Chef for The Fairmont Southampton is offering diners Newport seafood chowder, southern fried chicken with truffle mac and cheese, Steak Frites, bread and butter pudding and more.

He said: “The dishes for Restaurant Week are reflective of our new winter menu offerings at Fairmont.  

“It is exciting to give guests the chance to sample three courses of our new menu items, whether it is the new Bronx Bomber Pizza at Jasmine, The Newport, a Gastropub’s Southern Fried Chicken paired with Truffled Mac & Cheese, or the gorgeously prepared Steak Diane or Bermuda cedar Plank Salmon at The Waterlot Inn.  

“There are also several classic favourites included, like the Sticky Toffee Pudding at The Waterlot Inn.  Restaurant Week is a great time to treat yourself to your favourite restaurant or to try something new.”

Finally, in the $49 category, restaurants include The Waterlot Inn, Ascot’s, Beau Rivage, Blu Bar and Grill, Café Lido, Fourways Inn and more.

Chef Jean Claude Garzia of Beau Rivage has planned a classic menu featuring fish chowder, fish cakes, chicken piccata, crushed black peppercorn sirloin, apple tart tatin and much more.

Asked what the best offerings are on the menu, Chef Garzia said: “Everything. Our amazing fishcakes, chowder and strip loin.”

Asked what he would say to encourage diners to head to Beau Rivage, he said: “To see and to enjoy our Restaurant Week menu and also to the same time to have a look at our regular menu.

“And, our amazing one of a kind view over Hamilton Harbour.”

Restaurant Week is from January 17 to February 13. Prices do not include gratuities or beverages. 

For more information, visit gotobermuda.com