Mediterranean

Opened in 2008 inside the historic hilltop manor house of Horizons & Cottages Resort [1],
Splendido (tel. 441/239-7411, splendido [at] logic [dot] bm, www.horizonscottages.com [2], lunch noon–2:30 p.m., dinner 6:30–10 p.m., Sunday brunch 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) is impressing a growing fan base with its Mediterranean-style menu. Delicacies include standouts such as hand-made ravioli ($15), seared foie gras with fig and cardamon jam ($20), beef tenderloin with wild mushrooms and Madeira jus ($38), Atlantic salmon with black-olive-crushed potato, sweetpea puree and chorizo oil ($28), and soft lime mousse ($11). Unlike its predecessor in the same location, Splendido requires no jackets or ties.

Mandarin Oriental Elbow Beach Hotel’s [3]
Café Lido (at the beach, 60 South Shore Rd., tel. 441/236-9884, fax 441/236-8496, manager [at] lido [dot] bm, www.lido.bm [4], 6:30–10 p.m. daily, $40 buffet brunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Sun.) is an elegant and sophisticated oceanfront dining room. With large windows looking out to Elbow Beach’s [5] blue horizons, and the surf just a staircase away, the restaurant oozes modern ambience with its terracotta and wood decor and very professional service from manager Ennio Lucarini and his attentive staff. The award-winning menu is outstanding, loaded with fresh fish and seafood. Appetizers include fresh oysters ($4 each) and beef tenderloin tartare or roasted vegetable tart (both $18.75). Entrées offer a choice of fish (seafood casseroles $42.75) meat (rack of lamb with almond-herb crust $36.75), and a daily-changing pasta special ($26).

For a more casual setting and fare, step onto the sea terrace outside Lido, where the Seabreeze Lounge (tel. 441/232-3999 or 441/236-9884, bar and lounge 5 p.m.–1 a.m. for food, and 5 p.m.–2 a.m. bar) serves tasty tapas, cocktails, and wine. Tapas ($5.75–$14.75) include cheese and chocolate fondues, cornmeal timbale, goat cheese pizza, traditional Bermuda fish chowder, and a full sushi menu.

Also part of Mandarin Oriental Elbow Beach Hotel [3], sister to Café Lido on the terrace above, Mickey’s Bar & Bistro (at the beach, 60 South Shore Rd., tel. 441/236-9107, open May–Dec. only, lunch noon–3 p.m. daily, dinner 6:30–10:30 p.m. daily, bar service 10 a.m.–1 a.m.) sits on the sand under a custom-made tent within a few yards of the thunderous surf. The casual chic eatery offers a simpler vibe than Lido, but some of the same specialties—salads, pastas, steaks, and seafood—at near-parallel prices (main courses $28–34). But service is stellar, the dishes beautifully concocted, and the alfresco surroundings utterly relaxing, even by Bermuda standards.