 Barroom hearth and flags at the Frog and Onion by pchamlis | Reviews and photos of Bermuda restaurants posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Bermuda dining. Map |
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 Sara and Bonnie getting into
the island spirit(s) by pchamlis, 2 more photos
But, I'd say it's more a local place, as they include a lot of local seafood options for dinner. Perhaps they do add a bit of continental flair to presentation, but in reality, it's quite understated. And, I'd say that Bouchee also has a little Caribbean flair to their recipes as well. It's just a good place to eat. They are especially proud to state that Bouchee is "100% Bermudian owned and operated".
Dress at Bouchee is "Smart Casual", meaning that you don't wear shorts at dinner time, or jeans at any time. Thankfully, like MOST Bermuda places now, ::I:: didn't have to wear a jacket.
NOTE... this restaurant used to be called Monty's and THAT was a long-time Hamilton eatery. Based on past and present information I've checked online, Bouchee is a different place than Monty's, so comparing old Monty reviews to Bouchee now doesn't give you a good feel for the place.
The soups were quite good... my daughter had a variation on crab bisque that was very tasty, and Bonnie had a "Cream of White Mushroom" that she said was the best she'd ever had. I opted for my first go-round on Bermuda Fish Chowder, and I discovered an instant attraction to this spicy concoction.
My daughter and wife then followed up soup with salad as their main course, both choosing a pear-walnut salad that was excellent.
I chose one of the evening specials, a local rockfish dish. Rockfish is basically what we Floridians would call grouper. Excellent, well-prepared and fresh fresh fresh. Leave a Comment Theme: FrenchPrice: US$41 and up » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 75 Pitts Bay Road, PembrokePhone: 441-292-4507/441-296-0166 faxDirections: Drive through Hamilton on Front Street. Bouchee is on the right side of the road after it crosses into Pembroke and changes to Pitts Bay Road. (it's kind of across from where the Princess Hotel is)
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 The ORIGINAL Swizzle Inn, near
Bailey's Bay by pchamlis, 4 more photos
The Swizzle Inn itself was established in 1932 in a 17th century roadhouse. My understanding is that the same family has run it since the 50s. There are now TWO Swizzle Inns in Bermuda... the original on Blue Hole Road in Hamilton Parish, and a new one over on the south shore at 87 South Road, Warwick Parish.
The original Swizzle Inn can be reached via buses 1, 3, 10 and 11. There is a bus stop right across the street. AND, if you visit Crystal Caves, the Swizzle Inn is actually just around the corner from Crystal Caves drive. So, you might want to set up a Cave and rum swizzle combo.
Well, they serve serious pub grub here, and it's all good. The bawdy Brit pub atmosphere adds to the fun, with all of the years and years of graffiti on the walls and tables. On some evenings, they add live music, but being typically "us", we were eating a bit earlier.
I decided that the Swizzle Inn was where ::I:: was going to have fish and chips, and it was a very good choice. The Inn is mondo traditional on their fish and chips, using cod and a nice beer batter. Bonnie and Sara decided to put their "southern style chicken" to the "we're southerners" test... and it passed. Mighty tasty bird they served.
As for drink accompaniment....as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. So while in the Swizzle, we did as the swizzlers did. We ordered ourselves a big fat pitcher of rum swizzles and set to finishing them off. Yep, I had a nice buzz when we left. But seeing as how we did manage to catch the bus back into Hamilton AND we successfully walked the short distance from the Hamilton bus stop back to the Kingston House B&B without being killed, I suppose we showed some modicrum of adult responsibility. :) Didn't even have a headache the next morning, either. Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 3 Blue Hole Hill, Bailey's Bay, Hamilton ParishPhone: (441) 293-1854Directions: For Bailey's Bay (original), take Bus 1,3,10 or 11. Tell the bus driver to let you off at the Swizzle. For the south shore Swizzle Inn, take bus 7, either from Dockyards or Hamilton. Again, ask the driver to let you off at "the new Swizzle".Website: www.swizzleinn.com Other Contact: info@swizzleinn.com
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 Barroom hearth and flags at
the Frog and Onion by pchamlis, 4 more photos
As is our usual plan, we were eating early and didn't hear the live band or DJ. But, I'm told that the Frog really hops later in the evening, and especially on Dockyard Nights...the weekly celebration that occurs for cruise ship visitors.
Also, if you're into billiards or snooker, The Frog and Onion is one of the few pubs in Bermuda that has pool tables.
On a personal note, please say hello to Respesio, our waiter. What a great guy. Tell him that we finally figured out what that creature on the Bermuda flag really is. :)
Outstanding pub grub here.
I had the Frog and Onion burger, a goliath hunk of medium-well (my choice) ground steak, with cheddar cheese, meaty bacon and cheddar cheese. Add the garden goodies and a little catsup, mustard and mayo and it's perfect.
As I mentioned above, many of the pub specialty dishes are named for famous English pubs, for regiments stationed in Bermuda and for Bermuda forts. These would include:
The "Royal Irish" (as in regiment) will get you (beef tenderloin strips, chourizo sausage, & tiger shrimp in a light tomato pepper curry sauce). A call for "The Bishop's Head" will result in savory chicken curry gracing your table. And in case you're traveling with vegetarian, you could order "The Duke of Edinburgh". (a crepe filed with mushrooms, tomato, almonds, peppers, in a light cheese sauce served with seasonal greens) :) Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: Cooperage Building, Maritime Lane, DockyardsPhone: 441-234-2900Directions: It's right across from the entrance area to the Bermuda Maritime Museum.Website: www.frogandonion.bm
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 Pouring the 1st of several
"rum swizzle" drinks by TheTravelSlut, 4 more photos
This is Bermuda’s oldest pub & restaurant sold its 1st rum swizzle drink in 1932 according to local lore.
There is live entertainment during the summer months, a gift shop on premise and an outdoor patio and verandah for dining and drinking.
The pub has a "casual fun"-- with a sports bar atmosphere-- plus some incredible wall and ceiling, floor and table graffiti with parts of the ceiling are adorned with business cards from all over the world (including mine now also).
The pub is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. with food available to 10 p.m.
The Swizzle Inn serves everything from traditional English dishes like meat pies to fresh seafood entrees and standard pub-sportsbar appetizers.
Sample prices include a Swizzle Burger @ $10.75 U.S. , English Fish & Chips $14.75 and Bermuda Fish Chowder $4.95
The nachos (both chili & vegetarian) are served hot, tasty and in large portions (which helps when you consume a famous Rum Swizzle or two or three...
The Swizzle Inn is known though for its famous Rum Swizzle- a potent drink concoction that goes down very smooth. Drinking to many of these can lead to the pubs’ other name—The Swagger Out.
Or you can order a “Dark & Stormy” drink which is another traditional Bermudian drink made from the country’s own Gosling Black Seal rum and Barritt’s ginger beer. Theme: LocalPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 3 Blue Hole Hill, Bailey’s Bay (North Shore)Phone: 441-293-1854Directions: (near the Crystal Caves) on the main road and bus route between Hamilton and St. George's. If you come from the caves, be sure to use the crosswalk to get to the Swizzle InnWebsite: www.swizzleinn.com Other Contact: Thanks Seabiscuit for the tip!!!
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 Here is the "Dockyards Brewing
Company" patio area by pchamlis
There are five different beers, each having a different focus and style. (Please see below, both in this and the next sections, for a description of the five brews. The prices are as follows: $5.75 for an English pint, which is 20 tasty ounces. A half-pint is $3.75. And if you want the BEST deal and/or you can't make up your mind, you can sample ALL FIVE brews (six ounces of each) for only $9.00.
Here are the five brews, the Dockyards' own description (from their menu) and my personal commentary...
Whale of a Wheat
A typical German Hefeweizen, this light and refreshing ale is made using a combination of wheat and barley malts from Europe. Brewed using only German hops this summer thirst quencher is served with a traditional slice of lemon. Pete says...this is a darn good brew, one of those nice, crisp German beers that you'll find in a club in Berlin. Clean and refreshing. One of my two favorites.
St David’s Light (Lager)
Brewed in the Pilsner style, this light, straw-coloured beer is delicately hopped with the finest European hops giving it a satisfying crisp flavour with a dry finish. Great brew to accompany the lighter meals. Pete says... has a lot in common with some of the beers I've tasted from the Czech Republic. If Pilsner floats your boat, sail to St. David's.
Somer’s Amber Ale
The flagship ale of Dockyard Brewing this cooper-coloured ale is a traditional English Bitter. Created using the finest Noble hops this brew is all round crowd pleaser to be enjoyed with all foods! Pete says... excellent. But for me, I prefer the darker English brews.
Trunk Island Pale Ale
Commonly referred to as IPA this highly hopped brew is packed full of flavour with sharp bitter finish. British soldiers serving in the far flung colony of India would appreciate this ale, which can be enjoyed with a variety of meals. Pete says... pale ales have always been a little edgy for me. This one's good and I'd be fine with a bottle anytime. But if I'm picking among these five special brews, I'd leave the pale ale for the IPA lovers of the world.
Black Anchor Porter
A classic London Porter, this rich dark ale has it’s roots in the early brewing history of England. This full bodied, medium hopped beer is a great partner for the heavy game pies and meats. Pete says... There will always be an England. And it'll always remind me of beers like Black Anchor Porter. A true and hairy-chested darker beer that stands up to any menu item, and also stands alone for a beer-only evening. This is my other favorite.
So, summing up, I like them all. But my favorites are kind of opposite ends of the scale. I love the dark Black Anchor Porter. And, the Whale of a Wheat reminds me so much of my favorite German brews. Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: Cooperage Building, Maritime Lane, DockyardsPhone: 441-234-2900Directions: Right across from the entrance to the Bermuda Maritime Museum.Website: www.frogandonion.bm
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 Sara, standing in front of
Flanagans bar, Hamilton by pchamlis
Flanagan's is pretty good for a quick bit or a light meal. Drinks are decent as well, along with a good selection of beers. The BEST thing about Flanagans is that it has more extended hours, even on Sunday, than do some other establishments in Hamilton. If you're in the mood for a food snack at 2:30 pm, Flanagan's is your ticket.
For some reason, the folks who owned the B&B we stayed at did NOT care for Flanagans. I think they felt that it was less of a pub and more of a thumping music club. That could be true later in the evening, we weren't there at 10 pm or anything. I was also warned that the service wasn't so good, and I can happily report that such warnings were not confirmed. During our stay in Bermuda, we visited Flanagans twice...once for a late Sunday lunch, and once for just a drink... and the service was great. Friendly waiters, and they took the time to talk abit with us about Cricket, which was on the big screen TVs. They had me almost wishing we'd be in town next week for the big Somerset vs St. Georges match.
Flanagans also advertises an all-day English breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes, black pudding and fries). Some say it's great for a hangover, but I have to say... me + black pudding wouldn't be a good mix if I was hung over. :^/
Some of the items are pub grub... burgers, fish and chips, etc. Others could fit more into the American fern bar genre... chicken wings, deep fried mushrooms (they had some silly name like Leprechauns Gold). You get the idea, not grand cuisine. Not really even charming pub food. But, it was well prepared, reasonably (for Bermuda) inexpensive. And it was OPEN when we wanted to eat or drink. Going back to the food, I saw someone at another table checking out the Steak and Guinness Pie.
Gotta admit that the pint of Bass Ale one afternoon really hit the spot. Oh, that brings us to one other thing... aside from the eatery, there is an honest to goodness bar back closer to the staircase. Quite a few local types seem to hang out there, watching TV, chatting up the barmaid and downing beer. They were friendly when we passed by going into and out of the eating part of Flanagans. Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 69 Front Street, HamiltonPhone: 441-295-8299Directions: Right downtown Hamilton, pretty much across from the "flagpole" area. Flanagans is upstairs, so look for a restaurant sign, street menu and a staircase.
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The Hog Penny is one of Hamilton's historic pubs. They've been serving happy customers for about fifty years, which means that they were here and cooking back when I lived in Bermuda. Being a little kid, I didn't hang out in pubs much, though.
The Hog Penny name comes from original coins used in Bermuda that were called Hogges or Hog Pennies. They had a picture of a hog on them, hence "The Hog Penny". Sometime I wish America would go back to putting buffalos or hogs or whatever on OUR money. I'm kind of tired of politicians. :)
The Penny has a nice beer menu and serves up tall schooners of Brit beer, along with quite a few of the local rum specialities. Their food is quintessential British pub food, and it's "smashing", to borrow a phrase from the Poms. :)
Unlike some of the other pubs, the Hog Penny is less raucous and more reserved. On some evenings, they'll have a guitar duo adding music, but it's no disco. You'll like the Hog... we did.
I decided to go full-scale Brit pub, and had the bangers and mash. Local pork sausages with mashed potatoes and gravy. Darn good, quite filling, and just what I wanted that night.
Continuing the "lets be Brits" theme, Bonnie and Sara shared a plate of English fish and chips, also perfect. Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 5 Burnaby Street, HamiltonPhone: 441-292-2534Directions: Burnaby Street turns off from Front Street in Hamilton. Once you turn onto Burnaby, the Hog Penny is just head on your left.Website: www.hogpennypub.com/index2.html
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 Only the best goes into the
pot at the Lobster Pot by pchamlis
The Pot has quite a few other nautical offerings, and if I remember, they had steaks as well. So if you're looking for anything from mussels to swordfish, and about everything in between, the Lobster Pot is a tried and true Bermuda Classic.
Everything is good at the Lobster Pot, and the reason is that "only the best goes into the pot", per their slogan. They use the freshest ingredients and have been doing this seafood gig for a long, long time.
Among the better appetizers are "Fritz's Famous Fish Chowder" and the lobster bisque. On the chowder, I recommend adding just a bit of the sherry pepper sauce (HOT enough to garner Al Gore's attention re the climate...) and maybe a teaspoon and a half of the Gosling's Black Seal Rum. Umm Ummm.
For a main course, fresh fish is a great choice. You can choose the fish of the day, or several other offerings, and can have it prepared a variety of ways. I chose the Wahoo Steak (my dad caught a huge wahoo in Bermuda when we lived here, and we still have that photo on my parents' wall, so I ordered wahoo in honor of dear old dad), and I had it done "island style", pan fried and topped with bananas and almonds. Bonnie did the local rockfish, and went with the simple "broiled with lemon butter" prep.
Among the other great items on the menu were:
THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE, a combination of shrimps, scallops and fish, broiled or deep-fried and served with tartar sauce or lemon butter
THE SEAFOOD LOVER'S FEAST, ½ Maine lobster, mussels, crab claws, clams and shell on
shrimps, simmered in a saffron stock with vegetables
THE ARGUS TOWER CONNECTION, broiled wahoo, tuna & dolphin all in one boat, topped with tomato and glazed with hollandaise sauce
I also remember that the Lobster Pot had a very nice and tempting dessert menu. Sara went with the chocolate mousse...excellent. Leave a Comment Theme: SeafoodPrice: US$31-40 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 6 Bermudiana Road, HamiltonPhone: 441-292-6898Directions: Bermudiana Road turns off Pitts Bay Road, which is actually Front Street JUST to the west of Hamilton. Turn away from the harbor onto Bermudiana. The Pot is about two blocks up, on the left.Website: http://www.bermuda.com/lobsterpot/
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Beethoven's is actually two different restaurants housed in the exact same space. For breakfast and lunch, it's pretty informal with a menu geared towards casual dining...maybe not casual pricing of course, this IS Bermuda...but casual dining. But at night, they apparently add candles to the tables, lower the lighting and turn into what Lonely Planet's Bermuda Guide actually called "perhaps the most romantic dining spot on the West End". Hmmm, I'll have to think about it I guess, we were there for lunch, and had burgers and salads, along with drinks. More drinks you say? This IS Bermuda. ;)
OK, let's also have a little chat about lunch versus breakfast. I suppose the same issue applies at lunch versus dinner. These cats are pretty set in their ways (not just at Beethoven, but in Bermuda proper) about strict times. Case in point, we wanted to get a quick lunch out at dockyards, so we walk in and seat ourselves (per the sign out front...remember, it doesn't turn into maitre'd-land until after dark). It's perhaps 11:50 am. They bring me the breakfast menu, and when we ask the waitress if we can't get the lunch menu, she points out that it's "not noon yet". So, we got up and left for about fifteen minutes, did a spot of shopping in the Dockyards shopping "mall" area, and then returned to Beethoven. We walked in, sat at exactly the same table that we had some 15 minutes earlier, and presto... it's lunchtime. Just like magic. They weren't nasty or anything, just quite adamant about 11:50 am being breakfast and 12:05 pm being lunch.
But, the food at Beethoven is very good, as is the service. So, synchronize your watches to be sure of your exact Atlantic Standard or Daylight time moment, and head over to Beethoven.
In the "STEREOTYPES EXIST BECAUSE THEY'RE TRUE" department, I found out later that Beethoven is owned and operated by two Swiss gentlemen. Switzerland = clocks = caring intensely about exactly what time it is. Now it all makes sense...kind of.
The breakfast menu (see above) looked pretty good, but we weren't in the mood for brekkie. They had all sorts of omelets, fresh fruit, breads/scones, etc. Also, there was a nice list of Belgian waffles and other pastries.
For lunch, it was much like a "classy pub" menu, with a few upgrades. I did see some steaks and chops available, along with some higher-end seafood items. We were eating light, so I had one of their ostrich burgers, medium well, with all the trimmings. Good good good, and although I'm not one to stick my head in the sand, I hear it's better for your heart that good old beefsteak. ;) As for my wife and daughter, they were on "soup and caesar salad mode". All nice and fresh, and well-prepared.
For dinner, they add the top-quality angus steaks, duck a l'orange and such.
Hey, going back to the lunchtime burgers, Beethoven had quite a "collection" of choices. They had the standard beefsteak, they had ostrich, they had a fish burger, and they also had a "Portuguese burger". When asked about the Portuguese burger, they said that it was made primarily of the classic Portuguese sausage (whose name is presently escaping me), ground and cooked with spices and filler to produce the "burger". Sounded great, but I didn't have my Prilosec in hand, so I went with the Big Bird Burger instead. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: Clocktower Mall, Dockyards, Sandys ParishPhone: 441-234-5009Directions: Just walk into the mall from the side facing the Bermuda Maritime Museum (actually the "victualling yard") Walk to the left and Beethoven is up in the corner at the end of that hall.
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 Entrance to the White Horse
Tavern, St. George by pchamlis, 1 more photos
They have a nice collection of salads and sandwiches for the lunch menu, and several meat dishes are added for dinner. Seafood is also a good choice, especially at dinner.
The White Horse also considers itself a "sports bar" and has live entertainment in the evenings.
We did a light lunch at White Horse. Beers all the way around, and then one of their "Bermuda Onions", the local version of the ubiquitous "blooming onion" appetizers served at fern bars everywhere. I had another try of the local fish chowder, and White Horse's was quite good. Bonnie and Sara did salads.
Hey, happy hour at White Horse happens seven days a week, from 5-7 pm. You can get $3.50 beers, which is a good deal in Bermuda.
White Horse also features an "all day breakfast special" for $14.95, 2 pancakes, 2 bacon, 2 sausages, 2 eggs (Your choice of fried, scrambled, over easy, hard boiled, or sunny side up), with fried potatoes. In the mornings, White Horse also features the local breakfast treat, codfish and potatoes.
Among the better pub offerings are the bangers and mash...one of MY favorite pub dishes. :) The seafood platter is a pretty good Bermuda deal for $17.95. It includes fried coconut shrimp, scallops, wahoo, calamari & conch fritter served with french fries or salad, with your choice of tarter, cocktail, or keylime mustard sauce. Leave a Comment Theme: Pub/BreweryPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: King's Square, St. GeorgePhone: 441-297-1838Directions: Right at the harbor, just across from the dunking stool area and the town hall.Website: www.whitehorsebermuda.com
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