L’Oriental
L’Oriental opened its doors in 2000 and subsequently won a host of awards from the Bermudian magazine including Best New Restaurant, Best Sushi Bar and the Award of Excellence for food, drink and entertainment.
Some serious cash has been splashed out on transforming what was previously a nightclub into the restaurant it is today. Located upstairs in the same building as its sister restaurant, the Little Venice, they’ve done significantly more than hang a few paper lanterns here and there.
On entering the restaurant there is a sushi bar to the right where the chefs prepare the Japanese speciality before your eyes. Reflecting the owner’s passion for Russia, the bar also serves the finest Petrossian Caviar (Beluga, Sevruga and Ossetra) and shots of vodka to wash it down. Lovers can feast on aphrodisiac-laden Oysters served on a bed of crushed ice with shallot vinaigrette, Tabasco sauce and fresh lemon.
To the left, a footbridge takes you over a small indoor stream to a raised seating area. To the rear of the restaurant is the teppanyaki table where diners are dazzled by the skills of the Japanese-trained chefs. Specialities such as Imperial New York Steak or Shogun Filet Mignon with vegetables are stir-fried on a large table-top grill before you. Watching the chef prepare teppanyaki is an important part of the dining experience. Using the tools of his trade (a knife, fork and 2 spatulas) the food is cut, stirred, seasoned and finally divided to be served with spectacular skills of dexterity which stimulate conversations with previously unknown fellow diners.
Elsewhere on the menu are dishes from all corners of Asia including Thai and Indonesian curries. L’Oriental also has an excellent wine list plus a selection of sakes and Asian beers.
L’Oriental is owned by the Little Venice Group which also owns the La Trattoria, Little Venice, the Harbourfront and La Coquille. Look out for their special dine-around offers.