Yeah Mediterraneo (sp? lol) closed at least a year ago. It's now Greg's Steakhouse. I hear they give discounts if you can prove you share the same name as the owner. ;o) j/k

If you like Thai food, I would definitely recommend Silk. Actually those are all nice restaurants you've mentioned but I'm assuming you're looking specifically for somewhere to celebrate the birthday....?

If that's the case I would certainly recommend Tom Moore's. It's not that far away- about 15 minutes from Hamilton. But if you want to be somewhere in town so you can go out afterwards for a drink, etc. then there are other really good options in town. Or if you want to be closer to where you're staying in Southampton then the Newport Room is definitely a great option. Well, it is either way but....

It might help to know a bit more about what you're hoping to do for that entire night. Then we might better be able to find a restaurant and location that suits you.

Thanx BermyMan for the quick reply. Just found out that The Middleton Room has closed, and will be replaced 'sometime in July' by a new restaurant called Splendido. Other than it sounds Italian, it's all I've learned about it.

Based on your suggestion, I think we will head to Tom Moore's after all. We have no plans for the evenings beyond dinner. So, proximity to night life not really a concern. And, we can probably do our street shopping during lunches (if we decide to head out for lunch!) Again, thanx for your reply.

The only time we went to Tom Moores it was terrible (I dont like Blu either ! )

Have you thought if Ascots - Fourways - cafe Lido - all much better ??

In all my years of going to Tom Moore's, I've never come away disappointed. But I guess anywhere is capable of having an off night or an occasional meal that doesn't satisfy.

Blu is a really cool atmosphere with amazing views but while the food is GOOD, i don't think it matches the atmosphere. It's still a decent place to go IMO.

Another nice spot is Beau Rivage at Newstead Belmont Hills. More amazing harbor views, outstanding service and great French cuisine. I just went this week and would highly recommend it also. They're a bit short staffed now so are only taking limited bookings, so call ahead for sure. But again- the staff, the service, view, decor, and food were all outstanding.

If you find you are interested in considering other options, I would suggest Fourways and Ascots. Have a wonderful trip, can't think of a nicer way to celebrate a big OH birthday.

You've convinced me that we could do better than Blu. I appreciate all the comments, particularly for Fourways, and I'll add them to the list. My wife (birthday girl) is web-surfing today and has discovered Barracuda Grill in Hamilton, as well as the Tamarisk at Cambridge Beaches. Thoughts?

Well if a magic carpet flew me back to Bermuda (lived there for 9 years ) I would eat at

1 Rustico in Flatts village

2 Cafe Lido (table by the window )

3 Fourways (old world charm )

4 Ascots (have to eat there as its my favouite hotel in Bermuda- and I would be staying there in a suite!!! )

and we are real "foodies " also

We just got back from bermuda and did a ton of research on dinners b/c we had the same agenda. I just posted a trip report. You can see it for a brief review on our dining spots. IMO, you cannot get a better dinner or experience than the newport room at the Fairmont Southampton, BUT it is a little formal- it's a AAA 5 diamond restaurant- jacket required. Our meal and experience was perfect though.

Blu was very good, but not "OMG best meal ever" good. We didn't go to Fourways based on a good friends' description of it as a place for a "much older crowd". My apologies to those who love it, but it wasn't what we are looking for-- we are early 40s BTW. Ascots sounds like a great choice for you, though we didn't go, i regret that. I was told by the concierge at the FS, btw that Tom Moores was 45 minutes from the hotel. for that reason, we chose not to go. Waterlot, btw , was great too, i would avoid the double stuffed potatoe and the "risotto" (which was not made with arborio rice, so i'm not sure why it's called rissotto.

We ate at Cafe lido last time we were in bermuda and enjoyed it. We wanted to try something new this last time out though since we had a lot of repeats on our list.

Happy Birthday to your wife!

Never quite sure what the age of the other diners has to do with anything when one is going for a meal.

So if you are in your forties and the other diners are in their fifties is that going to give you indigestion? I think that I would be more concerned with eating with a younger crowd who might have badly behaved children with them.

You don't say what the risotto was made with but it doesn't have to be arborio rice. In fact there are several other more expensive varieties of rice which are preferred to arborio.