Hog Penny--Hamilton, Bermuda

I went to Hog Penny Pub one day.

BERMUDA FISH CHOWDER $6.00

truly authentic, ours is the winning chowder of the Bermuda Culinary Festival. Served with Gosling’s Black Seal rum and sherry peppers

HOMESTYLE MEATLOAF $16.00
ground beef, pork and proscuitto with roasted garlic, fresh herbs and spices, baked, with sundried tomato demi glaze, vegetables and mashed potatoes

Pomegranite Mojito Bacardi white rum, fresh lime juice, fresh mint, 100% pomegranite juice and splash of soda. Outstandingly classy and incredibly refreshing.

PISTACHIO CREME BRULEE $6.50
pistachio infused, with fresh whipped cream, and fresh fruit garnish

I liked the atmosphere and Hog Penny Pub is located near Front Street (the main drag) in Hamilton, Bermuda. I had first heard of this place on Rachel Ray's show "$40 a Day". Also the other wedding guests raved about this place to me in terms of the value for your dollar and the caliber of the food.

The service was attentive and friendly. I was seated by the friendly hostess and promptly for lunch. I liked the decorations alot of dark colors and but comfortable. I had the pomegrante mojito which was good but I did not taste much pomegrante. I had to have the famous fish chower and before it is served my waitress poured the Gosling Rum and Sherry on top before I had it. It as good and interesting with the liquor in it though. Very bold and full bodied in taste and the fish was fresh and good. Weird to have it called chowder as from New England I am used to it being white with lots of cream and potatoes.

The meatloaf was great with a flavorful gravy and two pieces of meat loaf over the mashed potatoes. There were not much veggies but overall the dish was filling and warming. I had to end with dessert and the pistachio creme brulee was a nice ending to a pleasant but pricey lunch.

People were not kidding when they told me Bermuda would be expensive but I had a great time.

8 forks out of 10 forks

Paradiso Cafe---Hamilton, Bermuda

Paradiso Cafe is located on Reid Street on the other end of Front Street (a few streets away).
I found it from the Lonely Planet guide book of one of the other wedding guests.

Simple cafe and I got the fruit cup, orange juice and quiche. Everything came out to $13. I had read that tip is automatically included for the majority of the dining establishments. So read look at your dining bills so you do not over tip by accident.

The fruit salad was very simple and fresh with cantaloupe, strawberries, grapes and the quiche was a bit cold with spinach cheese and egg.

Very simple place that had steady business. I was not bothered and had to wait a bit to get my bill. I was able to order at the counter and then later was told to sit down as I would be served my meal.

7 forks out of 10 forks

Coco Reef Resort----around Elbow Beach in Bermuda

Coco Reef Resort
3 Stonington Circle
South Shore Road
Paget Parish
Bermuda, PG 04
Phone Number: (441)236-5416

I attended a friend's destination wedding in Bermuda at Coco Reef. Chef John Pritchard has gotten accolades from Conde Nast's Traveller as a great chef and hosted a television food show in his native Toronto before taking on the helm at Coco Reef.

We enjoyed our food while attending the various wedding functions. The reception food was delicious! The fruit was amazingly fresh and sweet. The lobster fresh rolls were delicate but flavorful. The kabobs were tasty with a choice of chicken and shrimp with the dipping sauce. The mesclun salad mix had decadently tasty tomatoes and the mini quiches were the only things I thought were not as exciting as the others food options.

The wedding cake I had was lovely but a little dry. My seared yellow fin tuna was delicious and the feta tomato side was a nice salty contrast to the tuna.

9 forks out of 10 forks

The New Swizzle Inn-South Shore of Bermuda

Swizzle Inn

The Swizzle Inn is an institution in Bermuda and now they have a second location in the South Shore (literally a one minute walk from my lodgings) which I found to be wonderful. I went on a busy Saturday night.

The wait was a bit long and got to sit in the bar area to have their famous Rum Swizzle (very small, packs a punch and tasty ---the one at Coco Reef was bigger). It was served in a mini martini glass. While waiting, I checked up with the waiter about my table, I am glad I checked, the person who welcomed me forgot to put me on the wait list for a table. (I am glad I checked as I was FAMISHED!) They did apologize for the wait.

Us byes Conch fritters-An island classic with tartar sauce. $9.75

Prime Rib char-grilled to your liking, served with a wild mushroom sauce, potato, salad and seasonal veggies. $22.95 (weekend special and famous Island bargain)

I enjoyed my conch fritters, not overly greasy a bit chewy but then there was alot of dough. Conch by itself is not easy to eat but the finely chopped bits were good. I did like the tartar dipping sauce. The prime rib was HUMONGOUS! I am glad I was hungry! The portions were generous and well priced.

The wait for my check was a bit much but I always got refills of water.

*great value for buck---the prime rib special

*service--uneven

*atmosphere--busy but fun pub

8 forks out of 10 forks