Dockyard’s catch of the day
Date Posted: Friday, April 06, 2007Author: Christen Pears
The perfect partnership: Martin (left) and Livio
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There are some combinations that go together perfectly: gin and tonic, Batman and Robin, strawberries and cream. And now Livio Ferigo and Martin Estis have joined the illustrious list. At first sight the partnership between chef and construction boss seems an unlikely one but earlier this week the pair opened a restaurant that draws on the expertise of both.
Martin, who owns A&M Construction Ltd, is a keen fisherman and had a long- harboured ambition to open a fish restaurant. When his friend Livio returned to Bermuda after a stint abroad and began thinking about a new venture, they decided to go into business together.
Livio says: “People have approached me before but I chose Martin because of our friendship and the fact he is a master of construction. When you put that together with my experience running restaurants we knew it would be successful.”
The result is Bone Fish Bar & Grill, which occupies a prime site in Dockyard, right opposite the ferry terminal. Livio and Martin spent 12 months looking for a suitable property and after exhausting all the options in Hamilton, settled on the former Pirate’s Landing.
Martin says; “There was nothing in town that really appealed to us and when we came up here we thought it was perfect. It’s a great location and the building had a lot of potential. We realised that a lot of people live up here so something like this is long overdue.”
As a Dockyard resident myself I’ve been avidly watching the developments over the last few months. The building has undergone an amazing transformation. The grey exterior is now painted a warm rust colour and a dozen or so tables and chairs stand outside on deep, purply-blue tiles that create a Mediterranean feel. Inside, the décor is both modern and relaxed. There are French windows down one side and in a few weeks they will be flung open to allow diners to eat al fresco but protected from the elements by a marquee. The large area at the front, which is currently an expanse of soil, will become a wooden decked terrace with a bar.
Livio, who proudly describes it as “one of the most functional restaurants in Bermuda”, says: “This is a dream restaurant for me because Martin put it together according to what I needed.”
Livio began his career working in hotels in his native Italy and in recent years has established a reputation as one of Bermuda’s leading chefs. After working at Little Venice, he took over Monte Carlo and soon found himself catering for visiting celebrities including President Carter, Naomi Campbell and David Bowie. He hopes Bone Fish will become as popular.
“This is for everybody – tourists and locals. We have a children’s menu, a late menu. It’s something for everybody,” he says.
Unlike in most restaurants, where the chef remains in the kitchen all night, diners can expect to see Livio out and about in the restaurant.
Martin says: “One of the things that really impressed me about Livio was that he would always come out of the kitchen and talk to people. I never used to look at the menu at Monte Carlo because he would come out and ask me what I wanted. It’s a really personal service.”
A quick flick through one of the menus, which were designed by Livio’s wife, Cidalia, reveals a wide choice of dishes, which reflect the restaurant’s tagline, ‘A taste of land and sea’. There’s everything from Bermudian fish chowder and rockfish prepared in at least three different ways, to steaks and lamb chops, not to mention a selection of pastas and lighter, lunchtime dishes, including sandwiches and salads. The emphasis is very much on fresh, local produce.“
Bermuda has great products, whether it’s fish, strawberries or bananas. I want to use as much as possible. Everything is fresh,” explains Livio.
This is where Martin’s passion for fishing comes in. Before he entered the construction business, he worked as a fishermen and still has a licence. Fishing is a passion and he will be giving Livio the pick of his catch.
“You see it’s a perfect partnership,” chuckles Livio.
Bone Fish is open from 11.30am to 10.30pm seven days a week and also offers a catering service. For more information call 234 5151 or email bonefish@transact.bm