The Queen got a real taste of Bermuda at the State Dinner held in her honour, dining on Bermuda rockfish and cassava pie.

The menu was a feast of local produce, ranging from corn soup to carrots, broccoli and squash, and the famous savoury dish.

It was all rounded off with a dessert of mixed berries.

Surrounded by murals depicting eight historic seaports around the world, The Point restaurant was a fitting setting for the Royal visit.

The Queen and Prince Philip's visit not only celebrated Bermuda's 400th anniversary but also marked the 60th year of the Commonwealth.

Eighty-foot murals provided a cosmopolitan setting for the State Dinner with their depictions of seafaring days gone by. Winding around the room, they take you on a journey from Hong Kong in the 1800s to Canton, Lahaina in Maui, Beirut, Constantinople (Istanbul), London, Rio de Janeiro, Gloucester in New England, and New York.

Originally commissioned for the Pan Am Building in Manhattan, the works, by Eurasian artist Gerard Henderson, were brought to Bermuda at the close of the Pan Am Sky Club in 2005.

Ed Trippe, son of Pan American Airways founder Juan Trippe and the president of Tucker's Point Club, then commissioned West Coast artist Doug Bowman to create an eighth mural portraying Hamilton Harbour in the 1880s.

Ninety guests attended Wednesday night's dinner.

Speaking before it took place, restaurant maître d' Paul Christie described the mood among the 12 chefs and 18 waiters as "very relaxed".

Head chef Serge Bottelli, who cooked for Princess Margaret at Camden 15 years ago, added: "Everyone is ready, we are fine."

The dinner was hosted by Premier Ewart Brown and his wife, Wanda. Also in attendance were Governor Sir Richard Gozney and Lady Gozney, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, US Congressman G. K. Butterfield, and other overseas dignitaries.

Local guests included Government Ministers, Opposition Leader Kim Swan, Bermuda Democratic Alliance member, MP Mark Pettingill, Independent MP Wayne Furbert, former Premier Sir John Swan, and former PLP candidate Jane Correia.

As the Queen arrived at Tucker's Point Hotel she was presented with two handmade glass Gombey Dancers on a Bermuda Cedar base by the Premier.

The artwork, entitled 'Bermuda Gombey Dance', was created by local craftsman Jeremy Johnson.

In a gift exchange, the Queen then presented Dr. Brown with a copy of 'A History of Golf The Royal and Ancient Game' by Robert Browning. Mrs. Henton Brown was given a blue enamel pill box.

Her Majesty then entered The Point restaurant to a fanfare by trumpeters of the Bermuda Regiment. This was followed by a soaring rendition of 'Amazing Grace' by Bermudian soprano Toni Robinson.

The Premier gave an address of welcome and proposed a toast to Her Majesty, who replied with an address and a toast to Bermuda.

Commenting on the evening yesterday, Dr. Brown said: "It was a tremendous honour for my wife and I, and our desire was to do Bermuda proud."

Mr. Pettingill described the State Dinner as "a brilliant and classy occasion, wonderfully hosted by the Premier and his wife".

"I was honoured to be there and to be Bermudian," he said.

He added that Prince Philip had taken an interest in local politics, asking him as he stood in the receiving line, "How is the new party?".

Mr. Pettingill said: "I replied, 'Going very well, thank you'."