Harbourfront Restaurant has moved — taxi!

Actually, if you're a regular of the popular Front Street restaurant you won't have to worry about hailing a taxi to get to the new location because its owners are, for the moment, laying on a free taxi service during their peak lunchtime hours to shuttle customers to the new restaurant next to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

And the re-located restaurant is planning to tap into a new side market as a result of its truly waterfront location — a take-away service for mariners who will be able to tie up their boat to a new deck directly outside the restaurant and pop in to collect their order before sailing away to enjoy it.

However, that is something for the future. For now there is plenty for customers who arrive by land.

A remarkable logistical exercise was carried out last weekend which meant the Harbourfront Restaurant was closed for only three days as it moved from the soon to be demolished section of the Saltus Block to the premises of the former La Coquille French restaurant at the side of BUEI. It has now reopened as a stunning destination restaurant featuring a custom-made sushi bar/restaurant that has been designed by an interior designer working alongside Harbourfront Restaurant partner Pierangelo Lanfranchi. They both studied the latest trends in sushi restaurants around the world before arriving at the final design.

The new Harbourfront Restaurant has two distinct moods, one is a heavily Japanese-influenced sushi section, the other is a light and airy dining area with ceiling-to-floor views of Hamilton harbour and outside deck seating.

Mr. Lanfranchi is delighted with the appearance of the re-configured restaurant and the teamwork of the staff, chefs and waiters, who worked to achieve the rapid transition from the old restaurant venue to the new.

Of the collaboration with the restaurant designer, Mr. Lanfranchi said: "There was great energy between us and had the same ideas about the colours and displays."

There are authentic Japanese decorations, including impressive 'good luck' containers hanging behind the sushi bar, where mirrors conceal two plasma TVs that can be turned on for selected sporting events or as required for customers enjoyment.

The furniture itself has been shipped from Italy.

In the other section of the restaurant there is a lighter, more conservative feel and tables are further apart. It is also bathed in natural light through wall windows that look out on the harbour. A small terrace area has some outdoor seating. The deck area has also been assigned to outdoor seating.

"We wanted to have two different atmospheres, one for the sushi and the other with a more secluded feel and more space between the tables so people can have their privacy."

As for the food and service, the Harbourfront management has retained its staff. The chefs and waiters know many customers by name and Mr. Lanfranchi wanted that relationship to continue.

"This is a true destination restaurant. We had a good following at the old Harbourfront, now we have this great location," he added.

The restaurant will be open seven days a week offering lunches and dinners, with dinners starting from 5 p.m. There is also weekdays "happy hour" between 5 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

For the moment the restaurant is laying on taxis from the entrance of its former location on Front Street between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., allowing regulars to enjoy their lunchtime meal at the new venue and be shuttled back afterwards.