food for thought

If you're a gourmet cook & are looking forward to continuing along that same thread here in Bermuda, you will be disappointed some upon a trip to the grocery store. There are some things that are just not available here & if by some remote chance they are, they will cost you an arm & a leg in the process. One example: Spices! If this is an integral part of your cuisine then you may want to stock up before you hit the island & take note, this is something that you are allowed to bring onto the island. Or if you're visiting family or friends on the island surprise them with a self made spice basket. They will thank you for it! But it would be worthwhile to find out their favourite few before you go spicing up your shopping trip.

If you lack the culinary skills or the patience, then panic not for there's plenty of restaurants to cater to your international taste buds. Over the past few years, the restaurant scene has had plenty of additions from Thai & Japanese to Arabic & Indian cuisine. But what if you're looking for something authentically Bermudian? One has to know that Bermuda's cuisine is a blend of English, Carribean & African dishes that have been borrowed & modified over the years. While I won't go so far as to say it's hard to find something authentically Bermudian, there are some dishes that are unique to this island.

We start off with the Bermuda Fish Chowder, found at most restaurants, is one dish not to be passed. Cassava Pie is a sweet melt in your mouth explosion! This island also boasts a multitude of fresh Rockfish, Wahoo & its own lobster (during lobster season), so be sure to try at least one of these delicious varieties. Locals are huge on shark & love making hash out of it. Of course, no island would be complete without its share of rum & Bermuda does have its very own, Gosling's Rum, available island wide at any liquor store or for half the price at the duty free at the Bermuda airport. But wait, I'm not done. One place to visit is the Swizzle Inn where they are famous for their Rum Swizzles, also known as Bermuda's national drink. Well, what else can you expect from an island? They've got to have at least one national drink. Go easy on the Rum Swizzles though, this is one strong drink that'll knock your socks off, if you're not careful with your consumption!
An afterthought:
I wonder if Canada has a national drink - if it did it'd probably be a Molson.