t is what the Bermudian diner has been waiting for, Claudio Vigilante said with a smile when asked why Thai was the cuisine chosen for his newest restaurant.

Mr. Vigilante and his business partners are about ready to unveil the latest star in their shining crown of restaurants ? SILK ? with imminent plans (the final touches were still being put on the restaurant yesterday) to throw open the doors to the new Thai eatery.

The group already run the successful Chancery Lane restaurant and wine bar, Fresco's (Mediterranean cuisine), as well as Aqua (fusion cuisine), the hit restaurant at Michael Douglas' South Shore hotel, Ariel Sands.

Next up, the flavours of the far east kingdom of Siam, with the group yesterday readying to open to the public after an extensive refit of what was formerly Fresco's Express and before that Pink's deli.

The new space has now been transformed into a hip, dark wood restaurant that has a decidedly urban flair with its brightly coloured walls (everywhere you look there is a different colour from robin egg's blue, to terra rosa to midnight blue) outdoor terrace and cozy upstairs dining room. Add to that the art deco wall sconces and trendy hanging-from-the-ceiling lights at each table.

Next to the Pickled Onion on Front Street, Mr. Vigilante said the restaurant will be serving strictly Thai (with the exception of some western desserts like flourless chocolate cake) while sticking to a menu in the western format, with choices of starters, main courses and desserts.

He laughingly recalled how locals already familiar with his other restaurants have been peeking in the door during the eight-week renovation.

"Everyone wants to know what we are doing; when we are opening," he said.

And why Thai? Mr. Vigilante, who came to the Island some 20 years ago from Italy to work first for Waterloo House and then Ascot's before building his own empire with a group of unnamed partners, said: "Above the fact that it is my favourite food. Thai is the fastest growing ethnic food in North America. In the UK, it has been popular for the last ten years, alongside Indian and Italian."

Business partner and legal counsel for the group, Kevin Bean of Smith & Co. said the health conscious qualities of the Thai diet were also a deciding factor.

"Thai cuisine has been traditionally known as healthy. Bermudians are very conscious of diet," he said.

Although Mr. Vigilante said that Thai cuisine is a simple in its presentation, the meals are sure to be a visual treat.

Even before your meal is served, you'll feel far removed with Silk boasting a much different dining environment than elsewhere on the Island.

There are darkly-stained bamboo place mats and mustard napkins laid out on each table. Even the menu jacket itself is a piece de resistance in burnt orange Thai silk.

Inside there are pages of tantalising morsels to choose from, including glass noodle salad (Yum Wun Sen), spicy Thai curries, Thai pumpkin custard and Kaow Niaw Namuang, or sweet sticky rice with a mango roll and chocolate dip.

On hand to bring the tastes of Thailand to Bermuda are a team of all Asian chefs, including two Thai chefs from the Shangri-la hotel in Bangkok. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, midday diners will be able to choose from a menu of one-platter meals while a special tasters menu will be available in the evening.

SILK has plans to have a full bar but yesterday was waiting for final approval from the liquor licensing authority.