Landfall Restaurant - on the North Shore in Hamilton Parish - has been taken under the wing of well-known Bermuda chef Fred Ming.

Mr. Ming - lecturer at the Bermuda College for more than 28 years and noted for his knowledge of Bermuda cuisine - has in recent weeks come on board as Landfall's executive chef and consultant.

Mr. Ming took over after French chef Paul Duclos left Landfall, a recent posting, to return to his previous position as executive chef - and now, owner - of Le Figaro in Hamilton.

Mr. Ming, speaking to The Royal Gazette, said the focus of Landfall's cuisine will be Bermuda specialities with "lots of indigenous items on the menu, and incorporating fresh foods as they are available - such as Rockfish in an orange sauce, and Bermuda lobster, fish chowder, cassava cake, fresh carrot soup..."

Mr. Ming said there are very few restaurants here which specialise in Bermuda food.

With a focus on Bermuda cuisine, the restaurant hopes to target local clientele, but also to offer Island visitors a spot to experience local cuisine.

Mr. Ming underscored that the menu will be changing according to the season, and availability of fresh food. "We are not locked in to a set menu," he said.

Mr. Ming said the restaurant will put customers first and focus on repeat customers, who he hopes will become "friends; like a partnership".

Landfall owner Ruth Paynter - who also owns Clear View suites and villas - has been running the restaurant over the last three years and said Mr. Ming will be overseeing the operation - on a consulting basis - including working with the restaurant's two full-time chefs, who are from Bangladesh, on food quality and presentation.

The restaurant is located in the former home of artist Donald Kirkpatrick, with views of the open ocean.

With seating for up to 175 people, maitre d' Melvin Alick said the facility can accommodate groups and private dining, as well as families and couples.

The restaurant is currently open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but Mr. Alick said management is looking at changing operation hours; a reflection on economic woes.

Mr. Alick said: "like everyone else, with the pending economic threat, we are looking at our hours of operation".

Mr. Alick added, however , that the facility, with parties and group business, has in the last few weeks increased its business.

When asked what he could attribute business growth to, Mr. Alick said: "The word is getting out, although we have not yet aggressively advertised. But, people are happy with the ambience and the food. And Mr. Ming, with all of his expertise, is an added bonus."

Mr. Ming is said to be looking at every segment of the operation from designing a new menu, food presentation, to training dining room staff.

Landfall re-opened in May of this year, after having been closed from November for renovations.

In addition to dining, Landfall's guests can also see the work of local artist Otto Trott, whose paintings hang throughout the restaurant. Mr. Trott is the owner's son-in-law.