Nicholas Brown, the owner of San Giorgio Restaurant on Water Street, St. George's, meets tourists and locals everyday as they flock to his tasteful Italian eatery by the sea.

This popular little spot seats about 70 people inside and outdoors as tourists and locals enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Inside the soft textured walls of yellow and orange, ceiling fans and white wrought iron tables lend a sweet ambience.

There is a colourful view from the outdoor patio overlooking St. George's Harbour and the evening presents quite a romantic and intimate setting. Soft breezes accompany Al Fresco dining on the waterfront terrace.

"When I was about 21, I started cooking because I wanted to be a chef from a young boy. I attended the Hotel College at Stonington. After that I jumped into this work and here I have been for ten years.

"I love to see people enjoying themselves. We have lots of tourists as well as many local regulars. Sometimes we have a lot of tourists who come from Dockyard or Hamilton and they just like to come and drink wine or cocktails, but I don't encourage that. We are a restaurant and we thrive on serving delicious food," Mr. Brown said.

They have some of the best calamari fritti on the island and it is tender, crispy deep fried with a chipotie pepper marinara sauce.

Fresh and inviting are the many salads such as their Caesar made with their own dressings, garlic croutons and fresh parmesan or their Fruitti Di Mare, which is a seafood salad with mixed greens and a lemon and olive oil dressing.

"We make our salad dressings and customers seem to truly enjoy them," Mr. Brown said.

If you feel like something different you might try "Chang Mai Noodles" for $18.50. This is prepared with northern Thai soup noodles with jumbo shrimp, in a spicy aromatic red curry and coconut sauce. Their head chef is Chinese Canadian and several dishes reflect a Chinese influence.

Their delicious nine-inch pizzas are prepared to order and are very popular. The pasta choices are superb with Lasagne Al Forno, Linguine Pescatore with baby clams, mussels, shrimps and scallops in a creamy tomato sauce, cannelloni, spaghetti and ravioli.

Desserts are always divine as they offer Tiramisu, ice cream from Bailey's and a daily selection of Chef's home-made deserts listed on the chalkboard daily. The coffee is ground especially for them by Rock Island Coffee and will impress any coffee lover.

"My greatest challenge is maintaining staff as this is hard work. I have a great crew together now who are very dedicated and hard working. The margins are fine as we are usually over staffed compared to most places that are often understaffed."

Romantics adore San Giorgio as it is intimate and quiet with a creative menu and excellent service.

Reservations are recommended. Their hours are 11:30 to 3 p.m. and dinner is from 6:30 to 10 p.m.