Is Bermuda ready for a $40 burger from cows reared on beer?

The owners of the Barracuda Grill believe so.

They are offering a concoction combing exotic Kobe Beef and Fois Gras which came on the menu yesterday.

The style of beef originates from Japan with the cows traditionally given beer to drink in the summer months to increase their appetite while also being massaged with sake, according to president of Barracuda Grill, Hogpenny and Pickled Onion restaurants, Philip Barnett.

However, he says the American version of the beef they are importing may not have been given booze in its diet.

Asked how animal rights campaigners would take to the idea, he said it was all part of the myth. ?I don?t think anybody is going to say anything about it. Beef is beef is beef.?

He said cows were like other mammals in that alcohol improved their appetite by getting the digestive juices flowing while the sake is massaged into them to relax them.

Nor will Fois Gras, which is goose liver from force-fed geese, please the vegetarian lobby but the restaurant is by no means alone in serving the delicacy.

But Mr. Barnett said supermarket chicken was often from force-fed animals kept in coops.

So if people can stomach the rearing methods can they live with the prices?

?We?ll find out,? said Mr. Barnett.

He said regular customers had expressed an interest although he conceded he didn?t expect to sell hundreds but instead the dish will be made to order.

According to the restaurant?s email advertisement, top cuts of Kobe are known to reach upwards of $100 per pound. The exclusive burger will be seasoned with Bermuda onion, pan seared with the fois gras while port wine and summer truffle shavings figure in the ingredients.

Mr. Barnett said: ?Is Bermuda ready for the $40 burger? If it is, we would like to the the first to offer it.?

Barracuda also claims to be the BermuBarracuda also claims to be Bermuda?s first entirely non-smoking restaurant and bar.

The circular said: ?After extensive chats with our regular clientele, and after asking all our reservations for their smoking preference over the last six months.

?The Barracuda Grill has chosen to become the first non-smoking restaurant and bar in Bermuda.

?By offering this to our guests we are providing a comfortable environment for both our diners and our lounge/bar patrons alike.?

Bermuda Advocates for Non-Smoking chairwoman Joy Pimental said there were a growing number of restaurants that were smoke free. Asked if it was the first smoke-free bar and restaurant she said: ?It depends how you defined it but they are certainly one of the first. It is very positive ? I am thrilled their bar and restaurant is smoke-free.?