With limestone trimmed walls, Gombey hats and fish chowder on the menu, Bermudian Khalid Wasi opened his new restaurant in Halifax, Canada, with the help of Premier Ewart Brown and his wife Wanda.

On Saturday night Bermudian students in the area as well as local fans of the Island helped Mr. Wasi and his partner Kelly Dow, from Nova Scotia, with the "soft opening" of the restaurant.

Located on Quinpool Road and called Rock Island Cafe, it is an eatery that Dr. Brown said he would definitely recommend.

"I was very impressed with Rock Island Café — the look, the feel, the food. I'm glad he was able to get it ready in time for us to give it a try. I definitely will recommend it when I get back home," he said.

Dr. Brown was in Halifax at the time for talks with leaders in the Nova Scotia government to discuss strengthening cultural and business ties.

Mr. Wasi became comfortable in the city while putting four of his children through university in the area. Yesterday he said he hoped to bring a little bit of Bermuda to the students studying there.

"The great hope for the restaurant is to provide a sense of nostalgia for the Bermudian students in Halifax and also give the people of Nova Scotia a place to experience Bermuda culture," he added.