Bermudiana Road was famous for the Bermudiana Hotel and The Club — a night spot from the distant past.

But today the street hosts an eclectic range of nightspots and restaurants to suit almost any taste, now added to this Claudio Vigilante who is about to open Opus.

Opus is intended to be open for the early morning coffee drinking public and to the late night wine connoisseur. Ultimately, the space will function as a café, a lunch bar and an evening lounge for tapas, desserts, interesting cocktails and fine wines.

"In the morning people can get coffees, cappuccinos, frappuccinos and baked goods such as muffins and pastries," Mr. Vigilante said.

"Then at lunch we will offer salads and wraps ¿ keeping it light. Then from four to five o'clock, it will turn into a cocktail lounge.

"The cocktail lounge will have a selection of tapas ¿ mostly cold, like olives, feta cheese, hummus and the like.

"Other than that there will be a selection of cocktails, beers, wines and champagne."

Mr. Vigilante believes that his new space will offer patrons somewhere a little less intense than other venues.

"It will be relaxed and offer another atmosphere," he said.

"It will have nice metro music, but not too loud, so that you can still have a conversation. I want it to have a warm ambience where people can come in and talk after dinner.

"It is somewhere that is nice and sophisticated ¿ chic."

The outside will be covered for those who need to exit for nicotine or fresh air. "The covers are coming next week."

The interior design was done by an Italian company. The décor contrasts from the darkest wood ¿ like ebony, to sterling white washed walls.

The tables rise for breakfast and lunch, and the fall for tapas, desserts and cocktails in the evening, explained Mr. Vigilante.

When asked why did he decide to open another establishment, he said: "I like the idea of doing something different in Bermuda.

"Something fresh, I had the first wine bar and this will be the first real cocktail lounge. I like it because it is small enough to be cosy, while big enough to not feel cramped."

He began working on the Opus project in January and although still awaiting some of the artwork, the team is ready to serve.

The doors open like that of a Paris bistro, which he says offers more for an open plan.

"But because of the sunshine and private parties, we have the curtains," he said.

A dessert fridge will be awaiting those that want high-quality delectable desserts.

"Maybe people have dinner earlier and they just want a coffee and dessert, specialist coffees with liquors ¿ we want to provide a place for them."

Opus opened with a private reception last night and will open to regular customers in the evening tonight, with full services starting tomorrow morning.