The hotly anticipated Aqua restaurant at Ariel Sands is now officially open for business.

The former Caliban's restaurant has been completely renovated and is the third Bermuda restaurant to be opened by Italian partner Claudio Vigilante and Bermudian partner Deborah Gillet.

Aqua has been open for a few weeks for reservations only and for hotel guests and received rave reviews, but phase one - the indoor dining area - is now finished and phase two - the outside dining area - is expected to be finished by the end of the month in time for the summer season.

Speaking with The Royal Gazette, Mr. Vigilante and Ms Gillet explained that the restaurant had been completely renovated and a new enlarged deck added, and although capacity was 120 people, Mr. Vigilante said the redesign had been done to create a more cosy atmosphere.

The interior space has been redesigned and a separate dinning room that can cater up to 80 people has been created.

When Mr. Vigilante and Ms Gillet were approached to take over the old Caliban's restaurant they were at first dismissive, but on inspection of the site realised the potential.

“We have been in the business a while and we could see the finished product before we started,” said Mr. Vigilante.

Of the three restaurants Mr. Vigilante and Ms Gillet have opened, Aqua is the largest, and offers the capacity to hold functions such as weddings and parties.

The three different restaurants have different focuses, Fresco's in Hamilton is a cosy wine bar and restaurant, Fresco's Express, also in Hamilton, caters to the quick lunch and family meals, while Aqua is more focussed on functions and hotel entertaining.

Keeping up with global trends, Mr. Vigilante says that trendy food these days is very much more global, and Aqua's menu blends Italian, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Asian and South American culinary styles. The partners also said they wanted to keep the same criteria as the other restaurants, namely: “good food, good service, and good value.”

Aqua's Australian executive chef Troy Smith has spent the last decade working at some of the top restaurants in the world, including four and a half years on Virgin's Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.

He was also one of the featured chefs on Discovery Channel's, “Great Chefs of the World”, and has been featured in Gourmet Magazine.

Although Ariel Sands part owner Michael Douglas is yet to have lunch at the restaurant, Mr. Vigilante says he is very happy with the new look and that his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones has enjoyed lunch there. Ms Gillet also said that actor Dan Ackroyd graced the restaurant recently.

Ms Gillet said that the best comment they had was from one of the resort's housekeepers of 35 years who said: “I have never seen this place look so good.” Mr. Vigilante says the menu is set to change often to keep the restaurant fresh, and says that those who want to come and enjoy the Aqua experience should make a reservation by calling 236 2332.