Mickey's Bistro is shedding its image as a summer beach side location and will be open for the duration of the winter season as an alternative venue for alfresco dining.

"We are keeping Mickey's open during the winter for first time since we opened because we always felt that as an Island, there was potential for outdoor dining in Bermuda during the winter months," said Gioacchino Di Meglio, director of Mickey's operator MEF Ltd.

Mr. Di Meglio said the restaurant is now a secure location with a better building infrastructure, enhanced with retractable roofs and sliding partitions, equipped to deal with inclement weather conditions.

Mickey's opened in 1995 and has been severely damaged by three large scale hurricanes, including Hurricane Fabian in 2003 which forced the closure of Mickey's for an extended period.

Each time the restaurant, part of the Lido Dining And Entertainment Complex, including Lido Restaurant, The Deep Nightclub and Sea Breeze Cafe, was rebuilt after considerable investment.

"Its a risky venture to have a restaurant on a beachside location but we believe in offering outdoor dining and entertainment.

"Mickey's is a beautiful beach side location and if we can attract the clients we are looking for, they can bring a sweater and enjoy the sand and sea and be close to nature."

Lido Complex general manager Ennio Lucarni said Mickey's will operate as a winter establishment equipped with fireplaces and covered open air seating to offer an alternative venue for locals and visitors.

"We are planning to use the venue for Christmas parties, New Year's Eve parties, weddings and other events."

Mickey's will be closing on October 30 and will reopen for the winter season from November 2 until April with a new lunch menu and dinner menu featuring exclusively Thai and Indian cuisine.

Mr. Di Meglio said the restaurant wishes to continue its appeal as a family restaurant while attracting younger clients looking for a selection of good quality food and service.

He spent a two month vacation in Thailand and Rajasthan in northern India, getting an insight into Asian food and culture.

"We think Indian and Thai food is quite marketable in Bermuda amongst locals and expats. We think we have enough chefs from India to have the experience and know how to make this cuisine."

Mr. Lucarni said the aim of being open during the winter is to have year around entertainment and the outdoor terrace adjacent to The Deep Nightclub is designed to meet the demand for indoor and outdoor entertainment.

"One project underway is the reconstruction of the gazebo at Sea Breeze to be completed in March, the last phase of the reconstruction from after Hurricane Fabian."