A taste of the east will be coming to St. George's when a new sushi restaurant opens today.

Polaris bar and restaurant, which was launched by Abdul and Carolann Amjath, and business partner Henry Ascento in December 2008, will relaunch as a sushi restaurant offering everything from nigiris, makis and sashimis to special rolls and salads.

The restaurant, which is based at St. George's Dinghy & Sports Club on Cut Road providing a panoramic view of the harbour, will continue to offer Bermudian dishes, including freshly caught lobsters and local fish. But Mr. Amjath is aiming to fill a niche in the market for sushi in the East End based on demand with a unique twist on that particular cuisine.

"Business was good last year but this year was a little bit slow and that is the reason we were planning to do some changes," he said.

"We thought there are too many restaurants that are serving the same food so we wanted to do something different. And because there are no sushi restaurants in the East End we wanted to provide good quality food at a reasonable price."

The sushi will be prepared by head chef Rina Tecson, a Filipino with three years experience of working at the Renaissance Dubai Hotel and and six months at Excapade Sushi Restaurant in Brunei, who believes her cuisine - which can be hand picked - will set itself apart from the competition.

Mr. Amjath and Ms Tecson run the restaurant along with Bermudian waitress Rachel Robinson.

The sushi menu is supplemented with traditional sake and green tea.

The location is one of the key selling points with patrons able to dine outside on the terrace and listen to live music and entertainment, while the businessman can take advantage of the facilities for holding seminars and meetings and can use the free Wi-Fi access available to all diners.

The bar and restaurant, which comprises a see-through satellite kitchen so customers can see their food being prepared while they wait, can accommodate 45 people, and is open for birthday and private parties, weddings and social functions with capacity for up to 80 guests.

It also caters to those dining out with packed lunches, with collection from the dock, especially useful for boaters looking to pick up a quick snack.

A movie night will be held every Thursday, with plans for a live band on Saturdays between 8 p.m. and 12 a.m.

The new sushi restaurant is open from Wednesday to Monday for lunch and dinner between 11 a.m. and 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

One child under six per family eats for free on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, while there is also a five percent discount on the sushi menu on those days.

Parking is available on site.

To make a booking or order contact 747-0786, email amjath@gms.bm or visit the website at www.polarisrestaurant.com