A taste of the East will be coming to town when Wok Express launches its second outlet in North Street next week.

The popular eatery, which has proved to be a big hit since opening its doors on Middle Road, Southampton two years ago, will double as a restaurant and take-out offering everything from Chinese and sushi to Middle Eastern cuisine.

The business, which is run by co-owners Gilles Cailliere, Donna Batista and Alex Guilas, will also be screening a number of live sporting events on its LCD projector, including the World Cup in June, as well as staging karaoke evenings in the future.

Mr. Guilas, who started his career in Bermuda at the Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel in Tucker's Town in 1986, before going to work at the Sonesta Beach Resort, and several of the top restaurants and sushi bars across the Island, said they decided to expand their mini empire due to public demand and taking on the vacant site of the former Caribbean Queen and Bombay Palace was the perfect opportunity to tap into the big residential and business market at that end of town.

"We had a very good response from the community about how good our food was and for the friendly and timely service that we offer," he said.

"So we will be opening this sit-down restaurant in mid-April with a focus on the very best food and friendly service.

"We are going to offer a little bit of everything including Chinese, sushi, wraps, burgers, falafels and daily specials, as well as smoothies, milkshakes and cappuccinos."

Mr. Calliere, who has been working in the Island's hotel and restaurant trade for the past 23 years, said they approached the owner of the building about taking on the concern and completely gutted and refurbished the place.

And he is confident that the new restaurant will prove to be a success through its diverse menu choice, like its original branch in Southampton, which was only advertised on Emoo and by word of mouth, with the House of India next door a prime example of what can be achieved with its big following.

Mr. Calliere said that Wok Express was taking on new staff, including chefs, waiters and cashiers, to run the restaurant, and was upbeat about setting up a new enterprise during the current economic downturn.

"Some people may think it is a bit strange to be opening up during an economic downturn, but at the end of the day they are always going to need to eat, and we fully believe in ourselves and what we are doing," he said.

The restaurant will be open Mondays to Saturdays between 7.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. for breakfast, 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. for lunch, and 5.30 p.m. to 9.45 p.m. for dinner. Take-out is available all day.

With seating capacity for 30 people, the restaurant also caters for private parties and functions, and plans to open its terrace in the summer.

For more information about Wok Express contact 293-9999 or to see the menu visit www.wokexpress.bm