For whose who like the idea of kicking back late in the evening, perhaps with a special someone, quaffing a fine bottle of wine, munching on tapas and other finger food, and listening to some of Bermuda?s best musicians play contemporary jazz, there?s good news ahead.

From March 3 the Mediterraneo bistro, on the corner of Parliament and Church Streets, will be the scene of Hamilton?s newest attraction: live music in a special setting, with food available until 1 a.m., candlelight, and the opportunity to dance when the mood strikes.

The permanent attraction will be repeated each Friday and Saturday evening thereafter, beginning at 10.30 p.m.

The concept arose from what might be called a meeting of the minds.

Well-known Bermudian professional musician Howard Rego was thinking of just such a set-up, and while passing Mediterraneo one day decided to pop in and run it past the owners.

At the same time, professional chef Edmund Smith was thinking along similar lines to add an extra dimension to the bistro he co-owns with Angelo Armano.

It didn?t take long for the Rego-Smith combo to reach consensus, and both men are clearly enthusiastic about the upcoming attraction featuring live music.

?In talking to Howard, and loving jazz myself, I realised that kind of music would suit this place perfectly,? Mr. Smith said. ?While the band is playing we will have a tapas menu, and the kitchen will be open until 1 a.m. In the Mediterranean they eat late, and music is hand-in-hand with that, so why not bring it to Bermuda and create something special?

?We feel we can fill a void, and the quality is going to be there.?

In terms of the music, Mr. Rego said that the word ?jazz? had many connotations, and his group will be playing ?a variety of straight-ahead jazz and jazz-funk oriented music? ? or, to put it another way, ?sophisticated music for listening and dancing in comfortable surroundings?.

?Downbeat?, as the weekly musical nights will be known, will feature some of Bermuda?s best musical talent. Initially, it will be drawn from the following ?core musicians?: Howard Rego (drums), James Richardson (piano), Toni Bari (keyboards), Stan Gilbert (bass), Milt Robinson (guitar) and Dayton Wharton (guitar).

?To start with, a trio of these players will provide the nucleus of the band,? Mr. Rego said. ?As the word spreads and the audience grows the band will be augmented regularly with horn players, singers and surprise artists from here and overseas.

?Every evening will be different ? no ?lounge music? here, and listeners won?t be blasted out of their seats with loud disco and lights either?.

For those who attended the successful ?MusicQuest? evenings at the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society?s Daylesford headquarters, the ?Downbeat? format will offer a similar standard of music and musicians.

?Listeners will be assured of a wonderful offering of a great variety of musical genres, from Latin rhythms, popular, jazz and swing standards, to original material ? all with a flair and professionalism that these musicians are proud of,? Mr. Rego said.

Of the overall concept, Mr. Smith said: ?It is a marriage of real Mediterranean bistro and jazz, and what is especially nice is that there will now be a venue for resident musicians to play to a Bermuda audience.? Mr. Smith said.

In addition to the special late-night menus on Fridays and Saturdays, Mediterraneo offers the following Monday to Friday: lunch 12 noon to 2.30 p.m., and early-bird specials 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The ? la carte menu is served from 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Mr. Smith, who oversees the kitchen, describes the bistro?s food style as ?easy dining ? simple, rustic, country? and notes that the menu changes regularly.