Went past and looked into BISTRO J back in Chancery Lane during the first week in July...and it didn't appear to be anywhere near to being complete then...or for some time.

It's simply hearsay...but I spoke to a few people during this same visit...and I got the impression that because of the absence of cruise ships and the sharp drop-off of tourists in downtown Hamilton during the 'season', that both PORT O' CALL and BISTRO J might not re-open at all. None of this is in any way definitive. The people I spoke with were mostly bartenders and servers at other Hamilton establishments...and none knew anything for certain.

Yeah a lot of stuff is said 'on the street' but I find that hard to believe. Neither spot relied a whole lot on the cruise ships. Port O' Call in particular made a killing off of business people. The fact they would even choose to begin a major renovation during 'high season' shows that they don't rely on cruise passengers much. They don't have an 'offseason' and are consistently busy all year around.

From what I'm hearing they are going to be bigger and better than ever. But we'll have to wait and see....

>>>Port O' Call in particular made a killing off of business people<<<

You'll be surprised by downtown Hamilton without the cruise ships. Local business people still turn out for lunch...and may stop after work for a drink or two with friends...but for the most part...they tend to go home for dinner. Friday and Saturday nights are busier...but not nearly as busy as they used to be.

This past July we '..walked in..' to most downtown Hamilton restaurants for dinners (Bouchée's, Portofino's, Brasserie Bolero, Barracuda Grill) WITHOUT any reservations...and seldom had to wait more than a couple of minutes (no more) for a table to be set-up for us. On Wednesday, HARBOUR NIGHT, we made a reservation for La Trattoria...but a few groups that just 'walked in' cold, without reservations, got tables within a few minutes. Downtown Hamilton on Sunday nights, without cruise ships in town were always sorta' quiet...but these days, downtown Hamilton, after 9 PM is a '..ghost town..'. We went into the Hog Penny at 7:30 on Sunday...and there were two patrons at the bar, three tables occupied, with six diners...including us. When we left at 9 PM...the two guys were still at the bar...and two more people had come in for dinner...but that was it....one occupied table at the Hog Penny at 9 PM on a Sunday night.

Another aspect of downtown Hamilton that may take some getting used to is the sense of an active '..construction zone..'---with climbing cranes (neo-historic 'birds-of-prey') dominating the skyline, construction barriers/tunnels; semis off-loading heavy construction materials; hard-hats, safety glasses and steel-capped work boots mixing with sun glasses, Bermuda shorts amd sandals. I suppose the 'good news' is that at least when you look out over the harbour, there aren't row upon row of steel-shrouded 'portholes' blocking the view. Hamilton is very much a 'work-in-progress' (ordinarily just an idle expression)...and will remain so for several/many years to come. Hamilton is well on it's way toward transforming its nature from a quaint, capital city....to a modern commercial/business center. Their will certainly be architectural 'decoration' paying some tribute to the past...but it will be difficult to reconcile this with the obvious modernity of multi-story, office buildings.

During most weekdays, Front Street is no longer shopping-bag-toting, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Foot traffic increases a bit between 11:30-1:30, when the local work force goes out to lunch...but getting from one end of Front Street to the other no longer requires navigating one's way through an human obstacle course. You'll probably find yourself spending less time in downtown Hamilton...simply because there's much less in downtown Hamilton for visitors to spend time on.

It is sad to be witness to history being swept aside...but the simple necessity of the transformation has been inevitable for years. One might've hoped that Bermuda could find some sort of compromise---a '..commercial development zone..' a bit away from the 'historic' harbourfront...but when push comes down to shove, a 'harbourfront' is by its nature a 'commercial zone'. So instead of catering to one '..imdustry..'--tourism; Hamilton will now cater to another--international financial services. S__tuff happens.

I was somewhat shocked last visit but the "construction zone" feeling on Front Street. Is this balanced by new energy at the Dockyard and might St. George be revitalized by the cruisers and their donations to those local shops/restaurants? I personally find most change is hard and more so when you are emotionally connected to something as we all are to the Rock.

By the way,

What did you think of Bouchee and Bolero? These are two new entries since '06. We have settled on Cafe Cairo, Greg's Steakhouse (on Jazz Thursday), The Pickled Onion and Rustico's in Flatts and the Lighthouse. Our apartment is very close to Hamilton and so dinners there would be most convenient. Two more night to fill - Such wonderful problems.

>>>What did you think of Bouchee and Bolero?<<<

We enjoyed our meals at both BOUCHÉE's and BRASSERIE BOLERO. I've had a momentary 'brain freeze' on what we ordered at Bolero...but at Bouchée's I had a lamb tenderlion dish that was very tasty...and my wife ordered from the evening's prix fix and had a boeuf bourguignon dish that she enjoyed. A shared chocolate lava cake for dessert pleasant finish.

It's worth noting that we dined at Bouchée's later (8:30 PM) mid-week and there were only three(3) other tables occupied during our visit.

>>>Cafe Cairo<<<

By the way...why is CAFE CAIRO a priority ?? I know that it's a relatively popular spot for club-life later in the evenings....but I can't recall ever hearing anyone wax rhapsodic--or even mention it for that matter--for the food.

For the fixin's of a great take-out '..picnic supper..' try the Prepared Foods & Deli section of MILES MARKET (down the 'alley' btwn: Waterloo House & Waterfront).

My husband and I ate here last visit. We enjoy middle eastern/greek food and they do it very well.

Certainly, the atmosphere is unique and sitting outside without the pub crowd was nice as well. As our first night is a Saturday, and our sons are 21 and 23, I thought this would steer them towards the late night clubs that several of the restaurants seem to become later in the evening.