More than 100 dignitaries, residents and guests ate, drank and toasted to the success of Billfish Grill at Palm Cay last week, celebrating the opening of the first new upscale restaurant in New Providence in many years.
For many, it was an opportunity to sample the delicacies prepared by Chef Anthony Carey, who cooked his way halfway round the world before returning to Nassau to create a menu under the watchful direction of Billfish Grill partners restaurateur Peter Rounce and fresh food culinary specialist Lise Watson-Russell, who built her reputation with original dishes at Chives, Blake Road. The food was a feast – stations with lamb curry, shrimp curry, a traditional turkey and stuffing station, another with Singapore noodles prepared before your eyes, an array of appetizers, cheeses, desserts, conch salad sippers and a dozen taste-teasers, a gastronomical challenge that guests were determined to meet.
And for all those who believe that dining together is the bond that unites, the adage took an unusual twist, playing out in real life with top representatives from the PLP, FNM and DNA at one place at one time, chatting, soaking in the sights of the broad stretch of beach that runs 1,200 feet from restaurant to end of the development’s waterfront townhomes on Starfish Isle.
Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin, Minister of State for Investments Khaalis Rolle, Leader of the opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis, FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner, MP for St. Anne’s Hubert Chipman, Leader of the DNA Branville McCartney came to celebrate the opening and if at times the conversation got almost as hot as the tangiest curry, for the most part it was almost just another day at the office with familiar colleagues.
To a person, though, the people in high-ranking posts in the country were in agreement about Palm Cay.
“I had no idea this was so beautiful, it feels like being on a Family Island,” said one of the Cabinet ministers. Compliments about the development made the rounds along with the flowing wine and spirits. As the sun began to dip, someone noticed that the steel drummer was playing Beethoven’s Fur Elise.
“We are especially proud that we were able to create this casual but sophisticated atmosphere using all Bahamian talent,” said Rounce. “The interior décor was designed by Codeana, the outdoor furnishings, including the large wicker bird’s nest that can seat up to a dozen people all came from Oasis Chic Living with everything custom-made to Codeana’s designs. Every member of staff is Bahamian.”
With Indoor and al fresco seating, the restaurant that seats 126 features a private reception area on the second level for parties and events. Billfish Grill is open by reservation from 2 pm Tuesday through Sunday with a full menu Thursday – Sunday and a limited menu the rest of the week. Menu, hours and reservations information is available at www.billfishgrill.com
Billfish Grill is the latest promise delivered in the nearly 70-acre active family community with a 194-slip, full-service marina, swimming pools, tennis, docks, gazebo, harbourmaster’s office and services and an array of residential choices – condominiums, garden and beachfront townhomes and single family properties. Located on the southeastern coast of New Providence, Palm Cay has become one of the decade’s major success stories, attracting second homeowners and locals with right pricing, on-time construction and an array of amenities.
