With nearly 60 employees, Sapodilla Estate, a fine dining restaurant located in western New Providence, recently opened up to rave reviews.
Since opening its doors officially on December 27, the restaurant's General Manager Giorgio Bombino said it has received a number of positive comments via social media from customers.
"At Sapodilla Estate, we seek to give our customers an experience that's never been had in The Bahamas before. From the entrance to the moment that you sit at the table, we have truly created a unique experience," he said.
Set back off West Bay Street, just east of Caves Heights, the restaurant offers a menu that includes Italian dishes with a touch of French and Bahamian flavor, and offers a variety of wines.
Sapodilla Estate also features indoor and outdoor elements, including individual cabanas located in the garden area in which diners can choose to eat with just two to a private table. The setting is designed to allow customers to appreciate the natural surroundings.
The property features wetlands, including sights of wildlife. In addition to the dining, Sapodilla Estate plans to host weddings and other events.
"Our goal is to put Sapodilla on the map because we are going to give you the best service. We have a bridal cottage and we host weddings. And in the restaurant, many of the items that we cook are in fact finished on the table," according to Bombino.
Back in July, the restaurant's owner, Elaine Pinder, founder of Bamboo Shack, told Guardian Business that it is the culmination of a four-year project.
At the time, over 1,000 applications were reportedly submitted for positions at the restaurant after an advertisement was placed in local newspapers.
The upscale restaurant, formerly residential property, had undergone major renovations to ensure that the transformation was able to take place. Pinder called it a "labor of love".
"It's based in my old home which I moved out of. I put a whole roof and a whole new structure over everything, I extended the perimeter and enclosed that," she revealed.
"I said to myself, 'Let me make my contribution to tourism'. The building is sort of hidden away from the street, so I think when it opens people are going to be quite surprised."
Bombino said that between security staff and restaurant employees, the establishment now has around 60 employees.
Sapodilla Estate is opened Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

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