Ascots restaurant is in the Royal Palms hotel in Bermuda's capital, Hamilton, though the businesses are separate. The smart dining room feels bright and open, with plenty of space between tables, and is adjacent to a cute garden and pool.
The menu focuses on European and Bermudian cuisine, evenly split between seafood and meat dishes, and with a good selection of salads and soups. Everything we ate was excellent—exquisitely plated, cooked to perfection, and with balanced, rich flavors. Particular shout outs go to the chicken liver paté, the lamb and lump crab, the beef tenderloin, and the crème brûlée.
There's an extensive wine list—and by extensive, I mean you really should order a cocktail to sip while you peruse it. Luckily, the staff are happy to provide reasonable suggestions. In fact, the staff are as good as the food—friendly and funny while remaining professional, with just the right amount of fussing.
Expect to drop a lot of money here—and expect to be glad that you did. Note that reservations are recommended, and you'll need to dress to impress. Open Mon–Fri 12:00–2:30 p.m. for lunch, and Mon–Sat 6:30–10:00 p.m. for dinner; closed on Sundays.
