New restaurant Tempest is aiming to make waves in St George’s.

Tempest — run by the team who own the successful Mad Hatters in Hamilton — opened its doors in the historic former Carriage House restaurant building this month.

And general manager Paolo Odoli said his team planned to provide “French bistro-style food with good, honest, fresh ingredients.”

Mr Odoli said the restaurant — in the building occupied by the Carriage House restaurant for nearly 30 years until it closed in 2009 — would contribute to the regeneration of the Old Towne and provide more choice for diners.

“What we’re contributing towards is a variety of quality places to eat in St George’s — I’d never badmouth existing restaurants. They have their own style and take on food and beverage,” he said.

“We’re trying to bring in an added dynamic. We don’t expect people to come here and eat seven days a week, but we want them to come to St George’s and enjoy themselves and we’re one of the choices.”

Mr Odoli said that the new venture would also provide more choice for visitors the World Heritage Centre town.

He added: “We’re not looking to box ourselves in as strictly a tourist spot or a typical local spot.

“We want to have something for everyone. And the building has not just local but international interest as well.

“We want people in the far west of the Island to drive down to St George’s to have a great meal and feel it’s worth it.”

The kitchen is run by Chris Paca, formerly of Mad Hatters, with Brian Ritchens as sous chef, and employs nine full-time staff, with part-timers expected to be taken on as trade increases.

Mr Odoli said the restaurant was also a vote of confidence in the future of St George’s — which has suffered in recent years from a lack of hotels and cruise ships.

He added: “We believe there are enough people who know good food and restaurants in the immediate vicinity as well as in neighbouring parishes who will come down and support us — all we have to do is deliver on our promise.”

Mr Odoli said the restaurant deliberately got off to a low-key start, opening for lunch only and catering to around 30-40 diners.

But he noted that the team were building up to handle the capacity of 80-85 people and were now open at night for dinner as well — as well as planning outdoor dining along the edge of St George’s Harbour.

Mr Odoli said: “The building is so historical — it provides a theme synonymous with old world charm.

“In terms of decor and architecture, it’s the old Carriage House — bricks, wood and a warm atmosphere, set against the backdrop of St George’s Harbour. It’s beautiful.”

The building, once owned by the British military and used as warehousing, was occupied by Polaris at the Carriage House until earlier this year after the original restaurant closed as a result of the recession.