Acclaimed Chef Michael White Opens Italian Fine Dining Restaurant In The Bahamas

Atlantis, a luxurious resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, the resort decided to enhance its already impressive dining options with a new addition. Joining Atlantis' culinary collection — which includes restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chefs José Andrés and Nobu Matsuhisa — is Paranza, an Italian fine dining concept by the acclaimed chef Michael White. White has garnered a total of six coveted Michelin stars for his work at esteemed New York City restaurants.

Paranza opened its doors in August 2023, and was immediately hailed as a milestone achievement for Atlantis. It is now the only resort in the Caribbean to feature a trio of chefs who have earned Michelin stars at some point in their careers. This is also a significant venture for White, who showcases his mastery of Italian cuisine — highlighted by house-made pastas, regional favorites, and fresh local seafood — in the beautifully designed restaurant at The Cove, Atlantis' exclusive all-suite getaway.

"Paranza at Atlantis Paradise Island is the most important opening in my culinary career since Marea," White noted in a press release. "Paranza offers an opportunity for me to express my passion for the delicate intricacies of coastal Italian cuisine while exploring new flavors and tastes of the region. Expanding into the Bahamas and becoming part of the culinary landscape of Atlantis Paradise Island is simply an opportunity of a lifetime."

Atlantis Paradise Island offers a stunning backdrop for White's newest venture. Designed by Jeffrey Beers International, Paranza boasts a private dining room, complete with custom elements such as a wall of red wines and seashell-shaped lighting fixtures. The restaurant also features a wooden pergola-shaded outdoor patio, which provides views of the resort's Royal Towers. Meanwhile, the adjacent main dining area sets itself apart with a color palette that fuses earthy tones with shades of Caribbean blue.

However, the most satisfying elements of Paranza — named after the Italian word for a small fishing boat — are found, naturally, on chef Michael White's menu. The coastal Italian-influenced bill of fare offers an array of seafood options, featuring dishes with amberjack, octopus, red snapper, shrimp, squid, and swordfish. For instance, White's signature Scampi dish pairs langoustine with fennel, lemon confit, and oscietra caviar. Also notable is the Pesce Spada, a grilled swordfish entrée accompanied by zucchini, salsa pepe uva, and Sicilian caponata.

Meat aficionados will be gratified to find truffled beef tartare on the antipasti menu, along with main dishes like the Tagliata, a skirt steak served with chiodini mushrooms, red wine sugo, and potato tortino. The restaurant, one of 21 at Atlantis, is now open for dinner.