by Linda Lang | Jun 28, 2015 | À la Carte
One&Only Palmilla, one of Cabo’s finest luxury resorts, recently reopened with totally-refurbished guest rooms, new adult outdoor lounging areas, new One&Only Spa and Fitness Center, and SEARED ̶ a new steakhouse created with Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
A long-time fave of celebs and jet setters, this lavish hideaway delivers refined tranquility amid colorful gardens fragrant with tropical flowers bordering gentle pathways leading to the sea. Here on the tip of the Baja Peninsula where the Pacific merges with the Sea of Cortez and the mountainous desert meets the sea, you are warmly embraced by the ambiance of Old Mexico’s red tile-roofed buildings, whitewashed walls, exquisite gardens and fountains.
With the addition of the new SEARED by One&Only™ restaurant, the resort has also become one of the country’s most interesting dining destinations. You have the choice of comfortable indoor elegance with original Mexican touches of tawny marble, amber chandeliers, and Aztec geometric marble floors or al fresco dining on the restaurant’s expansive terrace overlooking the ocean. The menu features the finest steaks and freshest seafood along with one of Mexico’s most comprehensive wine lists. Some 15 different cuts of the highest quality beef from Wagyu A5 and Kobe certified to succulent rib eyes and tenderloins are served along with local spiny lobsters, whole grilled red snappers, a complement of chilled seafoods, Hamachi sashimi with Yuzu dressing, and beef carpaccio with black truffle fritters ̶ all bearing the signature of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Recipient of numerous accolades from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, U.S. News & World Report and others, the refurbishment included new décor and furnishings with hand-crafted Mexican accents for 172 guest rooms and suites, all of which feature expansive views of the Pacific or Sea of Cortez from a private patio or balcony and 24-hour butler service. The newly-restyled 10,000 sq. ft. beachfront Villa Cortez offers four-bedrooms, its own private beach and pool, lavish entertainment areas, 12-seat private screening room, staff quarters and much more.
Suviche, adjacent to SEARED, also has a fresh look with its new back-lit alabaster bar enhancing dramatic floor-to-ceiling views of the Sea of Cortez. Featuring sushi and sashimi, the cuisine is also choreographed by Chef Jean-Georges who selected Chef Yoshiaki Akaike to oversee the preparation. Next to Suviche is the One&Only Lounge with its vast array of cocktails and extensive selection of Mexico’s finest tequila and mezcal. Live entertainment is offered nightly.
Another popular local and guest favorite, Agua by Larbi’s large, airy space has been re-imagined in new earth-to-sea tones by David Mexico. Chef Larbi Dahrouch and his team prepare farm-to-table dishes of authentic Mexican cuisine with Mediterranean influences. A protégé of the late 3-Michelin-star-chef Jean-Louis Palladin, Dahrouch’s culinary travels throughout Mexico have enabled him to provide guests with unique, authentically-Mexican cuisine while the open kitchen allows you to observe the preparation. Agua by Larbi also offers guests a wealth of beverage options from the dedicated tequila and mezcal trolley with blanco, reposado and anejo varieties of tequila to unique, lesser-known mezcal. The restaurant’s menu is constantly varying with daily and seasonal changes which are served with fresh, hand-made tortillas, authentic moles, signature guacamole and ceviche prepared tableside.
The resort’s central terrace leads guests to the casual outdoor Breeze café overlooking one of the resort’s two free-form pools edged by a stunning vista of the Pacific. The restaurant offers a variety of breakfast options, light lunches of salads and Mexican delicacies, and all-day snacks showcasing fresh and organic produce.
The newly-redesigned One&Only Spa and Fitness Center offers 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with signature treatments provided in 13 private treatment villas ̶ each with its own secluded courtyard and many with plunge pools, rain showers and swinging day beds plus relaxation and light lunches in the Yoga Garden. Also new is the OBO beauty salon created and partnered with Beverly Hills celebrity stylists Jonathan Antin and Amanda George in their first off-site venture, and for the guys, Barber&Blade is One&Only Palmilla’s exclusive new men’s salon.
For more information, visit One&Only Palmilla.
by Linda Lang | Jun 25, 2015 | À la Carte
A Weekly Culinary Calendar has been introduced by the award-winning Caribbean island resort, Jade Mountain, to supplement its celebrated annual Culinary Festivals.
Making these events unique for gourmands and chocolate lovers, all the produce comes from Emerald Estate, the resort’s organic farm in the hills above Soufriere on the isle of St. Lucia. In addition to all the perks of a luxury Caribbean resort, your farm-to-table experience includes visiting the farm and selecting such ingredients as vanilla beans, 
cocoa, bay leaf, nutmeg, fruits of cinnamon and coconut trees, varieties of mango, and sour oranges.
Each week offers 11 ways to sharpen your cooking skills and increase your appreciation of fresh ingredients. Programs include:
- Cocoa Tree to Chocolate Bar which features a jungle stroll through the resort’s private Emerald Estate providing insights into the roasting, grinding and conching of cocoa beans (redistribution of fats to maximize flavor) with a sampling and bar of the estate’s organic chocolate.
- A Tandoori Cooking Class on the beach in late afternoon introduces you to the spicing secrets of St.Lucian/East-Indian Fusion dishes like Chicken Tandoori.
- Chocolate, Wine and Paradise presents surprising pointers on pairings of wine and the world’s favorite aphrodisiac.
- Learn how to create exotic rum drinks in a Saint Lucia Rum Mixology Class led by a Jade Mountain mixologist.
When not immersed in culinary delights, Jade Mountain offers a true island paradise escape. Its tranquil setting offers views of the old French colonial town of Soufriere and Twin Pitons, both of which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 22 cantilevered suites designed as sanctuaries and reached by bridges have private pools in lieu of a fourth wall, inviting in the surrounding scenery. The extraordinary architecture conceived and built by visionary owner Nick Troubetzkoy is perfectly in harmony with its natural surroundings. 
Enveloped by an infinity pool, dining in the Jade Mountain Club on a private hillside terrace offers panoramas from every table. Exclusively for resident guests, its Jade Cuisine, created by James Beard Award winner Chef Allen Susser, is a fusion of tropical, cultural and Caribbean flavors reflective of seasonal changes. On select evenings, you’ll also enjoy entertainment ranging from local jazz musicians to acoustic guitarists.
Most Weekly Culinary events accept a maximum of six participants to allow everyone to participate fully in the workshops and hands-on cooking demonstrations. Some events are free; some involve a fee.
This year’s remaining festivals include:
- October 2-6 – Jade Mountain’s Discover Chocolate offering a hands-on experience in the world of cacao and chocolate.
- December 11-15 – Spices of the Caribbean presents a look into the island’s Spice Box, creating flavors of exotic places for the plate.
Events for 2016 include the Mango Madness Festival in June and five-day Cooking in Paradise celebrating locally grown Caribbean Cuisine. Dates for both to be announced.
For event information, go to www.jademountain.com/events.html. For resort information and reservations, call 800-223-1108 or visit www.jademountain.com
by Linda Lang | Jun 23, 2015 | À la Carte
Chettiar ‘Karounen’ Vythalingum has just joined the Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort as pastry chef. His new responsibilities include all bread and pastry items in four of the resort’s dining spots.
Karounen was previously at Sofitel The Palm & Spa Resort in Dubai for two years as a pastry specialist. He also worked for a number of prestigious hotels in his native Mauritius. He is now working in close collaboration with Geert-Jan Vaartjes, just appointed executive chef in April, to prepare new creations based on traditional and new techniques including the making of ice cream ‘live’ in the resort’s Mercado restaurant. All the
fresh products used in the Outrigger’s kitchens are from Mauritius and include local fruits, spices and herbs that are used in breads and pastries as well as ice cream desserts.
Outrigger Mauritius offers all-day dining in its Mercado restaurant, the Plantation Club featuring fine dining with Creole influences, Edgewater’s fine international dishes, Willy’s Crab Shack, and Bar Bleu specializing in comfort food.
Located on a stunning white sand cove in the picturesque BelOmbre nature reserve, all the resort’s 181 guest rooms offer views of the azure-blue Indian Ocean. There are also four swimming pools, a supervised kids club, children’s pool, spa and wide range of land and water activity options.
OutriggerMauritius.com
by Linda Lang | Apr 20, 2015 | À la Carte
Following two years at the Crimson Resort & Spa in the Philippines, Stuart Blair returns to Fiji as executive chef or the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island in Nadi. His experience on tropical isles also includes the Maldives, Seychelles, Caribbean, Bali, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
As a noted leader in the spa and organic cuisine movement, the Australian-born chef utilizes the freshest local ingredients infused with touches of Pacific Rim and global gastronomy in his creative menus as well as cooking classes for resort guests. He’s hosted functions for the Malaysian and other royal families as well as celebs such as Elizabeth Hurley and The Rolling Stones. A food celebrity in his own right, Blair has been a frequent guest on TV cooking shows in Australia, Bali and Singapore.
Offering the island nation’s largest fully integrated conference venue, the Sofitel is one of Fiji’s premier event facilities. Its ballroom seats 640 banquet style or 800 for cocktails, and its technically-advanced meeting rooms and options for outdoor and private venues range from beach and poolside terrace functions to a stately lawn or a Fijian bure (wood hut with a straw roof).
Blair’s talents and team promise to be a notable force in Fiji’s growing dining scene.
by Linda Lang | Feb 10, 2015 | À la Carte
Chef Matteo Arvonio
Chef Matteo Arvonio has joined the team of the Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai’s Café Studio restaurant. He was most recently Chef de Cuisine at Il Teatro at the Four Seasons Hotel Doha. His first Four Seasons affiliation was in Mumbai, after which he moved to the Maldives. Some 25 restaurants during the past two decades complete his experience, with most of his culinary career spent in his home country, Italy.
Born in northern Italy in the town of Piedmont bordering both France and Switzerland against a dramatic backdrop of the Alps, Chef Arvonio’s ambitions were inspired by his uncle who worked in several of Milano’s five-star hotels. By the age of 13, he had discovered his love for food and knew what he wanted to be.
In Café Studio, you can enjoy Chef Arvonio’s many tempting creations which include a broad selection of Italian specialties. Check out these and other offerings at Four Seasons Shanghai Café Studio
by Linda Lang | Feb 4, 2015 | À la Carte
A new Weekly Culinary Calendar has been introduced by the award-winning Caribbean resort, Jade Mountain, to supplement its celebrated annual culinary festivals.
What makes these events unique for gourmands and chocolate lovers is that all the produce comes from Emerald Estate, the resort’s organic farm in the hills above Soufriere on the isle of St. Lucia. In addition to all the perks of a luxury Caribbean resort, your farm to table experience includes visiting the farm and selecting ingredients such as vanilla beans, cocoa, bay leaf, nutmeg and fruits of cinnamon and coconut trees, varieties of mango, and sour oranges.
Each week offers 11 ways to sharpen your cooking skills and increase your appreciation of fresh ingredients. Programs include:
- Cocoa Tree to Chocolate Bar which features a jungle stroll through the resort’s private Emerald Estate providing insights into the roasting, grinding and conching of cocoa beans (redistribution of fats to maximize flavor) with a sampling and bar of the estate’s organic chocolate.
- A Tandoori Cooking Class on the beach in late afternoon introduces you to the spicing secrets of St.Lucian/East-Indian Fusion dishes like Chicken Tandoori.
- Chocolate, Wine and Paradise presents surprising pointers on pairings of wine and the world’s favorite aphrodisiac.
- Learn how to create exotic rum drinks in a Saint Lucia Rum Mixology Class led by a Jade Mountain mixologist.
When not focused on culinary delights, Jade Mountain offers a true island paradise escape. Juse named #5 in Conde Nast Traveler’s List of the World’s Best Beach Resorts, its tranquil setting offers views of the old French colonial town of Soufriere and Twin Pitons which are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 22 cantilevered suites designed as sanctuaries and reached by bridges have private pools in place of a fourth wall, inviting in the surrounding scenery. The extraordinary architecture conceived and built by visionary owner Nick Troubetzkoy is perfectly in balance with its natural surroundings.
Enveloped by an 
infinity pool, dining in the Jade Mountain Club on a private hillside terrace has endless views from every table. Exclusively for resident guests, its Jade Cuisine, created by James Beard Award winner Chef Allen Susser, is a modern fusion of tropical, cultural and Caribbean flavors reflective of seasonal changes. On select evenings, you’ll enjoy entertainment ranging from local jazz musicians to acoustic guitarists.
Most Weekly Culinary events accept a maximum of six participants to enable everyone to participate fully in the workshops and hands-on cooking demonstrations. Some events are free; some involve a fee.
This year’s annual food festivals include:
- March 20-24: Cooking in Paradise celebrating locally-grown Caribbean cuisine.
- June 12-17: Mango Madness Festival featuring the versatility of the mango.
- October 2-6: Jade Mountain’s Discover Chocolate offering a hands-on experience in the world of cacao and chocolate.
- December 11-15: Spices of the Caribbean presents a look into the island’s Spice Box, creating flavors of exotic places for the plate.
For complete details on all events, go to http://www.jademountain.com/events.html. For resort information and reservations, call 800-223-1108 or visit http://www.jademountain.com
One&Only Palmilla, one of Cabo’s finest luxury resorts, recently reopened with totally-refurbished guest rooms, new adult outdoor lounging areas, new One&Only Spa and Fitness Center, and SEARED ̶ a new steakhouse created with Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
With the addition of the new SEARED by One&Only™ restaurant, the resort has also become one of the country’s most interesting dining destinations. You have the choice of comfortable indoor elegance with original Mexican touches of tawny marble, amber chandeliers, and Aztec geometric marble floors or al fresco dining on the restaurant’s expansive terrace overlooking the ocean. The menu features the finest steaks and freshest seafood along with one of Mexico’s most comprehensive wine lists. Some 15 different cuts of the highest quality beef from Wagyu A5 and Kobe certified to succulent rib eyes and tenderloins are served along with local spiny lobsters, whole grilled red snappers, a complement of chilled seafoods, Hamachi sashimi with Yuzu dressing, and beef carpaccio with black truffle fritters ̶ all bearing the signature of Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Recipient of numerous accolades from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, U.S. News & World Report and others, the refurbishment included new décor and furnishings with hand-crafted Mexican accents for 172 guest rooms and suites, all of which feature expansive views of the Pacific or Sea of Cortez from a private patio or balcony and 24-hour butler service. The newly-restyled 10,000 sq. ft. beachfront Villa Cortez offers four-bedrooms, its own private beach and pool, lavish entertainment areas, 12-seat private screening room, staff quarters and much more.
Suviche, adjacent to SEARED, also has a fresh look with its new back-lit alabaster bar enhancing dramatic floor-to-ceiling views of the Sea of Cortez. Featuring sushi and sashimi, the cuisine is also choreographed by Chef Jean-Georges who selected Chef Yoshiaki Akaike to oversee the preparation. Next to Suviche is the One&Only Lounge with its vast array of cocktails and extensive selection of Mexico’s finest tequila and mezcal. Live entertainment is offered nightly.
Another popular local and guest favorite, Agua by Larbi’s large, airy space has been re-imagined in new earth-to-sea tones by David Mexico. Chef Larbi Dahrouch and his team prepare farm-to-table dishes of authentic Mexican cuisine with Mediterranean influences. A protégé of the late 3-Michelin-star-chef Jean-Louis Palladin, Dahrouch’s culinary travels throughout Mexico have enabled him to provide guests with unique, authentically-Mexican cuisine while the open kitchen allows you to observe the preparation. Agua by Larbi also offers guests a wealth of beverage options from the dedicated tequila and mezcal trolley with blanco, reposado and anejo varieties of tequila to unique, lesser-known mezcal. The restaurant’s menu is constantly varying with daily and seasonal changes which are served with fresh, hand-made tortillas, authentic moles, signature guacamole and ceviche prepared tableside.
The resort’s central terrace leads guests to the casual outdoor Breeze café overlooking one of the resort’s two free-form pools edged by a stunning vista of the Pacific. The restaurant offers a variety of breakfast options, light lunches of salads and Mexican delicacies, and all-day snacks showcasing fresh and organic produce.
The newly-redesigned One&Only Spa and Fitness Center offers 22,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space with signature treatments provided in 13 private treatment villas ̶ each with its own secluded courtyard and many with plunge pools, rain showers and swinging day beds plus relaxation and light lunches in the Yoga Garden. Also new is the OBO beauty salon created and partnered with Beverly Hills celebrity stylists Jonathan Antin and Amanda George in their first off-site venture, and for the guys, Barber&Blade is One&Only Palmilla’s exclusive new men’s salon.
