Dining

Maine Magazine Launches 2011 Guide Books

Filed under: Decor, Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Art, Books

Maine magazine, the stylish bible of "more than just lobsters and lighthouses", has debuted its 2011 guides to the best the Pine Tree State has to offer. This year in addition to the Eat Maine edition launched last year they've added Art Maine and Home Maine versions with help from sister publication Maine Home + Design. Indispensable for both visitors and natives alike, the pocket-sized booklets act as a Baedeker to the best in dining, decor and the arts around the beautiful northern and easternmost bit of New England. Of course they do list the best lobster rolls in the Eat edition but that's just the tip of the icecap. The guides are priced at $5.95 and come free to subscribers; alternatively they can be found at many Portland businesses and are also available from the magazine directly.

Tags: art, decor, dining, eat+maine+2011, eatmaine2011, guide, lobster, magazines, Maine, Maine Home + Design, Maine magazine, New England, travel

Fairmont Hotels Debut Specialized Menu for the Health Conscious

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Guests at any one of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts 60+ locations worldwide will no longer have to sacrifice flavor for health or vice versa as the chain just launched a new Lifestyle Cuisine Plus menu that accommodates special diets including those related to medical conditions, food allergies, and lifestyle choices like vegan, raw, or macrobiotic. And although nutritional guidelines are the same across the board the food is not: each Fairmont chef is able to design and personalize his or her own menu to reflect the unique flavors and seasonal offerings of their location, and guests are encouraged to speak with the chef directly regarding any special dining needs they may have during their stay.

Lifestyle Cuisine Plus menus are available as of January 1, 2011 in all Fairmont Hotel restaurants as well as on room service and banquet menus.

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Tags: dining, fairmont, restaurants

Dario Cecchini to Prepare Special Five Course Meal at Mario Batali's Del Posto

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Dario Cecchini to Prepare Special Five Course Meal at Mario Batali's Del Posto

On Monday, January 24th, Mario Batali's Del Posto restaurant in Manhattan will feature a unique five course meal specially prepared by by Dario Cecchini, world famous butcher and chef, who will travel from Italy for the event.

"Dario is the Maserati of butchers, the Bob Dylan of the Tuscan cow, the Jimi Hendrix of juiciness," an enthusiastic Batali told Luxist. "There is not one person more integrally involved in the true Italian beef experience than this single heroic figure. He can recite Dante and sing Verdi while taking a half a cow down to individual portions in an hour."

Often referred to as the "Michelangelo of Meat", Cecchini has a unique philosophy of respect for each and every part of the animal. He works with whole animals, beef and pork, utilizing each cut to its greatest potential, transforming what some might regard as lesser cuts into tasty dishes. Dario's consideration for the entire animal follows his family's traditions-they've been butchers for over 250 years, and at home they prepared the cuts that clients weren't interested in.

Cecchini's passion, hospitality and expertise have won him recognition from the likes of Alice Waters, Anthony Bourdain, Jamie Oliver and Prince Charles. His butcher shop, Antica Macelleria Cecchini and restaurants Solociccia, Officina della Bistecca and Dario+ in the Panzano village of Chianti, Italy, are well-known culinary destinations for food-lovers from all over the world.

The evening on January 24 will begin with a cocktail reception from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm featuring Del Posto Executive Chef Mark Ladner's selection of passed assaggi (hors d'oeuvres), Bellinis and Fontodi Chianti.

Guests will be seated at 8:00 pm in the Piemonte room at Del Posto for the five course meal.

Gallery: Mario Batali's Del Posto

A view of the interior of Del Posto from the lounge

Tags: Alice Waters, Anthohy Bourdain, Dario Cecchini, Del Posto, dining, dining out, Jamie Oliver, Mario Batali, Mark Ladner, Prince Charles

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Celebrate Valentine's Day in Luxe Style at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The desire to do something extraordinary for Valentine's Day often clashes with the cold reality of no time to travel somewhere truly exotic. We've found the U.S. Virgin Islands to be an ideal escape without having to cross borders (and all that entails) to get somewhere special. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas manages to be a magical oasis despite its relative proximity to the area's only major airport – a big plus when time is of the essence. The resort's secluded setting on 30 acres fronting an intimate white-sand beach and the gracious elegance of its main building, the Italianate Palazzo (above), set the scene for really romantic getaways. In front of the Palazzo are landscaped gardens leading to a stunning infinity pool overlooking the beach and turquoise waters of a sheltered bay.

For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, The signature Ritz-Carlton Club Level at the property has 55 Deluxe rooms featuring standing rain showers and soaking tubs and unobstructed ocean views from private balconies. The Club Level accommodations in St. Thomas also include one-bedroom Executive suites, a top-floor Ritz-Carlton Club Suite and three stunning 1,850-square-foot Presidential suites boasting a dining and living area and fitness room with treadmill, where Barack Obama and family have stayed in the past. All Club Level rooms and suites include access to the elegant Club Lounge with a spacious outdoor terrace, offering elaborate culinary presentations throughout the day and evening, chic cocktails and a dedicated Club Concierge.

Once ensconced in your luxe accommodations there are several options for making your getaway even more magical. A particular favorite for celebrating Valentine's Day is a champagne sunset sail aboard the Lady Lynsey, the resort's luxurious 53 ft. catamaran. You can take a cruise to Honeymoon Beach across the bay on St. John featuring some of the finest snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, and then hop back on board for a leisurely lunch for two complete with a champagne toast. Stay out on the water to watch the sunset and then finish the day with a starlit dinner in a private gazebo on the beach with a chocolate and wine tasting, or enjoy a private dinner for two at Bleuwater restaurant, one of four distinctive oceanfront-dining options as unique and colorful as the Caribbean scenery that surrounds them. [cont'd]

Gallery: The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas

Tags: Barack Obama, beach, Caribbean, catamaran, champagne, dining, hotel suites, luxury hotel, ocean, Prada, Prada Beauty, Ritz-Carlton, sailing, spa, St. Thomas, The Ritz-Carlton, U.S. Virgin Islands, Valentines Day, Virgin Island

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A Taste of New York at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Going out to eat in New York City can be an incredible experience, except for one thing - you're smack in the middle of a great, stinking, crowded, dirty, noisy city full of obnoxious, neurotic people. Not to mention that this time of year it's freezing cold to boot. That can detract from the enjoyment if not outright ruin it on certain occasions. However at the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan, Puerto Rico you can now get an authentic NYC dining experience in an incredible beachfront setting. The luxe hotel has created a tantalizing Taste of New York Package around its two great restaurants imported directly from the Big Apple, BLT Steak and Il Mulino New York – minus the Manhattan melodrama.

BLT Steak from famed chef Laurent Tourondel mixes modern, urbane décor with an infusion of classic French bistro techniques. In the elegant, old-world atmosphere of Il Mulino New York you can linger over the vibrant flavors inspired by the cuisine of Italy's Abruzzi region. The package, with rates starting at $569 per night, includes deluxe accommodations for two in a Pool View room; a gourmet welcome amenity; daily breakfast at Mares, the casual poolside café; and daily dinner for two at BLT Steak or Il Mulino, including a complimentary sommelier's selection bottle of wine. Of course the restaurants are open to all guests of the idyllic resort, which also features the Ritz-Carlton's signature Club Level accommodation, a must for travelers who require the best of everything with convenience to match.

Gallery: Taste of New York at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

Tags: beach, BLT Steak, chef, dining, Il Mulino, Laurent Tourondel, luxury hotels, New York, New York City, Puerto Rico, Ritz-Carlton, San Juan

Bufala Break: A Bite at Obika on Madison Avenue

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Toting shopping bags up and down Manhattan's Madison Avenue can become tiring. After wearing out your elbow signing credit card slips, you'll find yourself with a daunting appetite, and you'll want to take care of it without deviating from your upscale excursion. There aren't many dining options, and most will lead you to a side street where the fare is mundane at best -- it's Midtown, after all. You can keep your luxury momentum going without having to trot far from your fashion binge at Obika, a mozzarella bar on the corner of Madison Ave and E. 56th Street.

The setting may strike you as strange -- nobody would expect to find a chic establishment in the IBM building's public atrium. Well, you'll have to suspend disbelief for a moment, because the bufala that awaits you is worth it. Popular with the local business crowd because it's easy to get in and out while still indulging, managing partner Anthony tells me that he sees plenty of visitors to New York come through.

Gallery: Obika: Mozzarella Bar in Manhattan

Fresh bufala is flown in three times a week

Even without a chef, the creations are delicious

Tags: cheese, dining, food, madison ave, Madison Avenue, manhattan, mozzarella, MozzarellaCheese, new york, new york city, new york city restaurants, prosciutto

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The Right Way to Set Up a Buffet Table

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Buffet style meal service can be a great way to offer a variety of foods to a large group of guests, as long as you keep it organized and put some thought into setting it up. Smooth, clear navigation and easy to handle dishes and utensils are key, as are these other tips.

Stack plates at the head of the table, and silverware and napkins at the end.
All the food should be accessible from both sides, even for small groups, and all lids and covers should be completely removed once serving starts.
Start with the main course, then the side dishes, and finally the salads and bread.
Be sure to duplicate condiments on both sides of the dishes they coordinate with, for easy accessibility.
Provide tongs and ladles instead of forks and spoons for serving whenever possible.
If offering grilled goods consider a separate station by the grill so meat and veggies can be served up as freshly as possible.
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold via generous buffet burners and ice.
Refill often to maintain freshness and flavor.
If serving a wide variety of dishes consider labeling with place cards so guests know what's what.
Lettuce wilts quickly outdoors or in a warm room so consider a grain-based version, like this Mediterranean Grain Salad, as a sturdier and longer lasting substitute.
Beverages should be served on a separate table that's far enough away from the main buffet so as not to cause traffic congestion.
Dessert should also be served separately, on its own table, and should not be put out until after the main course.

Tags: buffet, dining, food-pedia

Daniel Boulud Opens First European Restaurant

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Famed French chef Daniel Boulud, most well known for his influence and restaurants in New York City (including his flagship named simply 'Daniel'), has opened his first restaurant on his home continent. Called Bar Boulud it opened in the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London just a few weeks ago on May 6th. The bistro seats 169 guests and features a retro and wine theme (including stylized wine-barrel light fixtures and black and white photos from his hometown of Lyon, France) and a charcuterie-heavy menu cooked up by a dozen chefs in an open kitchen. Guests have their choice of traditional 'in season' French dishes or Yankee styled burger and fries. The Bar Boulud in London is an outpost of the original Bar Boulud that opened in New York in 2008.

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Tags: bar boulud, daniel boulud, dining, london, restaurant

Sierra Mar in Big Sur: An Award-Winning Restaurant with Spectacular Views

by Zack O'Malley Greenburg (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Halfway through the foie gras portion of a four course meal at Sierra Mar in Big Sur, a long-haired patron in jeans and a plaid shirt blunders into an oversized whale painting. A swarm of waiters quickly coalesces around him, attempting to prevent the listing canvas from falling over completely. Eventually they give up and lower the unhappy leviathan to the floor, leaning it against the wall until a more convenient time.

This is an interaction that might only be possible at Sierra Mar, the jewel of Big Sur's Post Ranch Inn, where casual is the norm despite rooms that run more per night than comparable apartments cost per month in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Gallery: Post Ranch Inn

Though the modern resort was founded in 1984, the land's history dates back to 1850 – when homesteader and grizzly bear hunter William Brainard Post took out a claim on 160 acres of land in Big Sur. That same land now plays host to the exclusive 39-room resort that carries the family's name.

These days, visitors are greeted with glasses of Champagne and whisked up the hill by a fleet of black Lexus hybrid SUVs. An array of rooms await, some nestled in the trees, some built into the side of the oceanside cliffs. All are outfitted with fireplaces, breathtaking views and, of course, free wireless internet. Perhaps best of all, the rooms are just a few minutes' walk from the restaurant.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright student Mickey Muennig, Sierra Mar is perched 1,200 feet above the crashing tides of the Pacific. The views are almost as dramatic as the taste sensations caused by the delicious menu. On a stormy night this spring, dinner begins with an amuse bouche of cured salmon, crème fraiche and Tsar Nicoulai caviar. Forget your mouth – your whole body will be amused and amazed at rich array of flavors unleashed by the single bite.

Appetizers include the Butter Poached Maine Lobster, served in a lemongrass-coconut broth with green papaya salad, and the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna, smothered in wasabi butter and shallot soy. In both dishes, the interplay between creamy sauce and fresh seafood makes for a refreshingly light and flavorful starter. But the highlight has to be the heavier Foie Gras Tasting and its three interpretations of goose liver: seared alongside pickled quince; torched in a tiny crème brûlée dish; and sautéed atop miniature pancakes.

The second course options are equally engaging, especially the Bourride – a single, spongy Maine diver scallop engulfed in a red pepper picada and garlic crumbs. If you're looking for a leafy respite from a fishy dinner, try the Artaulfo Mango Salad and treat your taste buds to a trio of roasted macadamia nuts, mint leaves and fresh water chestnuts.

Of the main course options – Alaskan Halibut, Roast Organic Air Chilled Chicken Breast, Risotto and Roast Prime Rib Eye Steak – the latter is certainly the heartiest. Paired with braised short rib hash and topped with a poached egg, the rib eye is a bouquet of textures and smoky flavors. Fortunately, the portion is sensibly sized to ensure you won't leave feeling anchored by your entrée.

For a true Big Sur dessert, look no further than the S'Mores. Though not quite the messy delicacy found at nearby beatnik campfires for the past half-century, this neat stack of warm chocolate cake and flamed marshmallow ice cream should please any palate.

As your meal at the Sierra Mar draws to a close, the floor-to-ceiling glass windows will be filled with the vast darkness of the Pacific below. The dim lights will seem dimmer, and after a few glasses of wine, you might find yourself imagining the ghost of Kerouac flittering through the restaurant. That's all well and good – just try not to bump into any whale paintings on your way out.

Tags: awards-main, big sur, Big Sur coastline, dining, dining out, luxist-awards, Sierra Mar

Big Sur's Nepenthe: A Cliffside Bar and Restaurant with Panoramic Views

by Zack O'Malley Greenburg (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

For a careful observer, twenty minutes at Nepenthe is enough to learn all one needs to know about Big Sur. Sit down for a sunset cocktail and listen as the lawyer on your left explains why he's allowed to grow marijuana in California. Ask the rolling-stone bartender where he's headed next, and don't expect him to know. Don't forget to notice the blue-blazered investment banker across the bar from you. He's probably stopping off for a drink before dinner at the spectacular Sierra Mar, down the road.

Nepenthe is living proof of the dichotomy at the heart of Big Sur, a secret betrayed in print by the same beatniks who discovered it. The cliffside bar and restaurant has a clientele that includes occupants of $50-per-night tent cabins in the woods and guests from $1,500-a-night luxury resorts along the ocean. They all walk up the same steps, past an old-fashioned telephone booth, under a string of jalapeno-shaped lights, to Nepenthe.

Gallery: Big Sur's Nepenthe

Founded more than 60 years ago, Nepenthe has long been associated with both glamour and grime. Designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Nepenthe was originally purchased by Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth on a whim. As legend has it, the pair – whose relationship was stormy as a Big Sur winter – spent one night in the area and never returned, eventually selling the property to the family that currently owns Nepenthe.

Today, patrons still enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific from copious indoor and outdoor seating. Unlike some of Big Sur's fancier locales don't bother making a reservation unless there are more than four people in your party. Highlights on the menu include the signature Ambrosia Burger and Lolly's Roast Chicken.

For the best experience, arrive before night falls and watch the sun slip into the Pacific. Enjoy a drink from Nepenthe's considerable wine list, or let the bartender cook up a delicious cocktail. And make sure to chat up at least one stranger before heading out – there are few better places to meet fascinating folks.

Tags: awards-main, big sur, Big Sur coastline, dining, dining out, luxist-awards, nepenthe restaurant

Otarian Carbon-Friendly Vegetarian Dining

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Green

Otarian Vegetarian Eco-Friendly Fast Food

The words vegetarian, eco-friendly, and fast food have not gone together until now, under the name Otarian. Founded by Radhika Oswal, a woman who described herself as a "hungry vegetarian" and pitched the idea to her husband 3 years ago after being frustrated at not being able to find anything but "pizza and french fries" while traveling.

And so Otarian was born, a fast food chain that not only serves "global vegetarian cuisine" but does so in an eco-conscious and sustainable way. "This isn't a chain of vegetarian restaurants, but a chain of sustainable restaurants," Oswal says. Everything from the as-local-as-possible food to the way the buildings are constructed to the packaging and production practices of the stores is geared towards being ecologically responsible. They even label each sandwich and combo meal with its carbon number and the carbon number of a similar meat dish, so you can see how much you've offset by choosing vegetarian.

Currently there's an Otarian located on Bleeker Street in NYC, with another planned to open in the city this Friday (the 23rd) near Columbus Circle at 8th Ave and 56th St and two more planned to launch soon in London. Stop by and grab a Portobello Mushroom Burger (shown here) for lunch and do your part for the planet.

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Tags: burger, dining, Earth Day, earth day 2010, earth day april 22, fast food, green, vegetarian

Chefs Serve Meal Cooked on Erupting Volcano

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

When Iceland's Fimmvorduhals volcano first started erupting several weeks ago hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes, but very quickly the traffic started moving the other direction as tourists flocked to see the spewing lava via helicopter and guided vehicle tours. One couple experienced it a little differently, though as they spent a romantic evening volcano-side eating a gourmet meal prepared and cooked directly on the hot lava. Fridgeir Eiriksso, the head chef at Reykjavik's Holt hotel, first came up with the idea and took three of his colleagues with him up the side of the mountain to find a good spot for cooking, saying 'We did not know what to expect, so we brought welder masks and gloves since we wanted to cook the food on the lava itself.'

The two customers paid about £650 each for transportation via helicopter to the site and a meal of soup, flaming lobster, monkfish, and shallots along with champagne and a beautiful view of the volcano's crater. The experiment was considered a great success but chef Eiriksso says there are no plans to offer it again.

Via Bornrich

Gallery: Dining on the Fimmvorduhals Volcano

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Tags: dining, iceland, stunt dining, volcano

The Best (and Worst) Anti-Aging Foods

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Everybody wants to look and feel young, healthy, and vibrant, but unfortunately our lives don't always make achieving that goal easy. Stress, pollution, activities, and even the food we eat can affect how fast and how gracefully we age. Are you making diet choices that will keep you looking young?

The best anti-aging foods:

Berries like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries are especially high in Vitamin C that helps to reduce wrinkles and age-related skin dryness, fiber that boosts heart health and helps maintain a healthy weight, antioxidants that fight against environmental and dietary toxins, and polyphenols that are thoughts to battle age-related mental decline.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and swiss chard have high levels of Vitamin K that helps keep bones strong and lutein and zeaxanthin that together keep vision sharp by protecting eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.
Whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, and oats are full of a wide variety of nutrients and minerals that help prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and even gum disease. Whole grains are also full of appetite-curbing fiber for help maintaining a healthy weight.
Low-fat dairy because its protein can help maintain healthy strong muscles (age-related muscle loss makes you look and feel older) while its minerals can help keep bones strong and blood pressure within healthy limits.
Water helps all of the functions in your body, including waste and toxin removal and skin rejuvenation, work better and faster. Dehydration strains body systems but is especially bad for the skin, making it appear dull, less supple, and wrinkles more pronounced.

Tags: anti-aging, antiaging, beauty, beauty-pedia, dining, food, skin, skin care, skincare

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Esslack Gold and Silver Food Paint

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

The Deli Garage in Germany is offering a unique way to dress up your food: edible gold and silver food spray paint. Called Esslack, it makes anything from fresh fruit and vegetables to baked goods like pretzels suddenly look like solid chunks of precious metal. Personally I think the tomatoes in the picture above look totally unappetizing (as does this pretzel done in silver) but there could be some interesting and attractive uses for it, perhaps on wedding cakes and cookies, or maybe accents on fancy hors d'oeuvres. Get it here.

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Tags: dining, edible gold, esslack, food, gold, spray paint

The Basics of Planning a Picnic

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

t's still a little early to be planning a picnic here in the Midwest but thinking about what I want to do once the snow clears helps me deal with cabin fever, plus the eventual picnic (when it does happen) will be all the better for the advanced notice. It's been years since I've been on a full-fledged picnic -- basket, blanket and all -- so I thought it wise to do a little research and compiled this list for making sure everything goes perfectly.

Location
Half the fun of a picnic is derived from relaxing and throwing down a blanket to eat somewhere unusual and different. Consider the person or group you'll be picnicking with and choose somewhere they'll enjoy, whether it's a park for the kids to play in or a scenic vista as a setting for romance. Check out this website for help finding a recommended location near you.

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Tags: dining, luxist-awards, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, picnic, picnics

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