Destinations of the World News - February 2015

February 2015

ROMANTIC ESCAPES

Islands, spas, safaris and more

24 HOURS IN

MUMBAI

VALENCIA An insider's guide VIP AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

BOSTON Rewrites its history

SPA BREAKS The world's best places to relax

RISING STAR

The dawn of a new era in Doha

Art in Tokyo Uncovering the creative side of the capital

NEW-SEASON WATCHES DAZZLING JEWELS SUPERYACHTS LUXURY CARS

Let us lend an air of luxury to your business meetings.

Let us find a translator fluent in both Arabic and your business.

Let us show your guests genuine Arabian hospitality. ÂŽ

Let us remind you that true success is always by design.

Experience the new level of luxury with Club Level accommodations.

The Ritz-Carlton, Doha Club Level Lounge, is an exclusive retreat of supreme comfort, convenience and privacy. Indulge in five complimentary food and beverage presentations and uniquely themed buffet dinner daily while captivating in the serene surroundings and views atop the 23rd floor.

For reservations, call The Ritz-Carlton, Doha at +974 4484 8000 or visit us at ritzcarlton.com/doha.

Terms and conditions apply. Š 2014 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

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February 2015

On the cover 60 New dawn in Doha The future is looking bright for Qatar’s exciting capital

90 Take a break From Austria to Laos, we reveal the best spas for relaxation

70 Tokyo’s creative side Go beyond the neon lights to discover a world-class art scene

101 A day in Mumbai The ultimate itinerary to see the best of the city in 24 hours

80 Boston beat This historic town is one of America’s cosmopolitan capitals

104 Insider... Valencia Jose Miguel G. Cortes of IVAM takes us on a tour of his city

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Old meets new

Looking out across West Bay to Doha’s developing skyline

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Let us offer you Arabian hospitality at its finest.

Let us teach you about our rich Qatari heritage.

Let us wrap you in luxury and comfort.

Let us keep a place in your heart.

Sharq Village & Spa is a novel contrast harking back to the past and offering a memorable experience for visitors seeking a destination resort with an exceptional sense of place. For reservations, call +974-4425-6666 or visit us at ritzcarlton.com/sharqvillage.

© 2014 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company

Contents

Photo: ITC Grand Bharat

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Sectiony

February 2015

34 In the news

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34 Europe

All roads lead to Bodrum; six new reasons to visit Greece this summer

48 Debut

Hot hotels, chic boutiques and exclusive new resorts

36 Middle East & Africa 50 Diary Cruise the Nile in style; Dubai’s seven wonders of the (fashion) world

This month’s pick of sporting, cultural and artistic events

40 Asia & Oceania

52 VIP

44 Americas

54 Interview

Incredible hideaways in New Zealand; Laguna Phuket Golf Club’s redesign

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Luxe transportation at the touch of a button; Nat Geo’s hotel portfolio

Stepping out for New York Fashion Week Model and actress Marisa Berenson pursues a path to high-end wellness

Spend it 126 Escape

140 Ignition

132 Essentials

142 Set sail

136 On the road

146 Suite dreams

The best one-of-a-kind travel experiences money can buy This month’s pick of accessories to stay stylish on your travels New offerings from Alfa Romeo and Mercedes-Benz

The new Corvette Stingray cuts a fine figure on the road Introducting The Belafonte and Eddie Jordan’s Blush Safari luxury at Anantara’s Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort

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Contents

February 2015

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Gourmet travel 110 Taste of... Dubai

The UAE’s city of glamour is also a global food capital

115 Restaurant news

The last of truffle season in China; Abu Dhabi’s new food fest

116 Gourmet journey

A chef’s guide to the best foodie experiences in Buenos Aires

118 Chef’s table

Introducing Vicky Lau, Asia’s top female chef

120 Spirit of travel

A brief history of cognac — and where to go to enjoy it

122 Reservation

Dining at Hong Kong’s Bread Street Kitchen

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February 2015

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Alfred Dunhill Ltd

News February 2015

hot events, new hotels and global jetsetters

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turkish delight Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay is just one of the luxe resorts drawing visitors to Turkey’s Bodrum Peninsula

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Luxury travel news from around the world New hotels to check into this month Our pick of February’s top events Caroline Issa takes us to NY Fashion Week Interview: Seventies ‘It Girl’ Marisa Berenson

Booming Bodrum

The Bodrum Peninsula is no rookie when it comes to tourism. In fact, the port city itself hosted one of the original Seven Wonders of the World – the ancient Mausoleum of Halikarnassus – and remains the home of Bodrum Castle and the adjacent “antique city” of Pedasa. But while summer sojourners relentlessly flock to gawk at the region’s historic sites, there’s no shortage of new openings and itineraries to freshen things up and help revamp the Turkish Riviera’s image.

Mandarin Oriental carved out its own little slice of Turkish paradise last summer when it opened the Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum (above).

The 60-hectare waterfront site opened up on the northern side of the peninsula at Cennet Koyu (Paradise Bay), with panoramic views over the Aegean Sea. Designer Antonio Citterio was charged with creating the resort’s 109 rooms, suites and villas in an elegant and contemporary style.

If you want to blend serene seclusion with luxury service then perhaps Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay is also up your street. More accurately, it’s around the corner as the five-star is nestled in its eponymous bay area and provides 36 residences boasting views over the Aegean. If you’re after a more intimate five-star experience, the neighbouring

Kempinski Private Residences Barbaros Bay offer private living within an exclusive, protected community, plus all the hospitality and top-notch services associated with the Kempinski hotel.

For those loyal to The Ritz-Carlton family, Rewards Members can opt to explore this emerging hotspot as part of an exclusive Classic Turkey itinerary with Abercrombie & Kent. After traipsing Istanbul, ballooning over Cappadocia and uncovering Ephesus, the luxury tour operator will take you to Bodrum. En route you’ll explore the ruins of Priene, the massive Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the temple at Euromos around Kusadasi, before arriving at the The Marmara Bodrum. The following day you’ll be whisked around the city’s Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which is a chance to glimpse some of the incredible artefacts salvaged from the sea.

If that’s not enough to entice you to make a return trip, the Viceroy Bodrum is set to debut this year. The 13-hectare plot will spill out across Koyunbaba Bay, complementing the Turkish Riviera’s natural, rugged beauty. The upcoming 84-guest room property will sit alongside 166 residences, a private beach club, spa, and a bevy of fine-dining venues.

Europe

Stay in Picasso’s Barcelona studio Creative inspiration often appears on holiday, and we can’t help thinking it might be even more likely when staying in the abode — or at least, the studio — of a creative genius. The Serras debuted last month as the first five-star waterfront property in Central Barcelona, but that’s not why it’s so special. It’s housed in Picasso’s original studio, which is where he painted Ciencia y Caridad (Science and Charity) in 1897. The building itself dates back to 1846 and maintains its original Neoclassical façade designed by Francesc Daniel Molina, though the rest of the hotel, with its 30 rooms and suites, has assumed a more updated aesthetic. Located on Passeig de Colom, a three-minute walk from Las Ramblas, the hotel and its chic rooftop bar overlooks both the Gothic Old Town and Port Vell Marina, which recently underwent a EUR 125 million ($145.5 million) renovation.

Greece lightning There’s no doubting the Greek Islands offer unparalleled beauty, and if they aren’t yet on your radar for this summer, there are now six new reasons that might change your mind. GIC The Villa Collection is adding half a dozen new properties to its Greek portfolio. The collection is currently comprised of over 100 handpicked residences, with most featuring private pools, dotted around some of the most stunning islands in the Aegean. The six new villas are all located on Skopelos, Lefkas and Kefalonia, and range from the cosy cottage on the edge Skopelos Town to a veritable party venue on the northeastern coast. If we had to choose our favourite, it would be Skopelos’ Villa Joanna (left). The two-storey property features open-plan spaces and a private pool and is gated for privacy — though if you want to go into town, it’s just a short five-minute stroll away.

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Diary 02.2015

Photo: Getty Images

t D oins’s m

Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique finals February 3-4 Monte-Carlo, Monaco The final race of the 18th edition of this classic car rally will see the first competitors arrive in Port Hercule de Monaco at dawn on Tuesday February 3.

Stay in town for the prize-giving gala the following day at Salle des Etoiles du Monte-Carlo Sporting Club. acm.mc

Photo: Jan Windszus

Berlinale February 5-15 Berlin, Germany The exciting cultural hub that is Berlin hosts this 65th edition of the worldrenowned film festival. Thousands of people are expected to attend this year’s events, including the world premieres of Women in Gold and Life, and a series of presentations and panel discussions that introduce and question developments in cinema. www.berlinale.de

Photo: Ula Mirowska

Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series February 23 to March 13Dubai, UAE A premier event of the UAE polo season, the Dubai Polo Gold Cup combines the thrill of sporting competition with the chance to dress to impress and enjoy some VIP hospitality. Teams from Argentina, England and the UAE will compete in the tournament, held at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

www.dubaipologoldcup.com

Art Rotterdam February 5-8 Rotterdam, Netherlands This month, all eyes will be on Rotterdam for this premier art event that places a heavy focus on up-and-coming artists. The city’s centre will be a buzz of activity with fairs, pop-up shows, museum exhibitions and outdoor installations and if you’re an avid collector, don’t miss We Like Art’s sale event, where you can invest in pieces created by promising talents from around Europe and America. www.artrotterdam.com

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Alexander Wang

Proenza Schouler

Caroline Issa

Ohne Titel

The Standard

VIP

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK Caroline Issa, chief executive and fashion director of Tank Magazine and Fashion Week veteran, reveals the best shows, parties and sights to see in NYC during this biannual event EVENT New York Fashion Week is an action-packed week for media and buyers alike, with designers showing collections all over town, and exclusive events taking place around every corner. New York Fashion Week was inaugurated in 1943, and was the first of the ‘Big Four’ fashion weeks (including London, Milan, and Paris).

AMBIENCE The week is a constant hive of activity with each of the seven days filled with a tight schedule of daytime runway shows and evening after-parties. Personally, I always look forward to the Jason Wu, Ohne Titel and Proenza Schouler shows during New York Fashion Week.

RUB SHOULDERS WITH Everyone who’s anyone in the fashion world will be in attendance during the week, from heavyweight magazine editors such as Vogue’s Anna Wintour, as well as prominent fashion bloggers, models and a slew of celebrities lining the front rows of the runway shows.

AFTER DARK Alexander Wang’s after-party is always a spectacle to behold — both the partygoers and his performing guests are always over-the-top fun (last year’s event was held in a warehouse in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Bushwick).

Apart from the exclusive designer after-parties, stop by the Boom Boom Room at the top of The Standard hotel (848 Washington St; +1 212 645 4646; www.standardhotels.com). It has got great views and cocktails, and is a must-see if you’re in town.

STAY New York is spoilt with a plethora of stylishly luxe hotels to base oneself for Fashion Week. I like to stay at Hotel Americano (518 West 27th St; +1 212 216 0000; www.hotel-americano.com): I love the Americano for its rooftop terrace, which is a great place to be during the New York summer. Their breakfasts, coffee and service are also superb.

DINE Choose between The Fat Radish (17 Orchard St; +1 212 300 4053; www.thefatradishnyc.com) and Barbuto (775 Washington St; +1 212 924 9700; www.barbutonyc.com). Both serve absolutely delicious and wonderfully prepared food, and they are great places to spend a long evening with friends.

MUST-DO When you’re in town, go museum-hopping. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 5th Ave; +1 212 535 7710; www.metmuseum.org) and The Guggenheim (1071 5th Ave; +1 212 423 3500; www.guggenheim.org) are two of my favourites.

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ONE ADDRESS, MANY MAGNIFICENT EXPERIENCES Overlooking the beautiful Arabian Gulf, with 336 rooms and 56 suites, The St. Regis Doha delivers a fusion of Middle Eastern splendor and traditional St. Regis hospitality.

Savor flavors from 11 signature restaurants & lounges, soothe away stress at the world-class Remède Spa, take a dip in the Olympic-size pool or enjoy the exclusive beach. The joy of leisure redefined by The St. Regis Doha.

Come, explore.

al gassar resort at west bay stregisdoha.com 974.4446.0000

a legacy of luxury. now at over

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of the world ’ s

finest hotels africa ©2010–2015 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, St. Regis and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates.

&

resorts .

the americas

europe

asia

the middle east

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Destinations THE woRLd’s mosT dEsiRAbLE LocATioNs

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NAT U RA L T H E RA PY Jordan’s Evason Ma’In Hot Springs Spa by Six Senses calls on the healing properties of the Dead Sea

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A new dawn in Doha Inside Tokyo’s arts scene Boston’s rewriting its history Relax at the world’s best spas See Mumbai in a stopover An insider’s guide to Valencia

Tokyo

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Tokyo Art

ART TOKYO

From small independent galleries in narrow backstreets to gleaming modern institutions, themed cafes and high-end hotels, Tokyo’s art scene is omnipresent – and far from conventional Words: Danielle Demetriou

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S

kyscrapers, sumo, salarymen, sushi — Tokyo has long been a city that attracts a steady stream of admirers due to its architecture, culture, social quirks and food. But one of the Japanese capital’s best-kept secrets is perhaps frequently overlooked: namely, Tokyo’s status as a leading player in the global art world.

The city excels at all things art-related, from small independent galleries hidden on back streets, to stararchitect-designed contemporary museums, plus a string of art-themed cafés, stores and hotels. While much of the world’s gaze has focused on nearby China in recent years, Tokyo is increasingly building up a vibrant and energetic art scene that is intent on emerging from the shadow of its neighbour.

Testimony to the city’s status as an art mecca is the steady stream of artist exports enjoying acclaim outside Japan, from the minimalist creations of Rei Naito to the rainbow-bright world of Takashi Murakami.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH For many visitors, the biggest initial challenge is overcoming the fact that there is no centralised area for exploring galleries, unlike the hubs that can be found in London’s Mayfair or Chelsea in New York City. Instead, an art exploration of Tokyo often involves travelling widely across the capital and being prepared to head off the beaten track — a bonus for any open-minded traveller keen on probing life beyond the city’s stereotypes.

A good starting point is Roppongi. Once famed for its nightlife, the neighbourhood is increasingly renowned as home to an eclectic array of art spaces. A trio of high-profile contemporary establishments take centre stage. First is Mori Art Museum, which stages worldclass exhibitions on the 53rd floor of Mori Tower in the heart of the Roppongi Hills shopping complex (currently undergoing renovations until the spring). Then there is the National Art Center, home to 14,000 square metres of exhibition space and worth a visit to admire its distinct wavy glass façade, designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa

Tokyo

(plus the imaginatively-curated design store, Souvenir From Tokyo).

Finally, there is 21_21 Design Sight, a minimalist concrete and glass haven designed by Tadao Ando, complete with a creative roll call of directors, including fashion designer Issey Miyake. For a taste of Tokyo’s independent art scene, it’s also worth popping into Take Ninagawa, a diminutive space in the shadow of the Mori Tower, representing artists ranging from the established Shinro Ohtake to emerging ceramist Ryota Aoki.

Next stop: Harajuku. The name may well bring to mind rainbow-bright pop images of Tokyo’s edgy street fashion scene, with crowds of trendsetting teen tribes populating the thronging streets. But art should also be on a visitor’s checklist of local attractions.

Blum & Poe, a major Los Angeles gallery renowned for championing contemporary Japanese artists such as Yoshitomo Nara, recently opened its first Tokyo outpost in the area. The angular fifth-floor space hovers serenely above the colourful shopping crowds, with a wall of glass framing unexpectedly calming views of the dense green forests surrounding nearby Meiji Shrine.

The gallery, which opened in September last year with an inaugural exhibition by Dave Muller, is a timely addition to Tokyo’s energetic art scene, according to its expert British director, Ashley Rawlings. “Typically, people tend to focus on New York and London, plus places such as Paris, LA and Berlin,” he explains. “But within Asia, Tokyo is definitely the region’s biggest and best-kept secret. And when you go beyond visual art and put it in a bigger context — looking at food, film, fashion, architecture, music, design — Tokyo is a cultural superpower. It’s just enormous.”

Eye-catchers (above) Inside Roppongi’s National Arts Center; artist Kiyoko Abe’s work in the Artist Dragon Room at Park Hotel Tokyo (right) (previous page) A photographer gets up-close to Dots Obsession by artist Yayoi Kusama at Mori Art Gallery

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Tokyo

Wall art (above) The geometric Prada store façade in Aoyama

BEYOND THE GALLERIES Sampling the delights of Tokyo’s art scene, however, need not be confined to the four white walls of a minimalist art gallery: a brisk stroll away to Aoyama, via nearby treelined Omotesando boulevard, will take visitors to A to Z Cafe. Tucked away on the top floor of an unassuming building on a side street, the café space houses a string of artworks and installations by Yoshitomo Nara and Osaka-based design collective, graf. Seated among the mismatched furniture and a small wooden house in the centre of the café filled with artworks, visitors can tuck into dishes such as shrimp toast, soft shell crab and salads, with teas and wines also available.

Even Aoyama’s boutiques are works of art. A fiveminute stroll from the café will take you to the Prada boutique, encased in a glass building that looks like a crystal bursting from the concrete. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, its geometric façade of concave and convex glass panels play tricks on the eyes of passersby.

Hotels are also jumping on the art bandwagon. One pioneer of the art world is the Park Hotel Tokyo, a chic, modern design hotel in Shiodome, which is in the throes of creating an entire Artist Floor. Inspired by the concept of an artist-in-residence, the hotel has

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commissioned a range of Japanese artists to transform 31 guest rooms by 2016.

Some rooms are already open. Among them are the green walls of Artist Room Bamboo by Yoshitaka Nishikawa and the monochrome fantastical designs of sumi ink artist Kiyoko Abe’s Artist Dragon Room. The Artist Floor is also due to launch an art concierge service, to advise guests about exhibitions, galleries and events.

Palace Hotel, an elegantly designed landmark hotel near the Imperial Palace moat in Marunouchi, boasts an impressive art collection of 1,000-plus pieces, many of which have been exclusively commissioned from leading Japanese artists. The hotel also recently launched a bespoke art tour service. The service, dubbed Transcendent Tokyo, offers visitors the opportunity to take part in tours of the city’s art hotspots, led by editors from global art and culture curator, Blouin ARTINFO. “Although Tokyo is widely accessible and endlessly fascinating, especially for the bold and ever-curious, Japan’s art scene is so rich and diverse that the question of where to begin in one’s exploration can prove daunting to even the most independent traveller,” explains Masaru Watanabe, the hotel’s executive director and general manager.

IN TREATMENT CAROLINE EDEN ROUNDS UP EIGHT OF THE WORLD’S FINEST SPAS, FROM THE AUSTRIAN COUNTRYSIDE TO THE WESTERN GHATS AND DOWNTOWN LONDON. FLUFFY BATHROBE MANDATORY

The tranquil pool at ESPA Life at the Corinthia Hotel, London

HOLZHOTEL FORSTHOFALM Leogang, Austria In and around Austria’s Salzburgerland, it’s not just about skiing. Forsothofalm is a serene hideaway made entirely from fragrant timber, stone and glass, and Alpine bliss awaits all who enter here. The resort boasts a swoon-worthy rooftop swimming pool and a heavenly 1,000-square-metre ‘Sky Spa’, from which you can enjoy 360-degree views of the craggy Leogang stone mountains and breathe in the fresh Alpine meadow air. The person to know is spa manager — or ‘spa fairy’ — Claudia Widauer, whose family owns the resort. She greets many clients personally (when she isn’t out foraging for herbs in the local meadows) and is a mine of wellness information. There is something for every kind of stressed-out soul at Forsthofalm. There’s the hammock chill-out space with its incredible mountain views, the all-natural Bio pond in the gardens (basically a real pond without the frogs and mud) and delightful treatments. Some of the simplest tonics are the most effective, such as the fresh rosebud footbath and the detoxifying timber-scented Forest Massage with cacao butter. +43 6583 8545; www.forsthofalm.com

Spas

hilton shillim estate retreat & spa Pune, India A three-hour drive out of Mumbai will take you to the Western Ghats and the serene Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, which spans 1,400 hectares of privately-owned forest and jungle. Guests here enjoy birdsong, the natural sound of running water, and the feeling of being very far away from India’s din and chaos. The resort’s Spa Zone spans a whopping 28 hectares and a choice of 90 treatments take place in 17 treatment rooms. Given its sheer scale, this resort never feels busy despite the range of options available. On-site Masters excel in a whole range of local practices including pranic healing, Ayurveda, Shamanism, fire healing, music therapy, dance therapy and yoga.

This is a visionary retreat with superb service that kicks-back against its ‘Hilton’ moniker and one that deserves more attention from spa aficionados. +91 21 1471 2468; www3.hilton.com

palais namaskar Marrakech, Morocco Five-star fever has changed the face of Marrakech’s hotel scene and the result of this citywide facelift is a plethora of world-class hotels and spas. Palais Namaskar is one of the very best examples. Popular with VIPs and celebrities and designed by Philippe Soulier, it is a fantastical space of huge villas and manicured gardens with no less than two hectares of water features. Hidden behind blossoming trees and foliage, Le Spa Namaskar is one of the best wellness centres in the city. Directed by ila and Guerlain, the spa incorporates all-natural ingredients and proven techniques within a huge range of therapies. Therapists work in four individual cabins complete with private outside terraces, or the two ‘couple cabins’ boasting private hammams. Attentive and intuitive, the therapists work wonders on stressed-out skin, jet lag and knotted muscles. The atmosphere is exclusive and serene, and there are no busy waiting areas, chatting or phones ringing — all too common disturbances at other top spas in Morocco. +212 5 2429 9800; www.palaisnamaskar.com

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Gourmet Your ultimate guide to fine dining

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cr eat i v e d i r ect i o n The dishes at Tate Hong Kong are like works of art, says Vicky Lau, the restaurant’s leading lady — and Asia’s number-one female chef

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Discovering Dubai’s dynamic food scene Gourmet news from around the world A chef’s guide to Buenos Aires Introducing Asia’s best female chef Cognac: beyond mere brandy A visit to Hong Kong’s Bread Street Kitchen

Taste of... dubai

To fully appreciate Dubai’s multitude of cultures, look no further than its dining scene: take homegrown traditions, add a dash of modern cookery (and a few celebrity chefs), and stir Words: Rebecca Haddad

Zuma’s seared tuna salad

pumpkin tortellini at sted CU Roa T

gras Foie

with apple ga lette at Th

vy eI

Dubai is accustomeD to ostentatiousness, showcasing the biggest and the best in the realms of architecture, events and design. Like the impossibly speedy rate of the city's urban development, Dubai’s dining scene seems to be in fast-forward; a plethora of international outposts, celebrity chef franchises and high-end homegrown establishments opening almost weekly.

Combine these factors with the city’s incredibly multicultural population encompassing more than 200 nationalities, and you have a recipe for one of the most diverse food scenes in the world.

The cultural richness of Dubai is very well represented in the high-end restaurant scene, from legendary establishments that have been standing since long before the Burj Khalifa and World Islands, to the modern restaurants where chefs old and young create culinary waves with revolutionary ideas in their kitchens every day. In the midst of all of this, tradition has been returning to main focus with authentic Arabic flavours mingling on diner palates with the flavours of classic European cuisine and exotic Asian recipes.

Of course, there are the naysayers who suggest that Dubai’s dining scene is too sterile and lacks authenticity, not least in the fact that the sandy terrior seems like the most unlikely place on

earth to cultivate fresh produce. But within this mushrooming dining scene, Dubai’s local farmers are enjoying a taste of the spotlight, with chefs eager to use local produce wherever possible to feed gourmands over lunch hour and for dinner.

It’s quite easy to take a culinary tour of the world in Dubai, with exclusive dining experiences to be had from the Marina on one end of the city to the Creek on the other. Such is the diversity of the cuisine, it almost goes without saying that defining a ‘Dubai’ chef or type of cuisine is near impossible; truthfully, one such definition doesn’t yet exist.

Despite the gourmet food scene still being in its infancy compared to the cuisines of other major global cities, Dubai has been holding its own quite impressively, with the likes of local outpost Zuma making it to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List, and the plethora of food events that take place throughout the year. With the annual Taste of Dubai festival returning next month — and no Michelin star rating system to put the pressure on the city’s kitchens as yet — now is as good a time as ever to discover the cuisine culture of this jewel of the Emirates. Whether it’s an intimate dining experience with a view to remember or a boisterous feast of share plates with friends, expect your palate to be surprised.

Mixed grills at Al Nafoorah

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Spend It unique experiences and stylish essentials

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b r i g h t you n g t h i n g Riding with the top down is surely the only way to go in the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

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Itineraries to inspire your next adventure Elegant essentials for stylish travellers New offerings from Mercedes and Alfa Romeo Chevrolet’s Corvette Stingray Convertible Eddie Jordan’s Blush is ready to charter Anantara’s Al Sahel Villa Resort, Sir Bani Yas

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Essentials

New-season watches, timeless gems, writing instruments that reflect true greatness... you’ll not want to be without these next time you travel

Red-carpet ready With the plethora of VIP parties at the first round of fashion weeks for the year filling up the calendar, sartorial stakes are high. This necklace of 19 pear-shaped aquamarines, blue and purple sapphires and 17.5 carats of diamonds should leave fashion rivals in your wake.

POA; www.bulgari.com

3 Essentials

Making a statement The Sixties and Seventies were two decades of freedom and creativity.

The jet set came of age and experimented with style, without losing a sense of ostentatiousness; traits that inspired the Extreme Piaget collection. This white-gold ring of six carats of diamonds and a 7.65-carat sapphire encapsulates the spirit of the era, and will be a head-turning addition to your transitional jet set wardrobe.

POA; piaget.com

Scents of sophistication Joining the ‘C’ and ‘V’ in Clive Christian’s Private Collection is ‘L’, which completes the trilogy of elegant scents from this master perfumer who once created the world’s most expensive perfume (Clive Christian No. 1). The women’s fragrance blends fruits and florals, with pepper, rose, jasmine, cedar, vanilla and musk notes, while the male variant is spicier with grapefruit, rose, fir balsam, musk and oud.

From $530 for 50ml; perfume.clive.com

About face With Vacheron Constantin celebrating its 260th year, they were bound to start off with a bang. In the world of fine timepieces, that means a watch with entirely hand-engraved movements. The level of detail in the two new additions to the Métiers d’Art collection makes the watch look like it contains a microuniverse in its platinum case, enriches its with two new timepieces equipped with entirely hand-engraved movements. Both calibers 2260 and 4400 are adorned with acanthus leaf motifs, engraved to an impressive depth of two-tenths of a millimetre in parts.

POA; www.vacheron-constantin.com

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ON THE ROAD MERCEDES-BENZ C 450 AMG 4MATIC

Mercedes-Benz is beefing up its AMG range with the new 2016 C 450 AMG 4MATIC. The sporty addition combines a three-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine with a cutting-edge all-wheel-drive system, as well as sophisticated suspension technology that’s been swiped from the AMG C 63, its slightly older V8 brother. The 450 is based on the 400, which is the most powerful production model of the C-Class, though many of the techy features have been revised to allow drivers to come to grips with more authentic driving dynamics.

That means added agility and a more intense handing experience overall, which is aided by the electro-mechanical speed-sensitive sports steering support, purposed to help the car track along a precise line. Then there’s the optimised AMG-specific steering ratio, which will be most noticeable in ‘Sport Plus’ mode. The sports model is available as an estate, but you’ll have to wait until the middle of this year for the sexier saloon option to start rolling off the production line.

Engine: 3.0-litre, twin turbo V6 Power: 362 bhp Torque: 520 Nm 0–100 kph: 4.9 s Top speed: 250 kph Fuel consumption: 7.6 l/100 km CO2 emissions: 178 g/km Origin: Stuttgart, Germany Price: undisclosed

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Sail away

BLush suNsEEKER YAChTs

If you think you’ve seen this yacht before, you’d be right. Formula 1 mogul Eddie Jordan received delivery of this vessel early last year, and now it’s available to charter.

Blush, the largest yacht that Sunseeker has ever built, can be booked for a week or ten days at a time, and with Eddie Jordan as its owner, you can expect nothing but the best from bow to stern, with interiors akin to a swanky hotel. The GBP 32 million ($48 million) tri-deck vessel, which was 18 months in the making, can accommodate up to 10 guests in a full-beam master suite with private balcony, two double staterooms on the main deck and two twin staterooms on the lower deck. Of course, it wouldn’t be a party boat without a few spaces for day and night revelry — that’s where the upper deck Jacuzzi, beach club, nightclub and full-length bar really come into their own.

Year: 2014 Length: 47 m Beam: 9.34 m Draught: 2.25 m Top speed: 19 knots Price: from EUR 200,000 ($243,350) per week www.sunseeker.com

ON THE WATER THIS MONTH MiAMi iNTERNATiONAl BOAT SHOW February 12–16 Miami, USA www.miamiboatshow.com

lOS ANgElES BOAT SHOW

February 19–22 Los Angeles, USA www.losangelesboatshow.com

CANNES DRAgON gRAND PRix February 25–28 Cannes, France www.intdragon.net

dotwnews.com

February 2015

143

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