Travel
Dining with a world-class view, atop a volcanic ridge above the Caribbean Sea.
A
LAderA resort, st.LuciA by Mark StevenS
s my wife and I ascend the
Nigel Mitchel, whose menu features produce
stairway leading to our table
from neighbouring plantations along with
in the Dasheene Restaurant
herbs and spices grown in their onsite organic
at St. Lucia’s Ladera Resort, I
garden. To this day I remember those scallops
stop to savour the view from
with nothing short of intoxication (though
this restaurant that clings
such might have been helped by an offering of
to the crest of a precipitous volcanic ridge 300 metres above the Caribbean Sea. The view could bring tears to the eyes of the
most seasoned traveller. The sun has begun to fall, etching shadows
A handful of years have passed since the first time we visited Ladera, years in which I remembered the views—and the dining—with sheer delight.
onto the face of the Pitons dead ahead, gilding
Though Orlando Satchell, the chef who
the waters far below, burnishing the hardwood
prepared that first repast, no longer commands
bar on the restaurant’s lower level. Beside the
the kitchen, tonight’s offering will be equally
bar a musician in a floral print shirt serenades
worthy of reminiscence. I also learn, to my
us with infectious island grooves accompanied
delight, that Orlando’s opened his own place
by a chorus of tree frogs.
in nearby Soufriere. Promise to tear yourself
Three thoughts strike me almost simultaneously:
52
one of their 500 unique wine labels).
away from Ladera at least once during your
This is paradise. Paradise is a perfect place for
stay. Travel and Leisure just ranked Orlando’s
pampering. I deserve pampering.
among the world’s best restaurants; his take on
Said pampering begins at a table with the
fish and chips is truly worthy of paradise. But
best view in the world, where we indulge in fare
be forewarned: once you achieve Ladera you’d
worthy of paradise, thanks to executive chef
be hard put to leave in spite of the fact that
LUXE magazinE canada winter 2021