Browsing Tag

Seafood

travel

Niyama: The Ultimate Wellness Weekend

Posted on February 18, 2018

A weekend away in the Maldives is a special adventure, whether you’re headed to a divers paradise, honeymoon hotel or even embarking upon a working retreat, the azure blue of the sea is as mesmerising out of the plane window as it is from the island itself. A short sea-plane ride from the capital lies Niyama, an island that’s got plenty for you to explore with 4 km’s of jungle and beach, that you can wander around by bicycle.

From the beach villas, looking out on your private pool is as postcard-worthy as it is stepping out beyond onto your slice of beach. You could get lost watching the waves gently take back some of their land with every kiss of the beach, as the sun slowly dips below the horizon, casting an electric orange glow across the open ocean that lies in front of you. If like me you’re only missing an umbrella-clad coconut from this picture… rest assured there’s plenty around.

A whole host of restaurants dot the shoreline that vary from themed a la carte offerings to bespoke fish markets with plenty of fresh catch to choose from. The reef fish is a must-try, a little disconcerting if you’ve just been snorkeling with them at sunset mind but you’ll soon learn to adjust to island life.

What’s totally unique if you’re not too keen on getting to grips with the marine life the more traditional way (by getting wet) is their underwater restaurant, located on it’s own little sunset hotspot just off the island’s coast. A quick pontoon ride away and you’ve landed at ‘Subsix’ which turns in to a nightclub and a bit of a glow party once the sun goes down. Dancing with the fish is a new one on me…

The pièce de résistance for me is the newly opened a fully functioning surf bar at the very tip of the island. A shoreline entry with some beautifully cresting waves on the most impossibly clear water. Don’t be surprised if a turtle pops his head up to say hello too!

travel

Huvafen Fushi: An Island of Idyllic Proportions

Posted on June 13, 2017

The Maldives never get old…

Visiting another one of these exquisite islands is nothing but a privilege and landing on Huvafen Fushi, (Fushi means island) we were greeted with an entire Maldivian marching band! it’s a much smaller island to navigate than others i’ve visited, with believe it or not, even more honeymoon corners to explore. It’s the first time we’ve come across an island that’s a bit more health-conscious too, with a healthy breakfast bar and plenty of seafood specials in the evening.

When your only goal is to relax, a unique 200* glass paneled, underwater spa is your ultimate destination for a little R&R. You can enjoy all their beautiful house reef has to offer; an abundance of turtles and black tips to lionfish and eagle rays, there’s always something to get your go-pro going. What’s even more exquisite is re-visiting the spa at night with their resident marine biologist Beth, who’ll show you around the underwater world with a black light. This is where the giant GT’s and moray eels prefer to say hello and with bioluminescent corals giving off fluorescent ‘sunscreen’ colours, it’s an entirely different paradise.

If you’re like me and prefer to get a little more hands-on, then hang around the beach at sunset to meet ‘Cutie’, ‘Holly’ and a whole host of personality filled giant stingrays that like clockwork will swing by to say hello! Dream come true!

The water villas are exceptional, infinity pools off the deck, Jacuzzi tubs facing the sunset and a glass floor in the middle of the living room to make sure that when those rays swim underneath, you don’t miss a thing! You really only leave the villa to remind yourself that you aren’t alone on the island, although we barely saw any other guests in the fully booked out resort. It’s truly the kind of island that helps give the Maldives its honeymooner reputation!

A Seafood ‘Shellebration’ at Pier Chic!

Posted on August 18, 2016

Pier Chic is one of my favourite seafood restaurants in Dubai. It really is the epitome of fine-dining with its beautiful location out on the water at the end of the Al Qasr jetty. This (so special it should be saved for anniversaries only) hotspot is becoming more and more open and accessible too, with a whole host of delicious dining influences popping up. I jumped at the chance to check out their new six week seafood programme aptly named a ‘shellebration’ of the sea!

Chef Paul Lupton is the man behind this summer-curated concept, which is available from the 22nd of July –> the 4th of September. It boasts a weekly change in Pier Chic’s food focus, where you can expect to be taken on a journey through European coastal regions, enjoying all the fruit de la mar you could ever want. There’s a piece of the sea for everyone, with culinary themes such as; Marseilles Seafood Market, Valencian Seafood Paella and the Feast of St Antony, it’s a slice of (real) summertime.

There’s nothing I love more than a good fish & chips, so I was not going to miss sampling Pier Chic’s take on this British staple… and let me tell you – it was DELICIOUS! I may be biased because I love the venue, but honestly, that was the most chic fish & chips I’ve ever tried! Don’t let my snapchat fool you – I couldn’t put my fork down long enough to do it justice photographically.

Check out the schedule here:
Week 1: Marseilles Seafood Market
Week 2: Valencian Seafood Paella
Week 3: Feast of St Antony, Portugal’s Sardine Festival
Week 4: Posh Fish & Chic
Week 5: Amalfi Coast
Week 6: Galician Octopus Fiesta

Hotspot

Brunch is Back: Novikov At A Glance

Posted on July 26, 2016

I’ve never really been a fan of brunch. The loud crowds, high heels / short dresses and inevitable fight for the food, not to mention the 100 pounds-a-head price tag… I’d rather book a flight somewhere for the weekend thanks!

But there’s a few on my radar that have helped to quell that initial horror when someone with a Birthday mentions one. Having checked into Novikov last week for their re-opening post Ramadan, I have to say it’s slowly bringing me round to the idea of trying a few more.

Novikov is a London based institution that’s known for it’s famous faces as much as its food. Dubai’s hotspot is located in the Sheraton Grand Hotel on the Sheikh Zayed Road, featuring an Asian inspired menu. I have to say that atmosphere-wise it was a little dry, as in there was a real lack of it. There was a DJ who played my kind of lounge music, lovely staff who were completely attentive and helpful but for the size of the venue (it’s enormous – think Buddha lounge but all on one floor), it needs to be fuller to feel like we weren’t just having a nice lunch. It was just post-Ramadan and everyone right now seems to be in Greece/Ibiza/St Tropez according to my Instagram so I’m sure it will be full again in no time!

The best part of the experience is their fresh market, where you can select from a whole host of fresh seafood or vegetables and have them cooked to your requirements. The seafood is a little too fresh for my liking (the lobster winked at me) but the veggies were delicious!

I tried and LOVED the Miso soup

Vegetable Maki

Mushroom Dim Sum

Black Cod