From chic hand-crafted cocktails to farm-to-table to anti-inflammatory gourmet delights and more, these foodie options fit the bill for clients with demanding palates.
Hidden Treasures
Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel, is set to open Potter’s Bar, a new speakeasy-inspired lounge, this month. The venue will pay homage to the Prohibition era, as well as the hotel’s historic connections to the period.
Potter’s Bar is inspired by the city’s speakeasy scene and the hotel’s underground tunnels, which were once used for secret liquor transportation. The cocktail program will spotlight the “illicit” spirits that formed the basis of today’s classic cocktails, with signature 3-5 ingredient drinks. Light, shareable bites will also be served, including a charcuterie board, sliders and spicy tots.
And there’s more: Secret offerings will be accessible through the hotel’s concierge text message service, including a hidden “secret menu” featuring cocktails named after elite clientele of the past and delicious dessert and cocktail pairings.
For more information, visit potterschicago.com.
Velas Expands Gourmet Offerings
Mexico’s Grand Velas Resorts are taking the country’s traditional mezcal and mole and creating unique pairings that showcase their rich flavors and cultural significance. At the AAA 5-Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on the Pacific Coast, your clients can indulge in a trilogy of mezcal and mole pairings, featuring dishes like octopus confit with pink mole, tlacoyo filled with grasshoppers and aged cheese in black mole and chicken roulade with green pipian. (These tasting sessions are offered at an additional cost.)
On the Caribbean coast, Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s complimentary tasting pairs various moles with spirits like charanda, bacanora, sotol, mezcal and white tequila, highlighting the complementary flavors and aromas of each combination.
And, in celebration of International Mole Day on October 7, Grand Velas Los Cabos and Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos will offer special tasting sessions, included in the nightly rate, featuring a range of mezcals and perfectly paired mole dishes.
Meanwhile, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is taking gourmet wellness in-suite with its new menu featuring anti-inflammatory food and beverages. The dishes incorporate ingredients rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, such as leafy greens, red fruits, fish and nuts, which have been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation and promote overall health.
The new menu offers a variety of nutritious and flavorful dishes, including a pear, barley, and vegetable salad, vegan hamburgers and tofu montaditos. Gluten-free pizza options and an assortment of healthy beverages, such as juices, teas, infusions and alternative kinds of milk (think oat, soy, almond, etc.), are also available. The menu concludes with a guilt-free coconut and berry mousse (score!)
The anti-inflammatory in-suite dining menu is included in the resort’s all-inclusive nightly rate, ensuring your clients can maintain their eating habits while enjoying a personalized culinary experience on vacay.
For more information, visit grandvelas.com.
Farm-to-Table in Todos Santos
If you have clients looking for “fresh-from-the-vine” in Baja, they’ll want to know that Chef Gaz Herbert, Director of Culinary Projects at Todos Santos Boutique Hotel, literally handpicks fresh, organic produce daily from nearby Agricole farm for the hotel’s restaurant, 1890. The truly farm-to-table culinary program features a visiting chef series, hosting renowned talents like Chef Flynn McGarry (Gem, Gem Wine) in February and celebrated Mexican Chef Lucho Martinez (Em) on May 4, 2024.
1890 offers guests meals made with the freshest ingredients, mostly harvested on the same day. Clients who want to take a peek at where it all comes from can request a tour of Agricole farm led by Chef Gaz to learn more about the product’s origin. The menu focuses on freshness, color and seasonality, with highlights including simple salads, hearty mains like ravioli with ripe heirloom tomatoes and beautiful desserts showcasing Agricole’s strawberries.
For more information, visit agricole.mx.
Indulging in La Dolce Vita
Hotel La Palma, the first Oetker Collection Masterpiece Hotel in Italy, reopened this month on the island of Capri. Under the culinary direction of Italian chef Gennaro Esposito, the hotel has become a foodie destination.
Gennaro’s, the main restaurant, offers authentic Italian cuisine in a 1950s ambiance. Signature dishes include homemade cavatelli pasta and turbot with green bean pesto. The theatrical Gueridon service is all part of the dining experience, fostering, as the press statement says, “a dynamic Chef-Guest interaction.”
La Palma Bar & Terrace, overlooking Via Vittorio Emanuele, is the perfect spot for an aperitivo or morning coffee. For lunch, your clients can enjoy pasta, salads and snacks, followed by Neapolitan baba or house-made gelato.
Bianca, the rooftop garden restaurant and lounge bar with a Josper Charcoal Oven, is perfect for meat cuts, fresh fish and seafood. Live DJs and vibrant music create an unforgettable night out. Clients will also enjoy Da Gioia by La Palma, the beach club in Marina Piccola, with its fresh, locally sourced produce and great Italian flavors. The hotel’s rooftop pool is overlooked by the swish Aqua Bar, exclusively for hotel guests.
For more information, visit oetkercollection.com.
Gourmet Goes Grander at The Dolder Grand
The Dolder Grand in Zurich will host the ninth edition of THE EPICURE, an international gourmet festival founded by Michelin-starred chef Heiko Nieder, from July 2-7, 2024. The event will feature top chefs from around the world, including German chef Stefan Stiller, who has been awarded three Michelin stars.
Each evening, Heiko Nieder will collaborate with a different guest chef to create an exceptional eight-course menu with unique pairings. The grand finale on Sunday will showcase signature dishes from numerous top-class guest chefs at various live cooking stations.
The official line-up, which includes chefs from France, the Netherlands, Poland, the UK, Denmark, and Austria, will be announced on April 18, 2024. The Dolder Grand, a legendary hotel celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2024, offers 175 luxurious guestrooms and jaw-dropping views and has established itself as a destination for culinary delights, art and wellness.
For more information, visit thedoldergrand.com.
Mezcal & Mexico in Covent Garden
The hotel NoMad London is set to host a Mexican-inspired culinary experience on May 5-6, 2024. On Sunday, May 5, Side Hustle at NoMad London will feature mezcal-infused cocktails crafted by Liana Oster, NoMad London’s bar director, and Peter Sanchez, Global Brand Ambassador for The Lost Explorer Mezcal and bar director of ARCA. Your clients will nosh on small plates inspired by Mexico’s culinary heritage while they sip their drinks.
The next day, NoMad’s main restaurant will offer a 6-course tasting menu created by executive chef Jose Luis Hinostroza of ARCA and NoMad London’s culinary team, led by executive chef Zak Gregoire and executive sous chef Juan Hernandez. Each chef will present three dishes, showcasing a fusion of culinary techniques and flavors, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and open-fire cooking. The menu will be accompanied by optional mezcal pairings and live music, evoking a Tulum-inspired experience.
Of note: NoMad London is housed in the historic Grade II-listed Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station in Covent Garden.
For more information, visit thenomadhotel.com.
Wine With Everything
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites in Mendoza, Argentina, owned by renowned female winemakers Susana Balbo and her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo, offers your clients an extraordinary wine experience—and then some.
The hotel provides exclusive Air Safaris aboard private seaplanes, exploring the Andes Mountains and Esteros del Ibera while diving into the region’s winemaking heritage. Wine connoisseurs on your list will love the sommelier-led Ultra-Premium Wine Tastings featuring rare varietals like Per Se La Craie Gualtallary and Zuccardi Gravascal Malbec.
As for dining, Chef Flavia and Sous Chef Luis Narvaez have created a 14-course or 7-course dining experience at the Chef’s Table, inspired by the hotel’s signature art piece, Sergio Roggerone’s Tree of Life, and paired with Susana Balbo wines. The Experience Curator arranges various activities, from outdoor adventures to culinary classes and guided wine tours.
In-room spa treatments focus on vinotherapy, with mud wraps infused with red wine must and grape polyphenol-enriched treatments. Your clients can also create a personalized wine blend under expert guidance, from grape selection to bottling.
For more information, visit susanabalboahotels.com.
