From fresh seafood served with a side of ocean views to dream cocktails aboard luxury cruises to a culinary “journey of discovery,” here are some delicious additions to offer your clients.
New Restaurant Concept at Mar del Cabo
Located halfway between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, Mar del Cabo boutique hotel recently debuted Encanto Farm & Sea, a new coastal restaurant concept from Mexican hospitality brand Velas Resorts. Patrons can now enjoy executive chef Mario Rueda’s dishes showcasing local and fresh flavors of Baja California. With the sustainability of the ecological, social, cultural and economic environment forefront over 90% of the ingredients for the restaurant come from nearby fruit and vegetable orchards, ranches and producers.
Highlights of the menu include Local Corn Velouté, made with roasted corn, epazote, cotija cheese, and chili oil; Miraflores Vegetable Salad, basil-hummus served with pickled organic vegetables from the “Tiki-farm” and fresh cheese from “El Carrizal”; Baja Mussels in Coconut Curry; Buttermilk Pancakes, topped with home-made jams; Local Sea Bass Ceviche, served with organic beets, citrus, jalapeño pepper, and sweet potato chips; and Grilled Chocolate Clams, topped with Gruyere cheese, white wine, citrus butter and charred lemon.
In addition to a variety of tequilas and other Mexican spirits, mocktails and traditional cocktails, a new mezcalita menu features flavors like basil, habanero pineapple and the indigenous Damiana.
For more information, visit mardelcabo.com.
Azamara’s Atlas Bar
Azamara’s Azamara Onward launched this spring and the exclusive Atlas Bar—an entire experience featuring a curated list of cocktails and an exotic premium menu—debuted with it. It was a hit, and now, beginning August 2022, guests aboard any Azamara voyage can enjoy the “Atlas Bar Experience,” offering some of the specialty venue’s most popular destination-inspired libations in The Den.
“The response from our guests about Atlas Bar has been even more positive than we had anticipated. The designer created a beautiful space that really complements the cocktail and food menus that our food and beverage team worked so hard to perfect. I couldn’t be more proud of the team’s work here, and we wanted to be able to offer the experience on our other ships, even if we didn’t have the same physical space,” said Scott Daniels, AVP of hotel operations for Azamara, in a press statement.
The “Atlas Bar Experience” will take place onboard Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Quest in The Den, an elegant lounge equipped with travel books, guides and destination-focused activities. Azamara’s skilled bartenders will curate specialty cocktails from Atlas Bar such as the “London Fog Martini,” “Tuscan Delight,” and guest favorite, “Heart of Azamara.” Atlas Bar’s premium food menu remains exclusive to Azamara Onward.
Highlights of destination-inspired concoctions at Atlas Bar, perfectly paired with upcoming Azamara voyages, include a Taste St. Tropez on Azamara Journey’s 7-Night Med Springtime Voyage; sip the Osaka Spice on Azamara Quest’s 12-Night Hong Kong to Tokyo Voyage; have a glass of the Grand Bazaar on Azamara Pursuit’s 12-Night Black Sea Intensive Voyage.
Azamara’s newest ship, Azamara Onward, home to the exclusive Atlas Bar, will set sail on January 5, 2024, from Fort Lauderdale for a 155-night World Voyage, including 22 overnight stays and 27 late nights in port.
For more information, visit azamara.com.
Explora Journeys’ Journey of Discovery
Explora Journeys recently announced its culinary and beverage “journey of discovery” across a total of 18 venues when it welcomes guests on board EXPLORA I for its Inaugural Journey in May 2023.
EXPLORA I has increased its offering and will showcase 11 culinary experiences across six restaurants plus in-suite dining, as well as 12 bars and lounges (eight indoor and four outdoor) and a chef’s kitchen where guests can discover and enjoy diverse flavors from around the world, inspired by the Ocean State of Mind. Whether in the interiors, by a pool or on a suite’s private terrace, every venue will be distinct. EXPLORA I offers a curated choice of restaurants, bars, and lounges.
In a press statement, Franck Garanger, head of culinary at Explora Journeys, commented: “Explora Journeys isn’t just an opportunity to travel the world, we also see it as a way for our guests to taste it too, actively discovering new cuisines and experiences. Worldly and well-traveled, our team brings enthusiasm for provenance along with a plethora of stories about the rare ingredients, which are hand-selected just for Explora Journeys. Set to deliver refined dining experiences that embrace authenticity and sustainability, we ensure each guest leaves with memories of their culinary journey onboard, being the finest at sea.”
Throughout the year wine selections will reflect the regional areas where the ship sails. An exclusive mixology program has been curated including a signature Ocean State of Mind cocktail using gin made with seaweed algae. Exclusive wine, whiskey and spirit tastings, pairings, cocktail-making masterclasses and Meet the Winemaker events will be held onboard, as well as wine-themed destination experiences ashore.
“A key element of differentiation for Explora Journeys is our passion for hand selecting and sourcing an eclectic beverage mix, including rare fine wines direct from vineyards, as well as exclusive premium brands, to curate a variety of cocktails including non-alcoholic and organic options,” said Thibaut Briançon, senior lead, Food and Beverage Services for Explora Journeys, in a press statement. “This will ensure our mixologists and sommeliers provide unique experiences for our discerning travelers.”
For connoisseur guests or those wishing to elevate their experience or celebrate a special occasion, an ultra-exquisite selection of wines, spirits and liqueurs will also be available for an additional fee.
Guests can enjoy inclusive dining and beverage experiences in restaurants, bars and lounges onboard. In addition, for those who are seeking to indulge in an award-winning dining experience, Anthology offers menus curated by the world’s most celebrated chefs and paired by illustrious winemakers for a one-of-a-kind guest chef experience onboard. An exclusive experience fee applies.
For more information, visit explorajourneys.com.
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur 
The iconic Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur is celebrating its powerhouse culinary team, chef’s garden, launch of its new lunch program, and newly inclusive menus for a range of dietary needs. Reylon Agustin now serves as Culinary Director of Post Ranch Inn with his longtime colleague Il Hoon Kang promoted to Executive Chef of the celebrated Sierra Mar restaurant. Additionally, Reylon and Hoon’s on-property garden is over-flowing with seasonal summer offerings, supplying 35 percent of the resort’s food. This summer, Sierra Mar also unveiled an entirely new lunch concept that offers an elevated, thoughtfully executed menu designed for a relaxed mid-day experience. Menus for all meals are also newly inclusive with extensive vegan and gluten-sensitive options that enhance the dining experience for all guests.
The culinary team recently unveiled a new prix-fixe lunch menu ($75/per person) is centered around a shared, family-style meal with a California-Mediterranean slant. The garden-centric menu will change daily but will always feature a handful of favorites. The menus have also been developed with a greater focus on inclusivity of dietary restrictions and requests, including plenty of gluten-free and -sensitive options.
For more information, visit postranchinn.com.
