Chef’s Tables & Open Kitchen Experiences We Can’t Wait To Try
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During this time, let’s not forget about the experiences that we love, because fear not, we will be able to enjoy their magnificence once again! From close food encounters with friends and family to tastings and immersive experiences, food is undeniably universal, possessing the power to bring us all closer together — we’ll certainly be in need of some of that once life has returned to normality!
Restaurants that offer chef’s tables and open kitchens are only getting more creative, with presentations that wow just as much (or more) than the food itself. We can assuredly say that we’ll be booking ourselves into a handful once these beautiful stays are fully operational and ready to welcome us with open arms.
Alila Seminyak – Bali, Indonesia
Alila Seminyak offers culinary pleasures of a gastronomic journey that will have your taste buds dancing and singing through each of the five courses. Here at the Seasalt restaurant, the food is unique in its western flavours; each brilliant creation is paired with crafty cocktails for a true awakening of the senses. You can be sure that the seasonal ingredients are not only of the freshest variety, but blend together seamlessly for a memorable experience. Next door at the bar, the mixologists work in tandem with the kitchen to make sure the party doesn’t stop at your plate!
Vivian Vitalis is the extremely talented star of the Seasalt, at one of the most amazing resorts in Bali. The island itself inspires his flair for creating recipes that follow their standard for using locally-sourced, fresh ingredients. Meet with the chef himself as he explains how the magic happens.
You don’t have to travel far to retire for the night when you book your stay at Alila. The name itself is Sanskrit for ‘surprise’ and the hotel’s philosophy is that of ‘surprisingly different.’ Just steps away is the sand and surf of Bali’s beaches, creating the perfect blend of peace and tranquility meets uplifting local nightlife. Take in the allure of the sea from your own floor to ceiling balcony, then retire to soothing, dark-wood interiors.
The Siam – Bangkok, Thailand
In the amazing sprawling madhouse that is Bangkok, comes a tasteful experience like no other. A cooking school by day will become your indulgent Chef’s Table by evening at Chon. Your very own master of the culinary arts will present to you dish after dish. It is a journey where you don’t have to leave, rather, let the journey come to you.
Your Thai-inspired experience will be curated to your liking, and brought to you either in-house or on The Siam’s riverside lawn. Your culinary experience will take place in The Siam’s urban retreat, nestled amongst the city’s historical places.
After your meal, you may well want to attend the cooking school, where you too can master the art of Thai cuisine through private classes. Your exclusive lesson will include a trip to the market followed by a culinary instruction where you will learn to prepare three of your favorite Thai dishes.
For the jet-set crowd, a stay at The Siam offers plenty of opportunity to schmooze with new friends at the Café Cha, with baked treats, coffee and tea with exotic infusions, and pristine views of the Chao Phraya River. Or opt for hunkering down in your room, and ordering room service with Thai Bento Boxes.
This villa-style property also offers a delectable spa, screening room, Muay Thai boxing ring and yes, even a tattoo studio set among lush green gardens with interiors inspired by colonial Thailand from the 1960s.
A message from The Siam...
“It has become obvious in the current environment that the Sukosol family has to take the difficult decision to suspend all operations at The Siam effective 1st April 2020. This decision is taken with the view of the health and safety of the team at The Siam and our guests. Additionally, with current travel restrictions in place worldwide, it is not feasible or responsible to maintain operations with so few guests still traveling.
We will closely monitor the situation in the coming weeks and hope to confirm a date when we can look forward to welcoming guests back to our home by the Chao Phraya river once again. Obviously we will make this decision at the earliest opportunity as long as we feel confident we can provide our usual renowned service levels in a safe and comfortable environment.
We welcome anyone to contact us directly for further clarification regarding existing reservations or plans to visit Bangkok in the future and will remain as flexible and accommodating as possible.
In the meantime, our thoughts are with those directly affected and impacted by COVID-19 and we wish everyone the best possible health and happiness in these challenging times.”
Los Poblanos – Albuquerque, USA
Come dine as only the rugged, pure folk of the American Southwest do, and in grand style with their own special brand of the field-to-fork concept. CAMPO is a fine-dining experience situated inside Los Poblanos. With a menu that constantly changes with the seasons, you can be sure that the ingredients will be as indigenous as the chefs are passionate about bringing you an authentic experience.
Their Chef's Table offers a personalised 8-course dining experience with seasonal ingredients in an open kitchen restaurant from a communal, counter-style table. It is an immersive experience where you can interact with Executive Chef Jonathan Perno’s team as they prepare your meal.
Bon Appétit Magazine christened Los Poblanos as “Top 10 Hotel for Food Lovers in America.” The Bar Campo can’t help but keep up the pace by offering tasty cocktails served fresh using only organic ingredients and small-batch-aged spirits.
When you are not “oohing” and “aahing” over the farm-fresh creations offered to you for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on site, you can wander into the Farm Shop in the property’s historic renovated dairy barn and load up on a picnic lunch to take with you for a day of sightseeing. Fresh artisan bread will be baked each morning in their old-fashioned European bread oven and is the stuff of sandwich heaven.
With Los Poblanos’ 50 guest rooms, those who come will be treated to a stay in a working organic farm. The rich agricultural history of the place shines through in every detail, from the comfort and beautiful space that is your room, to the intimate nature of the lavender fields just outside.
A message from Los Poblanos...
“Effective Sunday, April 12, we have decided to temporarily suspend Campo Curbside and the bricks and mortar operations in the Farm Shop's Farm Foods market. We have been so thrilled to have your support as we've experimented with these new business models, and it has been heartwarming to see our community queuing up in their cars for Campo Curbside meals and Farm Shop pick up orders. However, as we are hopefully entering the last phase of sheltering at home and social distancing, we think it is important to be as cautious as possible. Closing our gates for a few weeks will ensure the safety of our essential employees on the farm, as well as further encourage our community to stay home. We are tentatively planning to resume these services by May 1, in keeping with our Governor's order, and will reassess as we get closer to that date.
We are grateful for your continued support of the Farm Shop online, which will continue to offer complimentary shipping on all orders, including essential lavender and food products to weather through this storm. Please stay safe, and we look forward to getting back to work and seeing you on the farm in the future!”
CHAO, Beijing – China
Begin your Chinese culinary adventure with a home-food inspired meal at The Living Room, where food service will be casual yet refined. And when you just need a quiet place to relax, steal away to The Library. Here you will be able to enjoy afternoon tea and light refreshments among a wide variety of old-school books to take you on a journey of the mind.
But the real experience is in CHAO Beijing's Drawing Room! No, this is not a game of Cluedo — rather a gastronomical pathway to an open kitchen with tasting events, cooking classes and even high tea. It all culminates to give guests an individually crafted fine dining experience. Not feeling particularly social? Well then, you’re in luck because you can still have a wonderful meal with a unique in-room dining experience. Modular entrées and fully serviced meals suited to your individual taste will give you a new perspective on how we engage with food.
This contemporary property will sooth the eyes of anyone with a love of architecture and design. The perfect base for exploring China’s capital, it is a labour of love that encourages all who stay to integrate within the local community. A minimalistic theme inspired by Germany’s Architekten, focuses on large spaces with lots of natural light. It will be a welcome respite after a busy day of sightseeing (we can’t wait!) in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
Locanda al Colle – Tuscany, Italy
Here at Locanda al Colle, your culinary journey will begin the moment you are awakened by the smell of fresh coffee and pastries wafting into your room from the property’s nearby kitchen. It is here that every edible item is made in-house, lovingly by chefs and their team, who make it their life’s work to ensure your belly is not only full, but in total bliss.
Sweet and savoury is what keeps the spirit alive and the taste buds singing, and breakfast is always served from 9 to 11 am (not too early and not too late). All ingredients are brought in from local markets and producers.
Wednesday and Saturday evenings with Chef Gian Luca are extra special at the open kitchen. He cut his chops at a Michelin restaurant and came to Locanda al Colle seeking a convivial atmosphere with which to recreate traditional dishes in a contemporary way with his special brand of skill. He found it here! You will be able to join him as he prepares his dishes based on traditional recipes from Versilia, and brings it to your refined palate, and for those interested, there are some cooking lessons available for guests.
And when you surrender to the night, this hotel truly becomes your home. It boasts informal yet luxurious surroundings, with a surprisingly inviting mix of vintage and Art Deco furniture. The warm country house feel of your room lends itself to the sophistication felt.
Alila Villas Uluwatu – Bali, Indonesia
The Warung checks all of the boxes when it comes to an authentic Indonesian laid-back dining experience. Whether you choose to make new friends at one of the communal tables, or opt for something a little more private and romantic at one of their private tables, The Warung never fails to deliver traditional Balinese and Indonesian fare in a convivial atmosphere.
Located in the gorgeous designer resort of Alila Villas Uluwatu, if the glorious views of the Indian Ocean don’t get your stomach rumbling, the delicious smells coming from the kitchen most certainly will. To get the full experience, you simply must try the “Uluwatu” – eleven tapas-like dishes that are the Chef’s selection. Dine on such delights as jack fruit salad with pork, shredded chicken with chilli and lime, or minced duck in banana leaf. Delicate spices are weaved throughout, and don’t be shy to ask for the recipe to your favourite dish, as the Chef will most certainly give it to you!
You will be impressed with the stunning façade of the Alila Villas Uluwatu, with a design so innovative it blends in with the surrounding lushness of green. Located on the edge of a cliff, the architecture meshes so perfectly along the cliffside above the Indian Ocean so as to become a part of it. In your private pool villa, traditional Balinese accents provide a minimalist feel as the cool ocean breeze circulates throughout.
