Sunday, April 26, 2020

DINING WITH A VIEW

Step on an acme of culinary creativity and immerse in the breath-taking views

THIPTARA, DUBAI
Set in the opulent gardens of the Palace Downtown, Thiptara, translates into ‘magic at the water’ and absolutely live ups to its name with its impeccable location with implausible views of the Dubai Fountain which looks more mystic when it dances at night and the Burj Khalifa. Though the restaurant has full glass windows which gives an experience of being in the middle of the water; try and book your table in the alfresco section so you can watch the fountain show that happens every half an hour. The cuisine here is refined with the Chef assimilating the throng of fragrant spices to a tangy, sweet, spicy and savoury whole. The ‘Yam Som O’ a piquant salad made with Pomello and ‘Phed Sam Road’, duck Bbq are simply delightful. Traditional desserts make for a sweet ending to a possibly ‘chili hot’ meal. Recommendations go for the Asian fruity sorbet and mango sticky rice.
JAAN, SINGAPORE
Perched on the 70th floor of Swissotel - The Stamford, a spectacular skyline facing the Marina Bay district, the views would leave you enthralled and you would someway spend some time gawking across with a fall in love feeling. On the seasonal menu, Chef Kirk Westaway is reinventing British cuisine reflective of his heritage and is no 32 on the Asia’s 50 Best list. The freshly baked sourdough bread that comes with fresh Devonshire butter, sliced right beside the table is a mainstay. Jaan excites with its modest elegance, be it the dining air or the conceptualisation of its menu. The dishes are unswerving in terms of standards, striding of the courses are well-timed and the service is professional. Request for a window table for the best dining experience.
RAW, TAIPEI
The first thing that greets you are the gorgeous interiors. A wide, open plan dining room aesthetically adorned with arresting wooden assemblies and contemporary light fixtures. It is an image of modern, uncluttered elegant to compliment the alluring 8-course meal which awaits. Brainchild of ridiculously brilliant chef Andre Chiang, here sunny conversations fill the bistro, speckled with sporadic expletives at the vision of yet another grandiosely fashioned dish.
QUAY, SYDNEY
Located at the Overseas Passenger terminal area amid Circular Quay area and The Rocks, Quay juts out like a sanctuary watching the beautiful harbour with full views of the Opera House and the bridge. Chef Peter Gilmore and his team efforts and prospers at binding local produce and blending flairs and practises from different parts of the world.
The magnificent backdrop of the Harbour Bridge on one side and the Sydney Opera house on another enhances the sophisticated appeal of this place.
ARD BIA NIMMOS, GALWAY
Located close to the notable Spanish Arch, housed in the 18th Century Custom House on the east bank of the River Corrib; point where chic meets west Galway, where land-living meets sea, where a conjunction of paths meets a union of waterways, this restaurant represents all that is wonderful about Irish food. The much praised restaurant takes full benefit of the abundance of indigenous produce. Comfort dishes like avocado toast with poached egg and the essential Irish lunch: a baked ham and Gubbeen cheese toasted sandwich with tomato relish are the order of the day.
My story first published in ET Travel