by Editor | Jun 23, 2008 | Accomodations, New Articles, Restaurants and Food
The Mont Rochelle main pool and restaurant
Foodies and fine wine enthusiasts from all over the world converge in the wine region of South Africa, searching for vineyards and gourmet restaurants. In an effort to explore a little of this region located a short drive from the ever popular Cape Town area, our team dedicated a weekend to the Cape Winelands late last year. During their visit, they made the village of Franschhoek their temporary home. While in Franschhoek, they stayed at the Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards, a charming small hotel.
View of the surrounding area from the Mont Rochelle Hotel
Our one bedroom suite at the Mont Rochelle
The Mont Rochelle stood out for its luxurious and spacious suite with private plunge pool, in house gourmet restaurant and magnificent views of the village and the neighboring vineyards. Click here to read our dedicated article about the Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards.
by Editor | Jun 16, 2008 | New Articles, Restaurants and Food
Arpege Restaurant in Paris, France
Alain Passard, executive chef and owner of Arpege restaurant in Paris, has long been recognized as a one of the most creative chefs in France. Elena and Gary recently had a chance to dine at his famous restaurant and speak with him in person.
Couleur, saveur, parfum et dessin du jardin velouté de radis rose at Arpege
Millefeuille “Caprice d’enfants,” chocolate millefeuille with chocolate coulis
They were pleasantly surprised to find the chef as creative and talented as they remembered and his dishes even more satisfying. There was also an enthusiastic, young new team who added much to the dining experience. Click here to read our lasted dedicated article about Arpege Restaurant.
by Editor | Jun 9, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles
A sign for Earth Lodge
One of our teams recently visited Earth Lodge, the most architecturally distinctive of the four luxury lodges in the Sabi Sabi Reserve. Designed to disappear within the bush setting it is built on, it was memorable precisely for its unconventional style and Zen influence. They stayed at the property’s spacious and exclusive Amber Suite (presidential suite) which offered excellent accommodations, especially for honeymooners and couples seeking privacy within a lodge setting.
The water feature at Earth Lodge
Elena and Gary also liked the distinctive bush setting, stand alone spa, wine cellar, and tasty plated meals. Earth Lodge, part of the Sabi Sabi theme of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, was built to represent Tomorrow. Bush Lodge and Little Bush Camp represent Today. Selati, another Sabi Sabi lodge they visited during that trip, represents Yesterday.
The Sabi Sabi Reserve is a luxury oriented reserve within the larger Sabi Sand Reserve adjacent to the http://simonandbaker.com/kruger in South Africa. Click here to read our complete dedicated articles on Selati Camp and Earth Lodge.
by Editor | Jun 2, 2008 | New Articles, Spas
The reception at Absolute Nirvana
Once a palace custom reserved from Javanese royal brides-to-be, the Lulur, a massage and skin treatment ritual that culminates with a rose petal bath, is now available to all women (and men) in Santa Fe; wedding optional! Absolute Nirvana owner Caroline Lee was inspired to bring the sumptuous treatment home to New Mexico after experiencing it in Bali several years ago.
Caroline Lee, owner, Absolute Nirvana
Upon her return, with the help of international spa consultant Christa Obuchowski, she created the timeless enclave of Balinese serenity where I experienced some of the most sensuous and effective treatments I’ve ever had. In addition to the Lulur, I enjoyed a thorough Purifying Cleansing facial that left me feeling and looking rejuvenated, and a relaxing Indo-Asian Hot Stone Massage that erased all stress and cares from my muscles and psyche.
Click here to a dedicated article about Josette’s Absolute Nirvana experience and the spa’s rigorously eco-friendly practices.
by Editor | May 19, 2008 | New Articles, Restaurants
Article and photos by Josette King
Sculpture garden on Canyon Road
When I first heard of Santa Fe two decades ago, it conjured up magical images to my francophone ear (fée is French for fairy). I visited and was immediately enchanted by the city’s unique blend of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures and its colorful Pueblo-style adobe buildings strung along easily walkable streets. I have returned several times to enjoy its old-world charm and vibrant artistic life: catch an opera under the stars during the summer-long opera season, linger in the many museums or browse the hundreds of art galleries scattered around the historic Plaza and along the mile-long Canyon Road.
Recently, I was back for a new experience of the city, a relaxing winter weekend get away. Beneath the brilliant high desert sky, the southern Rockies vistas were especially spectacular under a dusting of snow, tourists were few and the pace pleasingly slow. It was a great opportunity to browse at leisure through the uncrowded streets and quasi deserted museums, enjoy a day of decadent pampering at one of the superb spas, and unhurried meals at old and new favorite eateries.
Santa Fe offers such a varied selection of tempting restaurants and cuisines in all price ranges that is difficult to single out favorites. During this visit, in addition to the outstanding Anasazi Restaurant at the inn of the same name (see separate story) I especially enjoyed:
The Shed
113 East Palace Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico, +1 505 982-9030
Tucked away in a courtyard behind the thick walls of a hacienda built in 1692, half a block away from the Plaza, the Shed is a local institution and my favorite place for a casual meal in Santa Fe. Owned and managed by the Carswell family since its inception in 1953, it is a lively place where locals and tourists crowd around tiny tables to enjoy robust portions of a unique blend of Pueblo, Mexican and Spanish cuisine. I particularly liked the Posole, a Pueblo stew of Nixtamal corn (a hominy-like grain) stewed with lean pork, garlic and oregano, which was served on its own or as an accompaniment with various enchiladas; my favorite being the Chicken Enchilada Verde, baked in The Shed’s signature roasted green chili sauce. But I made sure to save room for the fresh lemon soufflé, especially tart and light, and served right out of the oven. Lunch was seated first come, first served, and reservations were strongly recommended for dinner.
Antique Santa Fe style home on Canyon Road
La Boca
72 West Marcy Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico. + 1 505-982-3433
The brainchild of Chef Joseph Campbell Caruso, a Boston-born Basque Italian and former executive chef of a well-known Canyon Road Spanish restaurant, La Boca dished out a wide assortment of imaginative tapas to a weekend crowd of enthusiastic dinners. With its ivory painted walls, track lighting and white linen-clad confetti-size tables, the place was a bit short on atmosphere, but there was nothing minimalist about what came out of the kitchen, one delicious small plate after another.
On the night of my visit, the menu featured 25 enticing tapas, each more tempting than the next. The ahi tuna carpaccio served with a blood orange aïoli, chopped Kalamata olives and a drizzle of smoked sea-salt was superb. The canelone filled with lump crab and scallop and topped with broiled creamy Manchego cheese was another of my favorites. I found the house salad of crisp greens and grilled pears lightly seasoned with pomegranate-walnut vinaigrette and Cabrales toping (Asturian blue cheese) a satisfying palate cleanser.
There were also a handful of main course specials on the menu. I tried the paella but found it unremarkable. It was rather bland as it can be when precooked. However, it was soon redeemed by my dessert selection: a glorious slice of helado de torron (semi frozen nougat mousse) drizzled with candied orange syrup. The Mediterranean menu was complemented by a small, reasonably priced wine list that featured offerings from Spain, Italy, France, and Argentina. Although this 54-seat storefront restaurant had only been open since the fall of 2006, it was already recognized around town as “not to be missed” among the myriad dining options in Santa Fe. Reservations were strongly recommended for dinner.
Dusk in Santa Fe
Shopping is one of my favorite pastime times in Santa Fe, especially for native jewelry and craft. My first stop is always the open gallery in front of the Palace of the Governors, where Native American artists offered a broad selection of handmade turquoise and silver jewelry, beadwork and pottery. In addition, this is one of my favorite galleries:
Keshi
227 Don Gaspar Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico. + 1 505-989-8728
I especially enjoyed shopping at Keshi, a downtown gallery started in 1981 as a Zuni-owned co-op. Now privately owned, it still carried only authentic works by artists from the Zuni Pueblo as well as a few artists from other pueblos. In addition to stunning stonework and silver jewelry, and a nice assortment of pottery, Keshi carried a large collection of fetish animal carving as well as high quality Hopi Kachina dolls (stylized religious icons representing figures from the Hopi mythology). Click here to read more about Santa Fe and my recent visit
by Editor | May 12, 2008 | Accomodations, Ecotourism, New Articles
Lions at Selati
We recently enjoyed a most pleasant stay and outstanding game viewing at railroad themed Selati Camp near the world famous http://simonandbaker.com/kruger. Selati is one of four luxury properties in the privately owned Sabi Sabi Reserve within the larger Sabi Sands Reserve that borders one of the best game viewing areas of the park.
Our bathroom at Selati
A mongoose at Selati
Our visit was made especially fun and rewarding thanks to Tal, our indefatigable guide who was always eager to find and share with us the many marvels of the bush. If it flew, walked, crawled or crouched he found a way for us to see and enjoy it while remaining vigilant and looking out for our safety and well being. Click here to read our dedicated feature on Selati Camp
