have the meal of a lifetime
LIVE UP TO YOUR SELF-APPOINTED FOODIE STATUS
“Foodies are heading down south for more than just a great enchilada”
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, USA
Not so long ago, Mexican cuisine was San Antonio’s only schtick, but with the ongoing expansion of the Pearl Brewery complex – a hub of restaurants, bars, retail and even a farmers’ market – foodie travellers are heading down south for more than just a great enchilada. At Pearl Brewery, there’s Cured, the place for charcuterie; Green, the hippest vegetarian spot in town; and Supper, seasonal produce done
really well at the painfully cool Hotel Emma. Venture beyond Pearl to the famous San Antonio River Walk, where places like The Esquire Tavern and Ocho at Hotel Havana have done a good job of drawing locals into what was previously a tourists-only strip. There’s a thriving art scene and worthy photo opps, too (see: the historic Alamo), but if we’re completely honest, the food alone is worth the trip.
thehotelemma.com
YANGON, MYANMAR
A heady paradox of colonial-era architecture, golden pagodas, green parks and crumbling mid-rise buildings, Yangon is fast becoming an essential stop on any South-east Asian itinerary. The tourist crowd is predominantly native – a bonus for those who like to fully immerse themselves in their destination’s culture – and the local cuisine is also yet to go mainstream the way nearby India, Vietnam and Thailand’s food has. Kick things off by sampling the unofficial national dish, a crispy bean and tea-leaf salad. The humble 999 Shan Noodle House is the place to go for lunch between sightseeing, while dinner options include fancy but not pretentious French at Le Planteur, or Italian at L’opera by the Inya Lake. Go for a nightcap at The Strand Bar before turning in at Belmond Governor’s Residence, a ’20s-era mansion once home to a ruler of the country’s southern states.
belmond.com/governors-residence-yangon/
HAVANA, CUBA
There’s never been – and might never be – a better time to travel to this colourful Caribbean nation. While those of us in the lucky country have always been able to visit, Cuba has only recently started welcoming US travellers (so book your tickets before the influx of tourists, and Kardashian worshippers, well and truly begins). Start at Hotel Saratoga, where Beyoncé and Jay Z stayed. Built in the ’30s, it’s the city’s most high-end establishment, with a rooftop pool and glamorous Mezzanine Bar where sampling Cuban cigars is encouraged. If you can manage to get a reservation, head to the festively decorated San Cristobal Paladar, famous for hosting Barack Obama, though hotspots like Habana 61, El Litoral and La Guarida are worth your time, too. Don’t expect Masterchef-style plating up; but do expect to be a Cuban-cuisine convert.
hotel-saratoga.com