Taste & Travel

On The Beach

- by JOHANNA READ

BEACH VACATIONS are for sandy shores, turquoise pools and sun-filled activities, less so for the food. But who wants to end a day of snorkellin­g with dismal buffets of lukewarm overcooked pasta or eat pre-frozen burgers poolside? Instead, check out these beach resorts where chefs go out of their way to offer guests diverse menus, local ingredient­s, healthy choices and even molecular gastronomy. PALO VERDE SUSTAINABL­E HOTEL El Zonte, El Salvador Olor de Mar is the beachside restaurant affiliated with this eco-hotel. Chef Carlos Burgos' creative menus highlight El Salvador's prime seafood and local fruit and veg. www.paloverdeh­otel.com TRS CORAL HOTEL AND GRAND PALLADIUM COSTA MUJERES North of Cancun, Mexico These all-inclusive sister resorts (one adults-only) have 13 restaurant­s between them, ideal for anyone who craves variety. Choose from Argentine barbecue with beach views, traditiona­l Spanish, French steak tartare and foie gras, Indian tandoori, Japanese teppanyaki and more. www.palladiumh­otelgroup.com/en/costamujer­es/trs-coral-hotel OCEAN CLUB RESORTS Provo, Turks and Caicos Ocean Club West has beachside Solana, featuring teppanyaki and sushi. A 20-minute stroll east on one of the world's most beautiful beaches is Opus, at Ocean Club East. It has the island's largest wine list, perfectly prepared classics, and local conch and lobster. www.oceanclubr­esorts.com

VIVO RESORTS Puerto Escondido, Mexico

On a beach favoured by turtles, Vivo Resorts' farm-to-table Ernesto's focuses on healthy Oaxacan food. Ingredient­s, even sesame seeds, come from organic farms next door to the resort and from the town's excellent public market. www.vivoresort­s.com HOTEL XCARET MEXICO Mayan Riviera, Mexico This luxury all-inclusive has ten restaurant­s. The standout is Mexican gastronomy restaurant Há, by the first Mexican chef to receive a Michelin star. Hotel Xcaret's Mexican cantina, Asian Xin-Gao and even Mercado's buffet impress. www.hotelxcare­t.com GRAND RESIDENCES RIVIERA CANCUN Mayan Riviera, Mexico This five-star resort serves traditiona­l Mexican and Mayan dishes, plus internatio­nal selections like ahi tuna, and afternoon tea with delectable pastries. Choose between an all-inclusive stay, dine à la carte, or invite the chef up to cook just for you in your own kitchen. www.grandresid­encesrivie­racancun.com

PACIFIC SANDS BEACH RESORT Tofino, BC

It's not hot year-round like southern beach resorts, but whether you're storm watching or surfing, Pacific Sands now has the Surfside Grill, the sister of Wildside Grill by chef Jesse Lake and fisher Jeff Mikus. The casual atmosphere belies the quality of the panko fish and chips and fish tacos. www.pacificsan­ds.com

 ??  ?? Palo Verde smoothie
Palo Verde smoothie
 ??  ?? TRS Coral food art
TRS Coral food art
 ??  ?? Pacific Sands fish
Pacific Sands fish
 ??  ?? Grand Residences tarts
Grand Residences tarts
 ??  ?? Ocean Club ahi
Ocean Club ahi
 ??  ?? Vivo Resorts salad
Vivo Resorts salad
 ??  ?? Hotel Xcaret tacos
Hotel Xcaret tacos

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