Hot new eats

Awesome views, stellar meals and impeccable Champagnes. The Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa is proof that foodies can find everything under one roof. Nestled amid a vast vineyard that stretches across the hills of Epernay and the nearby villages of Champillon and Hautvillers (of Dom Perignon fame), the refurbished hotel is not only home to the award-winning Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa and French beauty brand Biologique Recherche, but also two new restaurants by executive chef Jean-denis Rieubland (formerly executive chef of two Michelin-starred Le Chantecler). Be it the all-day restaurant, Bellevue or fine dining room, Le Royal, diners can expect a spectacular parade of organic ingredients from the Champagne region. There’s also a Chef’s Garden, overlooking the hills, in the works. 9 Rue de la République - Hameau de, Rue de Bellevue, 51160 Champillon, France. Tel: +33 3 26 52 87 11 A stay at Primrose makes you forget that you are actually in Las Vegas. Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki (Sessanta and Drake One Fifty) has recreated the feel of the French Riviera in a series of rooms. The soft furnishings are reminiscent of 1950s Provence, courtesy of lithographs by French artists Jean Cocteau and Pierre Boncompain depicting summers in southern France, as well as the peppering of Vallauris ceramics and pottery. Chef Bryce Shuman (formerly of one Michelin-starred Betony) works the custom-built wood-fired grill for classic fillet mignons and frites or short ribs that’s been marinated in its own fat for two days. Emily Yett (formerly Herbs & Ryes) pairs the French fare with light cocktails made with herbs grown in the restaurant’s garden. Park MGM Las Vegas, 3770 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109, U.S.A. Tel: +1 702 730 6600

Londoners, mark your social calendars. Renowned chef Tom Kerridge opens the doors to his first London restaurant, Kerridge’s Bar & Grill on 10 September. Located within the lavish Corinthia Hotel London, Kerridge and head chef Nick Beardshaw present a menu of refined

British classics, such as tender slivers of Creedy Carver duck breasts and tender faggot dressed with rotisserie apple sauce or a Scottish raspberry and rose geranium trifle, either à la carte or in their two- (£24/S$42) or three-course set menus (£29.50). Among an extensive list of international wines and Champagne is a focus on English sparkling wines. Restaurant artworks include those by photographer Pascal Barker and sculptor Mark Beattie. Corinthia Hotel London, Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD, U.K. Tel: +44 20 7930 8181 James Beard Award chef Michael Schlow adds another restaurant to his empire. Adachi is Schlow’s first Japanese-inspired concept. Housed within the historic Ford-peabody mansion, the 65-seater dining room and bar is awash in entrancing blue, wooden doors and cherry blossom motifs. The menu, developed with executive chef Llyod Roberts (formerly from Nobu 57 and Vong), presents inventive Japanese small and large plates, yakitori and maki rolls. Highlights include the Heritage Pork Dumpling with Soy Truffle Broth, King Crab “Risotto” with Uni and a Prime Koji Steak topped with Yuzu Béarnaise. An omakase sushi option is currently in the works. 325 S Old Woodward Avenue, Birmingham, MI 48009, U.S.A. Tel: +1 248 540 5900

There seems to be no stopping the Hart Bros this year. Joining their other restaurants – Barrafina and Casa Pastor – at Coal Drops Yards is The Drop, a wine bar focused on small producers. Opening in October, the three brothers – Sam, Cirspin and James Harts – are finalising their wine list with Aimee Hartley and promise a wide variety. Expect young, dynamic winemakers or lesser known varietals from oft-overlooked regions. Karan Ghosh (formerly head chef of Thomas’s at Burberry) will present the season’s best, of which includes an oyster cart and hand-sliced Cecina from Spain. Coal Drops Yard, Stable Street, London N1C 4AB, U.K. House within a storied Victorian warehouse is the third (and biggest) outpost of Blacklock. Slated to open its doors later this month, it will continue to impress with its mouth-watering menu of chophouse favourites. Premium grass-fed cuts from award-winning Cornish farmer and butcher Phillip Warren are seared to perfection using the restaurant’s iconic Blacklock Foundry Iron. Their signature Blacklock Sunday Lunch (£20/person) is where guests can enjoy a trio of their best – 55-Day Aged Beef Rump, Cornish Lamb Leg and Middlewhite Pork Loin – along with their luscious bone marrow gravy. Best of all, Jon Neidich and Jim Kearns of New York’s speakeasy Slowly Shirley are planning a 30-seater bar within the restaurant. 28 Rivington Street, London EC2A 3DZ, U.K.

Alila Manggis, a hideaway nestled between the sea and the mountain in the East Bali, recently opened a chic al fresco lounge and bar. The Ocean Bar offers an array of signature sunset cocktails with ingredients harvested from the resort’s own organic garden and tasty bar bites. Sip on seasonal local fruits cocktails, such as the Mangosteen Martini (Rp95,000) while enjoying the sea breeze, or join the one-hour Make Like A Mixologist class if you’re keen to shake and stir some cocktails from the menu. The class is available at Rp1,080,000 per person and open to in-house guests and the public. Alila Manggis, Desa Buitan, Manggis, Karangasem. Tel: +62 363 41011 Home to the Komodo dragon and a dramatic landscape made of small islands and rich marine biodiversity, Labuan Bajo is the port of entry to explore Flores. Opening its doors on 15 September, AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach at Labuan Bajo is ready to welcome guests to experience a luxurious adventure. With 13 suites and 192 rooms, the resort is built to showcase the ocean and the legendary golden sunset of Flores. It’s equipped with a rooftop to host wedding and events. There are four restaurants and two bars, a spa and three swimming pools. Check out the grand opening promotion perks, such as free extra night, 20 percent pre- opening discounts and the option to arrive on the private pier with AYANA Lako di’a, a luxurious phinisi sailing yacht. Pantai Waecicu, Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur. Tel: +62 361 702222

True to its name which translates as seventh heaven, Settimo Cielo now offers a tasty Italian grazing menu designed by chef Nicolas Lazzaroni. Rustic in flavour and contemporary in its presentation, the dishes are cooked à la minute and served on a large wooden tray. Order as many dishes as you desire from 11am to 5pm, including the Arancini, Rabbit & Porcini Ragu Pappardelle or the perfectly thin and crusty Rucola & Prosciutto Pizza. The Seventh Heaven Grazing Lunch is available daily for Rp225,000 per person. Jl. Pangkung Sari 10X, Seminyak. Tel: +62 361 4741117 Savour the best of Asian and Western cuisine at the recently reopened Taman Wantilan. Located inside the iconic Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, the open-air restaurant offers a stunning ocean view to boot. Make a stop at the seafood teppanyaki station, have a bite of the warm garlic cheese naan with paneer makhani, ask the chef to slice the juicy slow-roasted ribeye, or head to the dedicated dessert room where an eye-watering pastry selection, gelato and freshly made crepes beckon. Rp695,000 per person. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Jimbaran, Kuta Selatan. Tel: +62 361 701010

Jakarta’s night crawlers will raise their glasses to a new burger joint in town that opens until 5am during weekends. Called Le Burger, this dining hotspot is the brainchild of famed French-american chef Jean-georges Vongerichten and his son Cedric, so expectations of food standards are certainly high. Head there (it’s housed inside Alila SCBD) for the decadent Truffle

Burger (Rp130,000) or Kimchi Dog (Rp120,000), featuring 30-hour aged kimchi. Don’t miss the cocktail selections, such as the on tap Gin Punch (Rp150,000) or the classic New York Sour (Rp160,000). Alila SCBD Jakarta, Lot 11, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53, Jakarta. Tel: +62 21 50808788 Collage All Day Dining at Pullman Jakarta Central Park offers different thematic buffet dinners from Monday to Friday for diners to savour flavours from around the globe. Go Latino Fiesta and enjoy a burrito on Monday, indulge in clams and crabs on Tuesday’s Seafood Galore, and let the chef slice some meat from giant skewers – Brazilian BBQ’S Churrasco style on Wednesday(rp388,000 per person). Ladies who wear red on Thursday receive a 50 percent off the buffet dinner (Rp328,000 per person). Come by on Fridays to enjoy a delightful Nusantara Street Food feast (Rp328,000 per person), including Indonesian hearty fare like Sate Ayam and Nasi Goreng. Pullman Jakarta Central Park, Podomoro City, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav.28, Jakarta. Tel: +62 21 29200088

The Blue Terrace at AYANA Midplaza Jakarta is known as a destination for teas and nourishing lunches. It now serves TSUJIRI, Japanese green tea brand, in an array of innovative beverages. Available daily, from 10am to 8pm, you can choose beverages like Tsujiri Latte (Rp75,000) or a cold Yuzu O-matcha (Rp85,000). Matcha devotees will be delighted with the soft serve ice cream, warabi mochi, shiratama, and matcha azuki youkan. AYANA Midplaza Jakarta, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 10-11, Jakarta Pusat. Tel: +62 21 2510888 Housed in a 150-year-old antique wooden Joglo pavilion, Plataran Dharmawangsa was designed in the tradition of a royal Javanese family compound. Located in the elegant residential Kebayoran Baru neighbourhood, the restaurant recently added a new feature to its lush garden, the candi temple stone. Savour Indonesian delectables such as Sumatra’s spicy Dendeng Batokok (Rp179,000) or the all-time favourite Ayam Dharmawangsa (Rp129,000), a crunchy chickan scallopini topped with fruit slaw and refreshing sour spicy sauce. Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya No.6 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta. Tel: +62 21 29044167 Deriving inspiration from French afternoon tea and pastry culture, Keraton at The Plaza’s Director of Culinary, Rafael Gil has created a special French High Tea at Keraton Lounge. Mull over a choice of TWG teas or mocktails while enjoying the sweet and savoury treats like Croque Monsieur, Quiche Lorraine, Smoked Salmon Croissant, Millefeuille, Lemon Madeleines, Mango Éclair, and many more. Available daily from 2pm to 7pm. Rp398,000 for two persons. Rp596,000 for two persons (with mocktails). Keraton at The Plaza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jakarta, Jl. MH. Thamrin Kav. 15, Jakarta. Tel: +62 21 50680000