Thom Meintel
Thom Meintel joined TravelSquire in 2008, after a successful tenure as a publishing executive specifically covering the travel category, most recently as the Director of Travel for Architectural Digest. His long association with design publications such as Elle Décor, his passion for design, and his background in the performing arts have all combined to create a unique hybrid. He corralled his wanderlust when joining forces with Jeff Greif in order to use his vast media experience to expand the growth and capabilities of the website. He has written and edited feature stories on Cairo, Istanbul, Kiev and Rhodes, Greece and these experiences spurred a new monthly column debuting in March called Travel Aesthetics. Ultimately he aims to produce and star in a regular broadcast segment for the site proving how integrated design is in the travel experience.
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Zuka
Where the Art of Grilling is Turned Upside Down
I recently learned that when it comes to eating out in Rio, it pays to get off the beaten path. Although everyone knows it’s the Squire’s destination of choice, for as many times as we’ve visited, we never seemed to venture further beyond touristy Copacabana and Ipanema, great standards for visitors to this tropical paradise but not exactly cutting edge. Our destination one sultry evening during the super-animated annual Carnaval celebration was ZUKA, the sexy, daring outpost of Cariocas in the know. Situated in Leblon, Ipanema’s closest neighbor geographically and widely acknowledged as its’ younger, hipper sister, it’s known for its signature beach culture, chic shops and profusion of trendy bars and restaurants. With dreams of passion fruit caipirinhas in my head after a long day touring the Floresta da Tijuca (Rio’s version of Central Park), I was finally going to experience where the locals hang out when they are in town. Aside from strolling its beautiful beach, a stretch between Postos 11 and 12 which lures the beautiful people of Rio, my only experience in this quasi- Beverly Hills was a business meeting with a Brazilian client in his massive aerie in the hills overlooking the sea with Sugarloaf in the distance. This time I’d be grounded with the locals as I’m inclined to do.
It’s true that during Carnaval many Cariocas head for the hills and rent out their high-rise condos to savvy tourists but on this night it seemed that they were in full force as the restaurant was packed and buzzing with energy. At first glance the retractable façade of paneled glass and the washed concrete walls reminded me of Venice Beach or Santa Monica and that cool, California groove made me feel at home right away. The relaxed environment inside revealed an open dining room with the grill in full view facing out to diners and this assured me that the vibe from the kitchen was definitely wafting down to the lucky guests hungry for the action. And they were ready with smiles on their faces.
ZUKA is all about the grill and is the only restaurant in Rio that turns barbecue into haute cuisine. To the delight of guests, one also gets to watch 29 year old self-taught chef Ludmilla Soeiro in command, playing with temperatures, flavors, colors and textures as she creates international dishes with flair and verve. The menu, nestled inside an earthy spiral bound notebook, is divided into 3 parts - the sea, the land and the air. We snuggled into our leather banquette and speculated, finally succumbing to a Tasting Menu (128 BRL, approx $74), an 8 course “tour of the neighborhoods” food-wise and a blank canvas for Ludmilla’s genius. This was a huge leap of faith considering that a meal of this size in Brazil can only be compared to churrasco, that endless wonderful meat fest, but it was near to 100 degrees at the moment and our thoughts were leaning more toward a liquid meal if you know what I mean. Soon enough however, our gamble paid off.
We began with seared tuna semi-cru served with a tagliatelle of palm hearts dressed in a light, milk infusion of horse radish cream, not exactly what you’d expect to eat in Brazil. Ludmilla continued her antics with fish for the appetizers. The tender grilled shrimp coated in garlic breadcrumbs and served with a scoop of Sicilian lemon risotto took me right to a Mediterranean yacht moored off San Remo and the octopus carpaccio that followed cleared the way for the fuller meat courses. Argentinean beef with a truffle-scented potato puree brought me back to South America’s preference for incredible cuts of red meat and the porcini-crusted veal filet served with a sweet potato and pear gratin with a perfumed pepper reduction was swoon-worthy and elegantly subtle. This was the perfect set-up for the dramatic and tantalizing foie gras experience, a trio of flavors – citrus, savory and sweet. Never have I been more intrigued with foie gras. Our dessert course took us all back to childhood, a sweetened warm egg cream with roasted walnuts topped with cinnamon ice cream. Hmmm, maybe we could bottle this and drink it to help us survive Carnaval!
Ludmilla’s wild presentation kept our eyes amused and as we finished with a tea service extraordinaire and stepped outside to Leblon’s streets, the beautiful people were in a crush on the sidewalk waiting for tables. Ah, Carnaval! Even our taxi driver asked what was happening there. Business as usual, in Leblon of course.
Zuka
Rua Dias Ferreira 233B
Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
55 21 3205 7154
www.zuka.com.br
Mahalo Kauai!
Relax. Yes, there is a way to recreate those memorable Mai Tai’s when you’re back from your splendid days spent on Kauai, Hawaii’s own self-described “garden island.” OK I admit, I had relegated Mai Tai’s to Elvis in Blue Hawaii and the land of Hawaii of 5-0 but with the series’ much talked about re-release this month it’s a cinch you’ll be invited to Hawaii themed parties and virtual luaus in the coming months. Enter Koloa Rums.
Koloa rums are not your run of the mill Hawaiian cocktail staple and the Mai Tai is not your average cocktail. I found this out in a little undercover work of my own in the many glamorous (and otherwise) watering holes of our own Pacific paradise known as Hawaii. The name translates from the Tahitian to mean “out of this world” and in fact you’ll be exactly that after downing a few. The Mai Tai, which originated at Trader Vic’s in the early 1940’s, is a “layered” drink and features the best rum you can get your hands on disguised under and above layers of fruit juice. As the rum is the primary ingredient, without the best, quite honestly you’re sunk. The layering takes a little practice but hey, it’s all about light to dark (think the opposite of chiaroscuro and you’ll be there). Using a combination of lime and pineapple juices accented by a whisper of orange Curacao and simple syrup, the layering begins with gold rum and then is crowned with dark.
Koloa Rums proudly uses pure Kauai grown raw crystal sugar from the last plantation on Kauai and pure mountain rainwater from Mt. Waialeale in their distilling, the first in history on the island. Their gold rum offers a lovely golden oak color, perfect to begin your creation, and their dark rum with its rich coffee hue and powdery sweetness is the perfect floater to send your guests to, well, another world of course. Take my word, have a large Hawaiian pu pu platter on hand to save unsuspecting participants as the cocktail hour comes to a close.
For wise and crafty bartenders with a need for expediency, shorten the lengthy prep time with an authentic Mai Tai Mix brought to us by those crafty folks at Hawaiian Kukui. The custom blended, small batch mix is handcrafted on Kauai from the sweetest pure cane sugar, fresh mountain waters and a special blend of natural flavors precisely mixed to reach the exact combination of sweet and tart to complement those killer Koloa rums. Leverage your new social status as a descendant of the original creator, Don the Beachcomber. A perfect Mai Tai? Who knew?
No need to leave your furry friends behind on your fun-filled vacation. Kimpton’s EPIC Hotel in downtown, Miami, knows the true meaning of being a pet-friendly hotel paying extraordinary attention to every guest’s special sidekick no matter the size, shape or species – and at no extra cost to guests. All guests who check in with pet companions will have the luxury of various pet-friendly services and amenities upon registration including restful accommodations in a luxury guestroom; VIP (Very Important Pet) amenity; pet bowl and pet bed; leash and plastic bags for dog walks; as well as pet sitting, grooming, walking and massages, which can all be arranged with concierge.
Additional information on the hotel and pet-friendly amenities can be found at http://www.epichotel.com/hotel-accommodations/miami-pet-friendly-hotel.html
It’s no secret that traveling throughout Asia can be a memorable and enriching experience. Anyone seeking to fully experience the continent can now visit numerous countries thanks to an infrastructure that allows easy travel across destinations. This is the idea behind Discover Asia Now.
Discover Asia Now promotes fantastic travel deals and programs in Asia and offers in-depth information on traveling to the region under one interactive website: www.discoverasianow.com.
Developed by nine Asian tourism organizations including China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, visitors to the site can find information on cultural, culinary, adventure, romance, and wellness opportunities found in each of the participating destinations. Maps and other useful tools such as local weather, currency exchange, and price indices are also part of the site which aims to help make the planning process easier.
Leading tour operators, hotels, and airlines, including A Classic Tours, Asia Luxe Holidays, EVA Airlines, Harbour Grand Kowloon & Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees, the Langham Hotel Hong Kong, Goway, Pacific Holidays, SITA and Taj Hotels, are offering special discounted travel deals and promotions exclusive to the Discover Asia Now site.
PROVIDENCE - less is more!
A Round-Up of the City’s Best
Your mom always said that first impressions count. When I hailed a taxi at Amtrak’s Providence, R.I. station the striking neoclassical dome of the State House beckoned in the night sky. Would the smallest state’s “creative capital” (as it’s billed) meet my expectations?
Bar Henry
Enter BAR HENRY and for a moment you may feel like you’ve stepped back in time. As we settled into our plush red velvet chairs that were rescued from the Plaza Hotel’s recent expansive renovation, I felt like I’d discovered a New York secret. A quick glance at the long, narrow, subterranean landmark space revealed the tell tale signs of a bygone speakeasy except today it’s alive with a fresh, new spirit. Bar Henry will dazzle you with its energy which no doubt was inherited from those frenzied speakeasy patrons.
How many people do you know have been to Rhodes? I hit on this un-exotic sounding island purely by accident after first considering Crete. That decision was shelved once I looked into it; I deemed the massive size unmanageable since I didn’t want to be driving every minute and there were too many options. So I looked into something a bit smaller: Rhodes. I read about Rhodes’ phenomenal history, its walled fairy tale medieval old town and cobblestone streets. More importantly though, its round-the-clock sunshine 325 days a year, endless beaches and a reputation as an island for sun worshippers intrigued me. Learning that it is a well-known party scene more or less sealed the deal, as like many vacationers I was seeking some fun in the sun. What I did not realize and later learned was that Rhodes has been a destination for Europeans for years, especially the Brits and Italians. Its proximity to Turkey is a draw. But let’s get one thing straight: it’s not what I’d call a “magical” island, the kind everyone associates with the Greek islands in general. Also, its popularity as a cruise ship destination merits a mention in order to grasp the scope of its tourist trade.
If you take a seat in Opium, the airy, glass-enclosed restaurant set like a jewel in a corner of the Ipanema Plaza Hotel, your seat will practically be ringside. The non-stop show of people watching commences in the early hours and even from the tiny sushi bar, which spills out into the hotel's lobby, your eyes can feast on the scene. The spectacle consists largely of beach goers both male and female shuffling in their Havaianas and stripped down to bikinis and Speedos, a uniform for the tanned Brazilians during summer in Rio. They make their entrances and exits from the pearly white sand famous round the world for that certain girl who likes to walk. It isn't necessary to be tall, tan and lovely to enjoy Ipanema. Let the Cariocas (Rio natives) worry about that. But you do need a home base in the center of all the activity, a hotel that doesn't just provide shelter from the intense heat but soothes and coddles you when you're pooped from partying. Oh, and an icy beer and caipirinha by the largest rooftop pool will help, too. You've found your nirvana at the Ipanema Plaza Hotel.
Go West
A vacation in Negril, Jamaica can be a life-changing experience. This westernmost island community blessed by nature is lush, and full of unexpected pleasures that are right in front of your nose. Staying tucked inside an all inclusive resort 24/7 with your every wish granted isn’t exactly adventurous in the idyllic, natural setting. The Jamaican people are the heart of this tropical paradise, and are genuinely interested in making certain you experience the best of their country. It’s safe to explore pleasing all the senses so try not to be shy.The real soul of Negril lies outside the compound, on the impossibly beautiful 7 mile white sand beach, the road to town (Norman Manley Blvd.), and past the roundabout that leads to Sav (Savannah la Mar, Negril’s nearest big neighbor of a town). It’s here where you’ll find the true Jamaican spirit.
Where Culture Meets Relaxation
