Scorpios Mykonos, Greece
A vast peninsula located on the southern part of the island overlooking Paraga and Kavos lagoons, Scorpios has a refreshingly different ethos from the usual boho beach club. Its holistic, philosophical approach ensures each guest is looked after and nourished whilst relaxing on a sleek sun lounger on one of the numerous terraces, the beach or in the restaurant, which serves a healthy menu of Greek, Oriental and Mediterranean delights.
Expect a cool, low-key crowd of international jetsetters and well-heeled Greeks. The architecture and attention to detail is second to none.
Hotel Chantelle, London
Conveniently located just north of Oxford Street and adjacent to Selfridge’s, this whimsical upbeat New York dining-meets-nightlife eatery is a welcome addition to London’s thriving culinary scene.
Hotel Chantelle’s first restaurant, located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is popular with New York’s ‘in-crowd’ and pioneers a new wave of upbeat, late night dining concepts. Executive Chef Seth Levine’s clever juxtaposition of haute cuisine, molecular gastronomy and age-old comfort food is commendable. His generous portions did not go unnoticed.
The restaurant’s interiors resemble a sleek, 1990s nightclub with numerous white glass tiles and hanging lightbulbs, lush floral greenery covers the walls. Two clever internal courtyards with floor to ceiling glass windows provide a welcome breeze from the balmy summer evening. A giant, visually enticing tuna tartare cigar, filled with sushi grade tuna and a ramekin of hot wasabi tobiko ticked both the taste and originality boxes.
My mori ash monkfish left me with a new-found passion for the unfashionable but quite delicious creature. Perfectly grilled, with a sweet, nutty flavour and thick meaty texture, it is now firmly back on our gastronomic radar. My companion’s lobster, served on an enormous bed of sweet crispy kale, was as expected; light and creamy, cooked beautifully.
For those who are not fans of macaroni and cheese, just give Hotel Chantelle’s a try: infused with sweet truffle oil and ultra-velvety, the generous side dish left us gushing. Just perfect. In a world of wannabes, this restaurant offers something quite special; not attempting to be something it isn’t, it jolly well gets the thumbs up from us.
Asia De Cuba at St. Martin's Lane, London
Together with the hotel and ultra-trendy bar, Blind Spot (formerly Light Bar), this Covent Garden favourite has undergone a complete facelift and now offers guests world-class, Cuban-injected Asian dining in a laid-back, up-beat dining room filled with curios, artifacts and books. We sampled two of the salads recommended by our informed Cuban waitress: a mouthwateringly fresh Fire & Ice Shrimp with watermelon, cucumber, napa cabbage, sesame and crispy wanton, and the joyful Spicy Beef Crudo with Spanish peanuts, picked vegetables, mangos and avocado – both of which celebrate the talents of Cuban concept chef Luis Pous who has injected new life into the original menu by Jeffrey Chodorow.
In a blend of East and West cultures, main courses include a succulent and meaty swordfish with vegetable escabeche, yuca dumplings, bok choy, toasted garlic and spicy shrimp coconut broth. The Rocoto glazed black cod was accompanied with a truly wonderful avocado pablano puree and sweet and zesty orange mojo. We recommend the bitter and cooling Lady of the Dynasty cocktail: Absolut vodka, lychee liquor, orgeat and lemon.
Patchwork at Sa Punta, Ibiza
A new offering from the duo behind the ever-popular Asian Sa Punta restaurant, guests are whisked up to the chic rooftop to devour Lebanese-infused delicacies and mezze. The name cleverly refers to the injection of Middle Eastern flavours. Expect summer beats from an ever-changing line up of international DJs and glorious sunset views to the Med and Dalt Vila.
We like the look of the Wild seabass with cumin and sumac, and the Lebanese bread filled with lamb, tomato, cucumber and salad.
La Belle Ibiza
Well worth a visit if spending the day on one of Ibiza’s beautiful West Coast beaches, this white-washed, boho-chic restaurant and lounge welcomes head chef Gilles Escaffre, who has trained alongside culinary luminaries Alain Ducasse and Joel Robuchon amongst others. Expect a modern French fusion menu including Lamb rack with aromatic herb crust, creamy polenta and vegetables, and Pearly cod with Iberian chorizo in a white butter sauce accompanied by saffron-infused bomba rice.
Inventive cocktails with names like Mad Spicy Red Tonic, Exolitcho and Russian Kiss, and a revolving series of international DJs will ensure a typically lively Balearic experience.
Santina, New York City
In May, we sampled the vibrant menu at newly launched Santina, a modern Italian restaurant and part of the Major Food Group headed up by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. A seasonally changing menu provides pared down choices such as spaghetti blue crab, lobster Catalan and a delightfully tender guajillo chicken.
The sleek all-glass building, designed by architect Renzo Piano, and extensive patio offer the perfect time-out from Manhattan’s fast pace. The imaginative cocktail menu offers gems with names like Manganello Punch and View from Positano.
Ling Ling by Hakkasan, Mykonos
Hot London outpost Hakkasan has just launched a summer pop-up in the Old Town on the chic island of Mykonos. The popular restaurant’s Cantonese-style dishes will be offered as small plates in which to share whilst indulging in one or two of their world-class cocktails – all set to a backdrop of high-energy beats from the brand’s resident DJ, Pathaan.
The pop-up will feature an open-air restaurant, bar, lounge and private dining room for larger parties.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden, London
Launched earlier this year ahead of it’s sister restaurant’s much-heralded re-launch, this vast British dining room offers an extensive bar, glass orangery and one of the lushest, largest gardens in London within which to enjoy unfussy classics such as Chargrilled Banham chicken with lemon thyme butter and thick cut chips, Grilled loin of tuna and Lobster rigatoni bake.
Wash it all down with a Sloane Ranger cocktail: Wyborowa vodka, Green Chartreuse and pear topped with Willy’s apple cider. Casual.
Quadrat at Hotel Sant Francesc, Palma de Mallorca
Whilst on the island of Mallorca in March this year, our CEO dined at Quadrat, the fine dining room at the recently unveiled, extraordinarily sleek Hotel Sant Francesc in the capital Palma. A 19th century mansion has been brought back to life carefully preserving its original features. The restaurant, located on in the former stables of the palacio on the lower ground floor, offers an uncomplicated yet sophisticated menu of modern Mediterranean dishes.
Why not start with a Gin Mare cocktail in the lush garden before heading indoors to the elegantly designed restaurant?
Atica at The Principal, Madrid
As Spain’s new breed of super-chefs continue to dominate the global culinary scene, Ramón Freixa’s latest invention, housed atop Madrid’s latest luxury hotel, is no exception. The sleek, informal interiors are complimented by an on-point, sophisticated yet simple menu, which is ideal for sharing with guests. With a focus on fresh, Spanish ingredients, the menu also gives a nod to Southern Mediterranean cuisine.
Whether seeking complete relaxation on a pearl-white sandy beach, or an all-encompassing cultural exploration, NINE's members are invited to contact their dedicated concierge manager for inspiration and to plan their next travel experience.