All in Food & Drink

Mount Mulligan Lodge, Queensland, Australia

Marketed as Queensland’s newest, all-inclusive luxury property, Mount Mulligan Lodge is part of an ever expanding list of must visit properties across the north of Australia. The lodge is located on a private working cattle station, and the accommodation sits below the majestic, and for some, fear inducing, Mount Mulligan. The nearby former township and mine is also the site of the “Mount Mulligan mine disaster”, Queensland's worst!

Kittawa Lodge, King Island, Tasmania, Australia

The isle of Tasmania is one of the most spectacular regions of Australia.  In recent years, its startling natural beauty has been complemented by the rise of a thriving food industry and a burgeoning luxury accommodation scene – a windfall for discerning adventurers.  It is on an island off the island that one of the newest and most extraordinary lodges has emerged – the petite, personalised and impeccably chic Kittawa Lodge of King Island.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

On our approach into Rio’s Santos Dumont airport our spectacular arrival route takes in views of Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, and the beautiful bays and beaches that have made Rio famous the world over.  It is a stunning first impression, but one which is reinforced repeatedly over our coming days in Rio – this truly is one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

A Casa Do Porco, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Alongside the multiple fine dining establishments of Sao Paulo, a very different star has arisen – A Casa Do Porco.  Currently the highest ranked Brazilian restaurant in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, A Casa Do Porco is a fun-filled, pork-themed extravaganza.

D.O.M. Gastronomia Brasileira, Sao Paulo, Brazil

D.O.M. was first opened in 1999, and has been on the list of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants since 2006.  Head Chef Alex Atala is credited with spearheading the emergence of Brazilian cuisine onto the world food stage over the last 20 years, exalting the use of traditional Brazilian ingredients and techniques in contemporary cooking. 

Stopover in Santiago - Where to Stay, Where to Eat

After years of making multiple connections by the skin of our teeth, or, more disappointingly, overnighting in the nondescript airline-appointed transit hotel when being bumped onto the subsequent day’s flight, we have finally accepted this as a South American reality, and factored in a stress-alleviating overnight stay in Santiago on our inbound and outbound legs.  We recommend you do the same, and here’s how best to spend your time…

Singapore's Hippest Hotel - The Warehouse Hotel (& Po Restaurant)

“Achingly hip” – it is the only way to describe the lobby of The Warehouse Hotel.  We arrive at dusk, and the low lighting suffuses the gorgeous bar with warmth, while the dangling edison globes reveal an eclectically decorated loft.  A cathedral ceiling arches overhead, and exposed brickwork and metalwork give an industrial-chic vibe.  There is fashionable low slung furniture, filled with fashionable people, and cocktail glasses clink and sparkle in the subdued glow. Welcome to The Warehouse Hotel…

Decadent Dining at Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island

Capella Lodge is Lord Howe Island’s most glamorous accommodation, and its restaurant is a celebration of local produce and Pacific-inspired cuisine. Adding to that is its sublime location, with spectacular views of the island’s lagoon and iconic twin peaks, and the best spot on the island for a sunset cocktail…

An Indulgent Weekend in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales

A conference in Sydney and a sister in Sydney – a serendipitous aligning of the stars:  we are journeying East for the week.  But while the weekdays are occupied with work during the day and gastronomic adventures in Sydney’s finest epicurean establishments in the evenings, we are bookending our Monday to Friday with weekend adventures further afield.  First up is a journey to New South Wales’ iconic Hunter Valley…

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

We are talking as we drive – about holidays, where to go and how to do more of them.  The road is gravel and punctuated by kangaroos in the waning afternoon light.  Suddenly we are at the beach – a carpark, a campervan, a towel-clad couple returning from a swim.  Fortunately we had been warned by our hospitable car rental gentleman – “if you hit the beach, you’ve gone too far”.  We retrace our route.  Shortly we come to the small blue sign pointing us in the right direction – inconspicuous, but obvious enough when one is supposed to be looking specifically for a small blue sign.  We turn off and soon find ourselves at an elaborate entrance gate, incongruous in the scrubby dunes but an emphatic statement – welcome to Southern Ocean Lodge.

L'Hosteria del Castello di Verrazzano - Greve in Chianti (Italy)

As we took our seats our Waiter informed us "this is not a Three Michelin Star restaurant but this is a traditional restaurant, we serve local food and local produce".  It seemed a rather self deprecating way to introduce their Restaurant.  But for us, L'Hosteria del Castello di Verrazzano provided one of those highly memorable days that we will reminisce about for many years to come.

Lunch on Our Private Beach, Lizard Island, Queensland

We are about to set sail in our little motor boat, the Liz III, from Lizard Island’s main resort beach, off to explore Turtle Cove on the island’s southern coast.  The boat is all ours – no co-passengers, no skipper, no guide.  Just the two of us, our snorkelling gear, our underwater cameras and our enormous lunch – two eskies full of drinks and food that were hauled on board by the beach club crew, and now sitting low in the bow of our boat.