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High tea at the Burj Al Arab on glitzy Dubai's Jumeirah beach strip, is on every tourist to-do list. With celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Andre Agassi famous for frequenting the 7 star venue, it's little wonder, "When I think of luxury I think of this hotel." Says Claudia Schiffer of the city's iconic hotel.
Inside the dhow shaped building is so exclusive most local residents have never seen the interior, preferring to save such sight for a special occasion. A reservation is required to enter, or a price for the pleasure of foyer perusal. If residents have had the pleasure of dining they were probably wanting to show off Dubai's high life to visiting friends, themselves tourists at the time.
Three restaurants offer high tea, the most popular being Sahn Eddar. This is a first class lounge directly under the world's tallest atrium. Upon arrival, a smiling waiter addresses you as Sir or Ma'am and offers a refreshing glass of Moet or sparkling apple and peach. You will be seated by glass walls with panoramic views of sparkling aqua coastline and find yourself listening to a string quartet serenading diners to classical versions of pop music.
The arrival of absolute decadent afternoon tea begins with crustless cucumber finger sandwiches, pineapple and prawn h'ourderves, a beef carvery serving, followed by light sorbet, then tea selection, English style scones, whipped cream and a divine jam assortment. Yes, you read beef and sorbet mid way there - a good sign when one is required to de-sensitise one's palette, darling!
Not long into the many courses of tea and sandwiches, you will find yourself thanking the existence of the 7th Duchess of Bedford who accidently invented afternoon tea back in the 1840's. She would secretly binge on small meals to bridge the gap til dinner. When the world found out they embraced such a radical idea, and today we have the Burj al Arab to remind us of what a pleasure tea and scones really is.
Your extravagant treats continue with a mixed berry basket, French pastries, chocolates and petit fours and then more tea. A tip from me is to arrive with very empty belly and make no dinner plans, you will be too stuffed!
Whilst in the vicinity a must is to explore the interior of such an iconic building. Whereas a night's stay at the hotel will set you back a fortune, many people opt for high tea just to have a look around. The Burj Al Arab's reputation for tacky glamour precedes the hotel interior; its vibe is definitely elegance-meets-cinema-foyer. But after sussing out the entire building I have decided too much gold and Vegas casino reminiscent foyers are all part of the fun and it just wouldn't be a landmark for Dubai with any other design.
Viewing Time: If you want a sneak peek around go to a 3pm sitting of tea because between 5-6pm there is ‘viewing' time on certain levels and restaurants; Sky View for an amazing aerial over Dubai's shoreline, Swarovski Bar to see spectacular crystal elegance and the famous Fish Restaurant where diners are seated next to a fish tank wall which feels like the bottom of the ocean. Definitely worth a look in!
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Australia's Sydney Harbour Captain Cook Cruise's offers a Sydney dining experience with a lot of pizzaz - sampling first class cuisine aboard a cruise liner! Circling Sydney's waterside by the light of day, under a starry sky or even as a dreamy sun sets over the waters, enjoy iconic sights of the most famous Harbour city as you tuck into a three-course Top Deck lunch cruise.
Gliding past the Sydney Opera House on the very boat reserved for the Pope's visit to Sydney and floating under the Harbour Bridge, The Sydney Harbour Cruise Top Deck a la carte three course menu is presented for your unforgettable dining experience. Lunch is served to you by friendly waiting staff adorned in mood-setting nautical attire and staff serve up the healthy and delectable cuisine with a smile. I recommend the salmon for main as this chunky and crisp, delicious fish accompanied by baked potatoes and tartar sauce will truly make your mouth water. Bookings are taken for lunch or dinner, with a romantic champagne package option. Alternatively, there is a bar if you prefer a spontaneous glass of bubbly once on board.
After food and drinks, head up to the top deck for some sunshine and a sensational view of the dazzling waters, boating life and city-scapes. The best location for happy snapping with you camera is from the top of the boat! When the cruise comes to an end, there are two drop-off points, the final stop is at a Circular Quay, where you also check in and board.
Recommended: Sydney Harbour Cruise by Captain Cook Cruises is a great way for tourists to see popular city icons, and as much of Sydney as they can in a short amount of time, upon dazzling waters and with elegant food! Also a great idea for locals looking for a special occasion meal - imagine what success a business lunch would bring against this backdrop!
Longrain Restaurant in Australia's Sydney is often referred to as Sydney's most famous Asian restaurant. Popping up in Sydney just over ten years ago, Longrain Restaurant serves tantalizing Thai and Chinese influenced food with delightful cocktail infusions, and is credited with the revival of the Caprioska stick drink.
Located in Sydney's downtown Surry Hills, where trendy creative's are known to work and socialize, Longrain Restaurant is a meeting hub for friends, partners and networkers. The contemporary eatery has been cleverly designed in a 110 year-old warehouse space - with a buzzing central open-plan kitchen, bar lounge to the left, and dining area to the right. All under one large open-plan roof, the dining area is one long table. Guests are seated next to strangers, which ultimately creates a lively, buzzing atmosphere, set to sultry sounds from the resident DJ- in fact, by popular demand - you can buy the Longrain CD should you wish to recreate the ambience at home.
The dining idea at Longrain is that you enjoy a cocktail in the Longrain lounge-bar before sitting down to eat. And if you do, I recommend snacking on smoked trout on betel leaf, before being escorted to the exciting shared dining table. This delightful starter snack, infuses sweet and sour flavours to the betel leaf mixtures; trout roe, ginger, smoked trout, lime juice, coriander, eshallots, and red chillies. Dear reader, take it from me: this equals heaven for your mouth, and eagerness from your belly for more.
Once seated at the dinner table, menus designed byExecutive Chef, Martin Boetz, are presented. Dishes served are designed to be shared, with approximately one main between four mouths, as per Asian tradition. Longrain Thai restaurant is all about balancing flavours, so plates will arrive with accompanying sauces and sides to do just that.
Waiting staff happily recommend wine to complement the spicy chilli flavours of Asian dishes. Two amazing concoctions must be recommended, Eggnet sidedish, and carmelised pork hock with chilli vinegar, where pork hocks are carmelised in a honey-like consistency. Not being a pork enthusiast, I was hesitant to try, but the dish came highly recommended to me... and I am now passing that recommendation on to you - a divine food indulgence. The eggnet dish comprises a beansprout salad inside an impressive cross-hatch egg netting. Prawn, beansprouts and cucumber relish complement a taste sensation of peanuts, chilli, mint, coriander, and coconut. Amazing.
Longrain Restaurant in Sydney makes for a thrilling atmosphere and a taste-bud treat, this restaurant is definitely an experience of the senses.
Dazzling dining views at Harbour Bar and Kitchen, Park Hyatt Sydney, Australia
Harbour Bar and Kitchen Restaurant at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Sydney, Australia, gives you dazzling, iconic waterfront views, perfect for sunset dining. Watch a sky change colour against magical architecture of the Sydney Opera House, as city night lights switch on and dusk falls. Park Hyatt's Harbour Bar and Kitchen is the perfect Sydney setting to enjoy fine food.
Located directly across from the Sydney Opera House, under Sydney's Harbour Bridge in the Rocks, Park Hyatt's Harbour Kitchen & Bar is open for lunch or dinner. Serving tantalizing, internationally-inspired, Australian cuisine from a wood-fired oven, rotisserie and char grill.
Perfectly positioned where boardwalk meets ocean, this is your opportunity to soak in a beautiful atmosphere while enjoying preliminary cocktails at the bar. People-watching here is fascinating; romantic strollers pass by, business walkers-and-talkers relax, tourists marvel at such amazing views along the boardwalk - why not arrive early and enjoy a walk yourself?
In the bar you can enjoy a martini, cocktail or boutique beer in classic elegance - a chic interior by creative designer, Tony Chi. Floor-to-ceiling windows showing off a most iconic Sydney view creates a light and airy ambience, complemented with jazz on Friday and Saturday nights.
Moving into the restaurant area of Harbour Bar and Kitchen doesn't mean you forgo the harbour view and Opera House. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows blissfully continue into the eatery! All the worries of the world fade away as you succumb to a luxurious first class dining service. Your friendly wait-staff lay napkins upon laps, as you choose from an exquisite seasonal menu.
The tantalizing dishes have been carefully engineered by Executive Chef, Andrew Mckee, hailing from Park Hyatt Asia fame. I recommend an entrée of summer pork terrine - as much for the artistic colour and presentation, as for the exquisite taste. Mains offered are such delicious dishes as wood-roasted barramundi, Tasmanian wilderness beef short rib, or Byron Bay Kurobuta pork. While seated at your water-facing table, glance behind to watch the Chef and his kitchen staff prepare their amazing cuisine in the open-plan kitchen. Or glance ahead to gaze at water sparkling views - what a choice!
The sommelier is at hand to recommend complementing wine from an extensive walk-in cellar of imported and local wines. Offering expertise from his French homeland, the sommelier's wealth of knowledge is astounding. The Pastry Chef, Fabien Berteau, has designed a fine dessert selection for your heavenly pleasure. I tried the Black Forest dessert consisting of 70% Valrhona organic chocolate topped with kirsch flavoured cream - yes, this incredible dessert comes thoroughly recommended by me.
Don't miss the present weekday lunch offer. Including main meal, glass of wine, dining service of luxury and divine views, plus valet parking - for $AU39.
Harbour Bar and Kitchen, Park Hyatt Sydney, is the perfect Sydney dining experience, a special dining encounter you won't want others to know about. But now you do. Enjoy...