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- 7 hotel restaurants you'll be talking about for years
- Away from the glitz: Dubai's top low-key restaurants
- Tel Aviv Gay Pride parade: 'not an ugly man or woman in sight'
| 7 hotel restaurants you'll be talking about for years Posted: 10 Jun 2013 07:00 PM PDT Enough with the Michelin stars and starched tablecloths -- these hotels take your dinner and turn it into a life experience  The majority of hotel restaurants don't inspire excitement. They barely inspire appetites. Standard menus (will it be the burger or chicken fingers?) and pastel dining rooms are more likely to have you smacking your face than your lips. Some hotel restaurants, however, offer unique experiences and are worth the trip alone. Also on CNN: 15 unusual places to spend a night Velassaru Resort (Maldives)
This luxury resort's private dining options are all amazing, but it's the satay barbecue experience that we're drawn to. Sand-formed chairs on the beach might seem gimmicky, but they're fantastic. A four-course Indonesian feast is served at sunset and comes with a dedicated chef and waiter. Velassaru Resort, K. Velassaru, South Male Atoll, Maldives Islands, Maldives; rooms from $280; +960 665 6100 Longitude 131 (Australia)
With eternal Ayers Rock in the background, guests at this high-end outback hotel can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner under the stars. As diners tuck into native bush dishes such as crocodile, kangaroo and barramundi, a didgeridoo plays in the background and a traditional dance performance provides a glimpse into local Aboriginal culture. Longitude 131, 1 Yulara Dr., Yulara NT, Australia; rooms from $1,560; +61 8 8957 7131 Soneva Kiri Resort (Gulf of Thailand)
Once seated within the cozy bamboo dining pod at this beautiful retreat, guests are hoisted six meters into the air through a pulley system so they can feast among the treetops of an ancient rainforest. Skilled waiters swing to and fro delivering baskets of wine and food via zip line. Soneva Kiri Resort, 110 Moo 4, Koh Kood Sub-District, Koh Kood District, Trat, Thailand; rooms from $550; +66 (0)3961 9800 Also on CNN: World's 50 best restaurants for 2013 Hotel Ristorante Grotta Palazesse (Italy)
Located within a vaulted limestone cavern, this waterfront restaurant in Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy annually charms thousands of visitors between May and October. Sitting 74 feet above the Adriatic Sea, diners have enjoyed the amazing views from this spacious cave since the 1700s. Seafood and Mediterranean dishes are the house standards, but few bother to notice the food. Hotel Ristorante Grotta Palazesse, Via Narciso, 59, Polignano a Mare (Bari), Puglia; rooms from $150; +39 (0)80 4240677 Conrad Maldives (Maldives)
Amazing ocean views have put Ithaa, the Conrad Maldives' famed underwater restaurant, on numerous travel bucket lists and Pinterest boards. Located five meters below the water's surface and boasting 180-degree views of coral marine life, if this ultra-cool restaurant doesn't impress your date, get a new date. For those traveling as a family, kids are welcome for lunch, but not dinner. Conrad Maldives, Rangali Island, Maldives; rooms from $490; +960 668 0629 Treetops Lodge (Rotorua, New Zealand)
The wild food packages at this serene New Zealand retreat offer guests the chance to partake in a 4WD safari to observe the estate's varied wildlife before being led to forage in the bush for fresh herbs and spices. Organic ingredients collected are used by the lodge's acclaimed chefs to create the evening's dishes. The best part? Dinner is served al fresco in front of a cascading waterfall. Treetops Lodge, 351 Kearoa Road, RD1, Horohoro, Rotorua, New Zealand; rooms from $900; +64 7 333 2066 lebua at State Tower (Bangkok)
On the 63rd floor of this soaring five-star hotel, Sirocco is the world's highest al fresco restaurant. It offers gorgeous panoramas of Bangkok. In addition to the acclaimed Mediterranean-inspired fare, live music helps create a dreamlike atmosphere. As you'd expect, dinner with a view as spectacular as this one is quite popular -- reservations are recommended at least a week in advance. Lebua at State Tower, 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok; rooms from $135; +66 2624 9999 Also on CNN: World's least romantic hotels      |
| Away from the glitz: Dubai's top low-key restaurants Posted: 10 Jun 2013 03:00 PM PDT Because sometimes you just want to enjoy fine fare without all the fuss  In a city famous for selling the world's most expensive cupcake -- a 3,700 dirham ($1,007) artisan creation crafted with edible 23 carat gold leaves -- dining in Dubai can often be an exasperatingly pretentious experience. But, like any great city, Dubai has its share of relaxed eateries that serve delicious fare without the fuss. Betawi Cafe
Decorated in cheerful greens, Betawi Cafe buzzes with hungry Indonesian expatriates. A highlight is the gado gado and sweet ketupat rice cakes, hidden among fresh vegetables, drowned in thick satay sauce. Favorites such as chicken satay and soto betawi (traditional Jakartan coconut soup) are good for sharing. If you want an introduction to Indonesian flavors, there's the nasi padang, a comprehensive selection of small vegetable and meat dishes arranged around a mountain of fragrant rice. Average price for two people: 75 dirhams ($20) Our recommendation: nasi padang Chef's recommendation: soto betawi Betawi Cafe, 4 B St., Al Karama (behind Park Regis Hotel); +971 0567 598 118; Saturday-Thursday, noon-11 p.m., Friday 2-11 p.m. More on CNN: 7 of the best restaurants in Dubai Special Ostadi Restaurant
Then throw in a handful of traditionally garbed Emirati diners, a bunch of antique mobile phones plastered to the wall, tiny caged birds tweeting in the corners and one of the most enigmatic maitre d's in the city. Special Ostadi Restaurant is a happy, raucous celebration of simple, honest food. It's a mainstay of Dubai's restaurant scene, famous for its quirky ambiance and succulent meat. For the best of Osatadi's offerings, there's the mixed grill. It's a platter of different kebabs marinated in tangy yogurt, aromatic saffron and complex spices. The lunch menu expands to include khoresht (stew), a delicious okra and mutton dish. If you ask they'll bring you some off-the-menu tadik, a crispy basmati rice pancake served with a lively tomato and lentil sauce. Average price for two people: 80 dirhams ($22) Our recommendation: okra and mutton khoresht Chef's recommendation: mixed grill Al Musalla Road, Al Fahidi (close to Al Fahidi metro station); +971 04 397 1469; Saturday-Thursday, noon-4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m., Friday, 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Xiao Wei Yang Hotpot
Stepping through the big glass doors transports you to a scene of loud, bustling chaos that might be mistaken for mainland China. This one is by Chinese, for Chinese. Western palates are an afterthought. The concept is simple: an enormous bubbling cauldron of spicy broth sits atop your table. Throw small portions of food into the pot and cook them yourself. The diversity of foods for your hotpot is expansive, ranging from paper-thin sliced lamb, dumplings exploding with flavor and silken tofu to more exotic dishes, such as beef stomach and crab eggs. While the staff excel at serving outstanding food, English isn't a strong suit. Average price for two people: 200 dirhams ($55) Our recommendation: crispy scallion pancakes Chef's recommendation: shrimp dumplings Baniyas Road, Deira (next to Twin Tower); +971 04 221 5111; Monday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m. More on CNN: Ultimate Dubai stopover guide Ravi Restaurant
Dishing up authentic Pakistani food since 1979 at a busy Satwa location, Ravi is one of Dubai's most celebrated restaurants. There's nothing fancy about the place. Outside, diners sit on plastic chairs lined against rows of communal steel tables. Inside, the arrangement is similarly casual, just bathed under a fluorescent glow. It's not the atmosphere you come for, but the simple dishes at ridiculously cheap prices. Favorites include daal fry -- creamy, perfectly cooked yellow lentils seasoned with fried onion and fresh green chili. Mutton tikka is popular -- tender boneless chunks of mutton marinated with coriander seeds and red chili, grilled to perfection. Average price for two people: 60 dirhams ($16) Our recommendation: mutton tikka Chef's recommendation: chicken jalfrezi 2nd of December Street, Satwa (on the corner of Satwa roundabout); +971 04 331 8482; Sunday-Saturday, 5 a.m.-2:30 a.m., Friday 5 a.m.-noon, 1 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Tagine Al Fasi
Fiery homemade harissa exploding with spice and chunky loaves of Moroccan bread pair excellently with the menu. Lamb and prune tagine is a standout, the sweet contrast of dried fruit balancing the thick salty gravy, boiled eggs and roast nuts. A serving of couscous is a meal in itself; an expertly cooked lamb shank adorns a fluffy summit, accompanied by stewed vegetables imbued with stock. For dessert, the handmade Moroccan sweet samosas, bursting with syrup, are a prize. Average price for two people: 80 dirhams ($22) Our recommendation: lamb and prune tagine Chef's recommendation: lamb couscous Al Doha Street, Hor Al Anz (opposite Al Manar Hotel Apartments); +971 0557 798 582; Sunday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-midnight, Friday 1-10 p.m. More on CNN: Dubai: Some of the best experiences are free (almost) Zagol Restaurant
Traditional low stools with hand-embroidered cushions, circular tables designed to socialize around and warm interior walls converge in a perfect storm of African hospitality. Ethiopian food consists mainly of sourdough flatbread (injera) and stews (wat). Because the flour used to make the sourdough comes from grain indigenous to Ethiopia, freshbread is flown in twice daily from the homeland. For groups, we recommend the Zagol special, a huge platter of sourdough heaped with a selection of lentil, vegetable, chicken and lamb stews. Another star is the doro wat, an intensely zesty chicken stew with a rich tomato base served with boiled eggs and mild spices. Average price for two people: 75 dirhams ($20) Our recommendation: Zagol special Chef's recommendation: doro wat 4 B St., Al Karama (behind Park Regis Hotel); +971 04 357 7740; Monday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-midnight    |
| Tel Aviv Gay Pride parade: 'not an ugly man or woman in sight' Posted: 10 Jun 2013 09:19 AM PDT Tanned, toned and hairless -- all's fab in Israel's party city at the year's most hedonistic party 
Men in pink hot pants walk side by side with couples wearing rainbow-colored kippot (skullcaps), while dance-fueled floats crawl through the center of this liberal and hedonistic city. Tourists swell the crowdAn estimated 25,000 tourists are swelling the crowds at this year's event, a figure that's risen considerably in recent years. "I love Tel Aviv," says a man who identifies himself as "Mo," who has only just come out to his family. 'Running around naked'"Coming to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem is like going from detention after class to being able to run around the school naked," says Yair, an Israeli visiting the city especially for the parade. There are more six packs at the parade's beach party finale than at your local supermarket. The city is famous for its modernist Bauhaus architecture, the clean-lined functional style that still attracts thousands of admirers a year. Many travelers are drawn by the city's lively present. Trendy cafes pop up daily in the artist's colony of Gan Hahashamal, as do boutique restaurants on the Marina and hummus restaurants on the renovated streets of Yafo. But Tel Aviv believes it represents the future of Israel -- the thousands of people dancing at the beach party on this day would no doubt agree. Tags:    |
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