Destinations: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

The 7 Most Instagrammable Four Seasons Desserts

Posted on by Alison Miller

Who says dessert has to wait until after dinner? You may find sumptuous confections from Four Seasons pastry chefs hard to postpone. From architectural hot chocolate to a tarte au framboise worthy of its own Pantone colour, these courses are ready for their close-up.

 

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Montblanc in Jakarta

At Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta’s chic La Patisserie, you can be a kid in a debonair candy store. The boutique’s gold-leaf ceiling, robin’s-egg blue walls and sparkling chandelier set the stage for Executive Pastry Chef Lorenzo Sollecito’s exquisite sweets. In his artful Montblanc, smooth chestnut crèmoux and a Chantilly of mascarpone and Madagascar vanilla rest on a crunchy alpen butter cookie. Sink into the settee and prepare to evoke Instagram envy. It’s almost too pretty to eat.

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Molten Cake in Bahrain Bay

Executive Pastry Chef Imad Boukli’s version of the Jean-Georges classic is a decadent mixture of crisp and smooth – 70 percent dark-chocolate cake with a liquid centre, paired with homemade vanilla ice cream and spritzed with a fragrant coffee foam. “I love watching our guests’ reactions once they break the crust of the cake and the warm chocolate melts its way through the frosty vanilla scoop,” Boukli says. “It’s a decadent, hot-icy experience for all dessert lovers.”

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay

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Deconstructed Carrot Cake Macaron in Washington, DC

Pastry Chef Moliere Patrice’s comfort-food take on the French macaron is served alongside deconstructed versions of two other iconic American desserts – a s’more and a pecan tart – during the Seasons Sunday Brunch at Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC.

Patrice sources almond flour from his hometown – Brooklyn – for the macaron, and rich, sweetened cream cheese replaces the customary ganache filling. The delicate beauty is finished with carrot cake crumbs and a dusting of cinnamon. “Between Seasons Restaurant, in-room dining, private events and more, our pastry team has to find inspiration for hundreds of different desserts each month,” says Executive Chef Andrew Court. “They’re all fantastic, but I think the most successful creations are influenced by some type of special connection, whether that be a hometown ingredient, a take on a classic recipe or, in this case, both. It’s amazing to see their creativity come to life.”

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Le Baba au Rhum Mojito, Trilogie de Chocolat and La Framboise in Hong Kong

French techniques flourish along with two Michelin stars at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong restaurant Caprice. By bestowing on le baba au rhum the flavours of mint and lime, pastry chef Nicolas Lambert gives it a Cuban kick. The elegant trilogie de chocolat combines the caramel crunch of feuillantine with milky Valrhona Chantilly and white chocolate namelaka, a Japanese ganache whose name translates to “creamy texture.” Lambert’s framboise is a study in subtlety that celebrates the marriage of raspberry and lemon. “Pastry is pleasure for the palate,” Lambert says. “I associate flavour with texture, and I like to play with three or four textures at a time. Once I have the textures and the flavour right, I think about presentation. For me, the most important part of pastry is that it’s tasty – or gourmand, as we say in France.”

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Tarte au Framboise in Casablanca

Executive Pastry Chef Thierry Mette’s raspberry tart is sensory delight of multiple dimensions. Sweet dough filled with almond cream is topped with vanilla Chantilly, then bejewelled with a tower of fresh raspberries and a dusting of icing sugar. “It’s an iconic dessert that represents the best in French pastry techniques delivered in its simplest form,” says Mette, a 28-year Four Seasons veteran from Brittany, France. And it’s just as easy on the palate as it is on the eyes.

Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca

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Haute Chocolate in Vail

A pièce de résistance for après-ski since the Resort’s opening in 2010, this architectural beverage turns heads when it’s served tableside at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail’s Remedy Bar. An attentive server delivers a mug topped with a homemade marshmallow on a chocolate lattice, and then carefully pours steaming hot Valrhona chocolate and steamed milk from a traditional French pot. The finishing touch? Chocolate shavings and a dollop of whipped cream. “When we first started serving it, we actually had the marshmallow inside the mug,” says Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Schweska. “But soon we realized our guests wanted something more experiential, so we put the marshmallow atop the lattice, providing the ultimate hot chocolate experience.”

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail

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City at night

Raising a Foodie: 7 Tips on Travelling with Picky Eaters

Posted on by Nikki Ridgway

One of our first family holidays was to an island in the Caribbean — an easy hop from New York City with plenty of kid-friendly beach activities and local spots serving up fish-of-the-day and curried rôtis. Unfortunately, at the time we arrived, our toddler son was going through a culinary beige stage and rejecting any new flavour. So instead of risking mealtime tantrums and eye-rolls from our fellow (generally honeymooning) diners, we’d resigned ourselves to a drama-free menu of cereal, cheese sandwiches and cheese pasta.

It was on a boat trip out to the cays that we had a breakthrough. While my son and I splashed around in the sea, my husband and our captain dived for conch, which we took to a deserted beach to prepare in the afternoon sun. When we’d cleaned, prepped and chopped the catch into a citrusy ceviche, our captain handed a few pieces to my son, who ate them without ceremony.

“Was that nice?” I asked, trying to hide my utter joy. “Mmm,” he replied, then went back to building a sandcastle.

A gourmet feast it wasn’t, but I couldn’t help feeling proud and relieved that he’d at least tried something new.

Novelty is one thing you’re absolutely guaranteed to encounter on the road. I use it to lure my boy from his comfort zone on all our travels, along with a host of other tricks to encourage and foster adventurous eating. Read on for my seven best tips, from crafting culinary treasure hunts on city trips to perfecting the foodie sleight of hand wherever you are in the world.

Get a taste before you travel

Kids are creatures of habit, so take some of the surprise out of their vacation menu and introduce new dishes at a local restaurant before you travel. This is easy in cities like New York and London, where you can travel from Little Italy to Chinatown in a few blocks. But you can also set up a restaurant night at home and have the kids research ingredients, draw up a menu and help with some of the prep.

With younger children, get them excited about weird and wonderful food in general and pick up a copy of food critic Joshua Daniel Stein’s beautifully illustrated Can I Eat That?, which is stuffed full of foodie facts and addresses important questions like “Do eggs grow on eggplants?”

Visit local food markets

Photography courtesy Nibble+squeak

A visit to a local food market on Day One is a great way to familiarize your kids with the types of ingredients they’ll encounter over the course of the trip.

When visiting London, for example, combine a trip to the South Bank’s Tate Modern museum and kid-favourite London Eye Ferris wheel with a stop at Borough Market. Here, kids can note regional edibles like hand-collected scallops from Dorset, Cumbria’s prized Galloway beef and prize-winning Cheddar cheeses. As you order new dishes throughout the trip, make a fun game out of having them point out any special ingredients they recognize.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Guests at Four Seasons Hotel Santa Fe can join Executive Chef Kai Autenrieth on a tour of a local food market and get acquainted with all the staples of his fiery Southwestern cooking.

Embrace street food culture

Photography courtesy Shutterstock

Street eats are perfect family fare: fast, casual and available at all hours. In Istanbul, you can pick up a bagel-like simit from one of the carts on virtually every street corner to stave off hungry tantrums, while in Hanoi, children can enjoy the independence of ordering for themselves thanks to the simple picture menus used at most stalls.

The key is that the dining room can be the sidewalk, a scenic walking tour or a bench nearby, which means you won’t have to worry about disturbing diners at the next table. And since street food doesn’t call for proper table manners, you and your family can relax while eating, instead of continually ensuring that everyone is sitting quietly in their chairs.

Combine your street food with a picturesque view by finding a great local picnic spot, like the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia, or Fort Point in San Francisco, California.

Try edible sightseeing

Kids quickly tire from back-to-back rounds of sightseeing, but combining the big attractions with a pre-plotted restaurant crawl around a new city is a perfect way to see the sights and keep everyone fed and happy.

In Hong Kong, Michael Lau and Jacky Cheung, managers at three-Michelin-star Lung King Heen restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, suggest a dining crawl that takes in many of the city’s iconic dishes: Milk tea at Lan Fong Yuen, wonton soup at Mak’s Noodle, dim sum at Tim Ho Wan, tofu custard at Kung Wo Dou Bun Chong and egg tart at Tai Cheong Bakery.

“The key to discovering Hong Kong street food [and thus the country’s culture] is to be a bit adventurous,” says Lau.

Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

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In Paris, score serious brownie points on a small-group chocolate walking tour of the city’s best chocolatiers and patisseries (tastings included), or keep it classic in New York City with a pizza crawl around Manhattan. Four Seasons Hotel New York Concierge Austin Herzing suggests long-time favourite Don Antonio by Starita, which is just four blocks from Times Square and therefore a prime pick for pre- or post-theatre dinners. Farther downtown, Herzing recommends Marta, a popular spot that puts you within snapping distance of the Flatiron Building and busy Madison Square Park, as well as Chef Mario Batali’s upscale pizza restaurant OTTO — perfect after exploring the boutiques and cafés of the nearby West Village.

Get the kids cooking

As parents of picky eaters will attest, playing chef is one sure-fire way to get kids out of their comfort food zone. “Having children involved in food preparation really helps make food less of the enemy,” explains Paulette Lambert, Director of Nutrition at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, which offers a variety of cookery classes for young ones. “Most kids want to fit in, so they are generally much more adventurous in class than at home.”

At Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi budding chefs don small aprons and chef’s hats and learn the basics of making breads, pastries and other delicacies at the Hotel’s market-inspired Crust restaurant. At Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, the Kids For All Seasons programme gives young ones the chance to make anything from Thai pancakes to cookies.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island

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Don’t skip the posh restaurants

Travelling with children who are picky eaters doesn’t mean giving up memorable dinners at upscale restaurants. In fact, parents should take advantage of kids’ early-bird mealtime and score a reservation before rush hour at a local hot spot. Add some theatre to the occasion by choosing a restaurant with an open-plan kitchen or chef’s counter, so kids can engage with the team and appreciate just what goes into preparing their meal.

At Four Seasons Hotel Austin’s fine-dining restaurant TRIO, children can order from a dedicated kids’ menu (from a PB&J to grilled white fish with vegetables and rice) and dine with custom dishes and silverware that were specially designed for little hands. Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane offers two children’s menus at its upscale Italian restaurant, Amaranto – the Il Bambino menu for early eaters and one for older diners, with teen-favourite paninis, pasta, pizza and gelato.

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

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Alternatively, seek out a family-focused dining club like Nibble + squeak, which hosts popular parent-and-tot meals at some of New York, London and Washington, DC’s best restaurants. The most recent lunch in NYC was a sold-out takeover of Chef Enrique Olvera’s white-hot Cosme restaurant, and there are upcoming events at the President Obama-approved Vermillon in DC, and London’s award-winning Modern Pantry.

Serve their favourites, with local spice

“Como se dice french fries?” Ideally, you don’t say it at all, but if your children won’t stray from their favourites, find the local equivalent. At Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, for example, Chef Patricia Ramos at Nuestra Secreto restaurant recommends tempting kids with the pacu croquettes, small fillets of fried fish that will seem very familiar to lovers of fish fingers.

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires

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Playing translator can be key to getting kids on board with strange-sounding foods. You might get a “no” to trying chicken roti in the Caribbean, for example, but not if you suggest ordering the chicken wrap – its exact equivalent. Or pitch the “cheese sandwich” instead of an arepa in Colombia, or “pasta” over dumpling-like manti in Turkey.

And remember, wherever you are in the world, ice cream (gelato, kulfi, dondurma, mochi ice cream) is always a hit.

Your Journey Begins Here

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Explore

27 New Ways to Eat (and Drink) Local

Posted on by Rebecca Troyer

Natives of Buenos Aires will tell you that you haven’t fully experienced Argentina until you’ve enjoyed an authentic asado-style meal – a revered weekend dining ritual where families and friends grill meats, tables are filled with salads and appetizers, and local red wines flow freely. You haven’t tasted Indonesia, locals say, until you’ve sampled babi guling, aka roast suckling pig, from the beach in Bali. And in Florence, it’s an unwritten rule that la passeggiata (a traditional evening stroll) is incomplete without a scoop of creamy gelato.

The fastest and most enjoyable way for travellers to immerse themselves in the culture of any corner of the world is to dive into the culinary scene – order traditional dishes, explore food markets and local farms, and speak to chefs and home cooks about their favourite recipes.

Taste of Place, a new series of fine dining experiences from Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, is designed so guests can do exactly that. Its goal is to bring travellers and locals who have an appetite for exploration together with the flavours and cultures of places like Cairo, Koh Samui and Lanai.

During these epicurean adventures, you’ll visit markets and farms to sample and gather fresh ingredients commonly used in local cuisine. Many experiences include cooking classes alongside expert chefs, where you’ll learn how the traditions and customs of a region are reflected in the preparation and seasoning of its food. And each Taste of Place offering includes one or more chef-prepared meals, served in an unforgettable setting.

Scroll through the gallery above to get a taste of specific food tourism offerings around the globe.

Taste of Place joins an already extensive portfolio of Four Seasons culinary innovations, including the recently launched “Culinary Discoveries” itinerary on board the Four Seasons Private Jet. This new itinerary, developed in partnership with René Redzepi and the Noma team, is a once-in-a-lifetime cross-continental culinary journey through the finest kitchens, freshest markets and most exquisite dining experiences in the world. Learn more about how you can see Europe and Asia through the eyes of a Michelin-starred chef here.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Choose a destination that best suits your tastes

Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Your Ticket to the World’s Most Epic Culinary Adventure

Posted on by Veronica Chambers

Noma is considered by many to be the world’s most influential restaurant. In 2017, the Copenhagen restaurant’s team and Four Seasons partner for a nine-city, 19-day, once-in-a-lifetime Private Jet journey. Noma Chef René Redzepi curated the food tourism itinerary to connect guests with his culinary friends around the world.

Look behind the scenes


Noma Kitchen Copenhagen

One of two Four Seasons Private Jet Experiences available in 2017, the Culinary Discoveries trip introduces guests to top chefs and producers for discussions, foraging expeditions, cooking classes, communal meals and street-food adventures – each experience designed to reveal something not only about the destination’s culinary heritage, but about its culture.

As with every Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, the in-air services and amenities – from the hand-stitched Italian leather flat-bed seats to the latest vintage of Dom Pérignon – are unbeatable, helping to make the journey as enjoyable as the destinations.

SEOUL | May 27–29, 2017

Seoul Old City Skyline

A blend of historic tradition and modern accommodations, Seoul offers travellers an immersive cultural and culinary experience.

Photography courtesy Reabirdna / Thinkstock

Chef cooking duck in Seoul

At Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, dine at Yu Yuan, which features a Peking duck oven for preparing the restaurant’s signature dish.

Seoul Fermenting Urns

Temples use soy sauce and kimchi fermenting pots as a part of creating traditional temple food, which enriches the practice of meditation.

Photography courtesy Alex Barlow / Getty Images

In this burgeoning food destination, the journey begins with a truly exclusive experience: dining at the home of Chef Jong Kuk Lee, a pioneer in the city’s farm-to-table movement. Lee was trained as a painter, but his passion for authentic Korean food has made him a self-taught master of traditional cooking and fermentation. Although he’s more likely to shy away from a spotlight than to seek one out, he has gained renown among those in the know. “I’ve personally been to his home for dinner, and it’s a very sought-after experience,” Redzepi says.

The next day, guests will visit Mount Bukhan and Jin-Kwan temple for a private demonstration of the centuries-old practice of creating temple food – meals designed to enhance meditation. A trip to the pioneering “New Korean” restaurant Jungsik, noted as the first restaurant to apply molecular gastronomy to Korean ingredients, rounds out your time in Seoul.

Between outings, guests will find that Four Seasons Hotel Seoul mirrors the city’s intoxicating mix of venerable history and modern sensibility. Here, Noma Managing Director Peter Kreiner will begin the conversation series with insights into innovation and creativity at Noma. As managing director, Kreiner has created a business model that prioritises the kitchen staff’s inventiveness and the guest’s experience. That deep respect for artisanship has proved wildly successful for Noma, and it is a value widely embraced in Korea.

TOKYO | May 29–June 1, 2017

Tokyo food vendor

Experience authentic, traditional street food in downtown Tokyo, and shop at the famous Tsukiji fish market.

Photography (right) courtesy Getty Images

Tokyo Ginza District

Home to flagship luxury stores and the latest in Tokyo fashion, the Ginza district promises a lively shopping excursion.

Tokyo Tea Ceremony

The Tokyo experience begins with a traditional tea ceremony, which involves the preparation and presentation of green tea made from matcha, the powdered form.

Photography courtesy fancy.yan / Getty Images

In 2015, the entire Noma team, along with their families, moved to Japan for six weeks to open a pop-up restaurant with an entirely new menu, new ingredients and new techniques. The Tokyo stop invites guests to see the city the Noma way, from foraging in the city’s outskirts to attending a private dinner with Chef Namae Shinobu at his Michelin-starred L’Effervescence.

For me, Japanese cuisine is on par with all of the greatest cuisines of the world. The range of food, the culinary traditions and the products are amazing. – René Redzepi

Here, you’ll get to explore the famous Tsukiji fish market, one of the largest in the world. “The best fish market I’ve seen is the one in Tokyo,” Redzepi says. “When you go to good ones – the ones that have all of the weird creatures that are in the ocean – it’s like watching a documentary of all of the shapes, sizes and colours of the ocean.”

From Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi, venture out to visit a Redzepi favourite, Switch Coffee, or take a private samurai sword-fighting lesson with the choreographer for the movie Kill Bill. Redzepi hasn’t tried the latter yet; he jokes, “I don’t think knife skills in the kitchen would get you very far in a sword fight.”

HONG KONG | June 1–3, 2017

Hong Kong Red Sailboat

Sipping cocktails at sunset, cruise across Victoria Harbour in one of the ancient Chinese sailing ships known commonly as red-sail junk boats.

Photography courtesy Yongyuan Dai / Getty Images

Hong Kong Street Chef

Taste fresh, local cuisine as you work your way through traditional food markets in downtown Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Temple Street Market

A bustling market filled with local delicacies and performers, Temple Street night market will appeal to all of your senses.

Photography courtesy Nikada / Getty Images

Hong Kong is the perfect next “course.” Although the city moves fast, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong is a luxurious getaway, with stunning views of Victoria Harbour, Kowloon and the mountaintop known as the Peak. Enjoy dim sum at the Hotel’s three-Michelin-starred Lung King Heen, cocktails in a red-sail junk boat and a traditional banquet with a whole suckling pig at Fook Lam Moon. “I’m personally very excited about Hong Kong, as it’s a place I’ve always wanted to go,” Redzepi says.

Excitement is certainly on the menu at Bo Innovation, where Chef Alvin Leung, Jr., hosts an “X-treme Chinese Dinner” to immerse you in the avant-garde intersection of molecular gastronomy and modern Chinese cuisine. Get a taste of more traditional local cuisine and culture with a visit to the labyrinthine market to purchase ingredients like dried seafood or the spiky-skinned durian fruit, or to grab a quick bite of roast chicken and an ice-cold beer.

CHIANG MAI | June 3–6, 2017

Chiang Mai Strawberry Field

In Chiang Mai, strawberry fields are plentiful, surrounded by beautiful mountains and filled with delicious fresh berries.

Chiang Mai Elephants

Explore the verdant jungle of Thailand as you ride atop an elephant to a nearby hill tribe village.

Shopkeepers and rice bowls in Chiang Mai

Discover fresh, organic food with a visit to the bustling Warorot Market (at left) and the Royal Project farm, where Thai jasmine rice (at right) is grown.

Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, surrounded by a lush mix of jungle and mountains, offers a distinct change from the urban destinations. Former Noma Chef Garima Arora, whom Redzepi describes as “one of the super talents that has been through our kitchen,” joins the group here for a meal and a visit to a Royal Project farm to see sustainable farming models under development in Thailand. The Royal Project is an initiative of the king’s to replace opium farming with agricultural production that provides far-reaching economic and social benefits to the communities in the country’s highland areas.

Guests will begin their stay in Chiang Mai with an elephant excursion to a nearby village, and at the end of the first day they will embark on another local adventure: the nightlife. Bo.Lan restaurant founder Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava, recently named one of Asia’s best female chefs, hosts a “Not Your Average Curry” dinner and a night on the town.

MUMBAI | June 6–8, 2017

Mumbai Rooftop Bar

Take in the views of the vibrant city from 34 storeys above it at AER, the rooftop bar at Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai.

Mumbai Indian Spices

Learn about spices from an expert as you prepare traditional Indian specialties with former Noma chef Garima Arora.

Photography courtesy Natasha Breen / Alamy

Mumbai Dabbawala

Mumbai’s dabbawala workers pick up freshly made meals from their clients’ homes daily and deliver the containers to the workplace in time for lunch.

Arora, originally from Mumbai, joins the journey here too. “I wanted her to become one of the lead managers in the kitchen at Noma, but alas, she was homesick,” says Redzepi – and this colourful and flavour-filled conclusion to the Asian portion of the adventure will explain why.

Guests can head out from Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai to find some of the most innovative street food in the world. Arora leads guests through Crawford Market to sample kebabs, mutton biryani and other beloved dishes, and then leads them through the preparation (and enjoyment) of a meal of traditional Indian food. Back at the Hotel, cocktails and conversation await: Noma Chairman Marc Blazer will share his thoughts on the behind-the-scenes workings of Noma as a global business model.

FLORENCE | June 8–10, 2017

Florence Skyline Duomo

During your stop in Florence, admire gorgeous views of the main monuments, including the Duomo.

Photography courtesy Nuno Alves / 500px

Florence Butcher Dario Cecchini

For the last 40 years, butcher extraordinaire Dario Cecchini has been perfecting the art of cutting and cooking meat.

Photography courtesy SFM ITALY A / Alamy

Florence Vineyard

With hills, vineyards, olive groves and farmhouses, Tenuta di Valgiano offers both beautiful views and delicious wines of Tuscany.

Photography courtesy Tenuta di Volgiano

From an optional day trip to Damiano Donati’s bistro in Lucca to a deep exploration of history and terroir at Tenuta di Valgiano winery, together Noma and Four Seasons Hotel Firenze present the best of Tuscany. Meet a member of the extended Noma family: eighth-generation butcher Dario Cecchini in Chianti. “Dario comes from an amazing tradition of craft and skill, something that is increasingly rare these days,” Redzepi says. “There is always something to learn from him through watching and appreciating his craft.”

Your time in Florence includes a tour of the city to see such landmarks as the Duomo museum and the Uffizi Gallery, and a private opening of the Galleria dell’Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David. On the way back to the airport, you’ll stop to hunt truffles – a perfect final souvenir of your time in Florence.

LISBON | June 10–12, 2017

Lisbon skyline

In Lisbon, enjoy Portuguese delicacies as well as exciting street food, all while soaking up views of the beautiful city.

Photography courtesy J.M.F. Almeida / Getty Images

Seafood in Lisbon

Situated near Morocco and Spain, Lisbon has a rich culinary tradition marked by fresh seafood and delicate spices.

Photography courtesy Lissette Giron / 500px

Lisbon Sidecar

See some of Lisbon’s most spectacular sites – Alfama, Castelo de São Jorge, Bairro Alto – through the lens of a camera and in a vintage moto-sidecar.

Photography courtesy Cheryl Howard

See how a seafood-rich culinary tradition has evolved into something new and exciting with the influence of neighbouring cultures. Join acclaimed Chef Nuno Mendes for a petiscos dinner, much like Spanish tapas; he can also introduce you to Lisbon’s nightlife and the street food that sustains it.

From Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, depart in a motorcycle sidecar for the Hotel’s Extraordinary Experience – a tour with a professional photographer who gives guidance on how to capture the best images of Lisbon’s most impressive miradourous (sites). A customised Street Art Tour reveals large-scale murals created by local and international artist collectives.

The last night in Lisbon concludes with a gala dinner at Belcanto, José Avillez’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the historic Chiado district.

COPENHAGEN | June 12, 2017

Boats in Copenhagen

The Danish capital offers a mix of Old World charm and modern architecture, complete with an incomparable culinary experience with the renowned Noma team.

Photography courtesy Peter Zelei / Getty Images

Noma Chef Rene and Interior

Chef René Redzepi, one of the most influential and innovative chefs in the world, takes you behind the scenes of Noma during a private dining experience.

Photography courtesy Laura L.P./HdG Photography (left) and Mikkel Heriba (right)

Noma dish

At Noma, enjoy innovative dishes that feature ingredients foraged from the surrounding land.

Photography courtesy Laura L.P./HdG Photography

Redzepi welcomes the group to Copenhagen for a truly special Noma experience. Up until its final night of service on February 24, monthly reservation requests at Noma’s original location numbered around 100,000. Getting a seat at the Noma table has historically been a nearly impossible feat, and Noma’s new urban farm location is expected to be just as in-demand when it opens this summer.

Guests on this journey will forage with the Noma team for ingredients like samphire and beach coriander, and share aperitifs on the beach. And during an intimate conversation, Redzepi will take guests through the evolution of Noma from a modernist formal dining setting to its next incarnation.

PARIS | June 12–14, 2017

Paris Eiffel Tower

Thousands of years of history, art and fine dining converge in the cultural hub that is Paris. Take in the beautiful view of the city from Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris.

Le Cinq in Paris

At Le Cinq, dine on exquisite cuisine to celebrate the final night of your journey.

Paris Le Cave Wine Bottle

Designed in 1928 in a former quarry 14 metres below ground, La Cave wine cellar is filled with vintage treasures and modern classics.

The trip ends in Paris with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris. Redzepi is excited about Parisian food right now: “Paris is very much at the forefront of what’s called ‘bistronomy,’ a sort of mix of fine dining and a bistro. It’s a new type of restaurant with a new comfort feel to it, but the food being very focused and not driven necessarily by traditional foodstuffs like a normal bistro is.”

Noma offers a curated list of the team’s favourite Parisian eateries to explore. At the Hotel, guests on this journey will visit La Cave, the historic 50,000-bottle wine cellar. And on the final night in Paris, the Hotel’s own three-Michelin-starred Le Cinq, led by Chef Christian Le Squer, is the perfect spot to toast your adventure and enjoy a farewell dinner.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Select one of the destinations on the Culinary Discoveries itinerary to learn more

Woman with Four Seasons tree logo

13 of the Best Rooftop Bars in the World

Posted on by Nikki Ridgway

When the weather is warm, rooftop bars and restaurants become playgrounds for city dwellers. Nights are hot, sunsets are radiant and drinks always taste better when sipped in the sky. But to make our list of the best rooftop bars in the world, these 13 hot spots had to offer more than dreamy views.

Paris: Les Ombres


Les Ombres Restaurant Paris

Photography courtesy Restaurant Les Ombres

Recommended by the Concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, this rooftop restaurant occupies the top floor of the Jean Nouvel–designed Musée du quai Branly in the 7th district, and is an easy jaunt from the Hotel. Take a tour of the museum’s exhibitions, or skip the culture and proceed directly to the celebrated menu of French classics. A restaurant for travellers and locals alike, Les Ombres boasts unmatched views of the Eiffel Tower from the terrace. Plan your experience around sunset to watch the Tower’s lights begin to glitter as the sun sinks below the horizon.

Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris

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Singapore: 1-Altitude Gallery and Bar


1 Altitude Gallery and Bar Rooftop - Singapore

Photography courtesy 1-Altitude

1-Altitude Gallery and Bar is the grande dame of rooftop bars – the world’s highest al fresco bar sits atop the triangular One Raffles Place building almost 1,000 feet (304 metres) above Singapore’s business district. The 360-degree views look out onto the Singapore River, Marina Bay and twinkling cityscape, but with a sunken dance floor, small-plates bar menu and creative cocktail list, 1-Altitude is far more than just a viewing platform. DJs The Funkman and Leonard T man the decks most nights, so plan for drinks plus dancing.

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

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Dubai: Mercury Lounge


On the rooftop of Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, Mercury Lounge offers more than its head-turning views of the Arabian Gulf, city skyline and Burj Khalifa. In-house attractions include a Champagne bar, shisha lounge, resident DJ and traditional majlis seating areas for the city’s glitterati. Happy hour kicks things off early, and the small-plates menu – with caviar, oysters and truffle duck parfait, naturally – sustains the crowds until the wee hours. The dress code is smart casual, but in Dubai that means your highest heels or sharpest button-downs.

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

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New York City: The Skylark


New York City The Skylark

Photography courtesy The Skylark

Concierge David Harney at Four Seasons Hotel New York says The Skylark is an after-work favourite for a ritzy Midtown crew. Views are of movie-set New York, from the Empire State Building to the Chrysler Building and out to the Hudson River. Lauded New York mixologist Johnny Swet is behind signature cocktails like the spicy Jalapeto and the Skylark, an other-era concoction with gin, Saint- Germain and brandied cherry. This sky-high spot is only open to the public only during the week, so don’t wait until the weekend to visit.

Four Seasons Hotel New York

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Hong Kong: SEVVA


Hong Kong Sevva Rooftop Bar

Photography courtesy Sevva

In a city with a thriving rooftop bar scene, the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong recommends SEVVA, a crowd-pleaser with 360-degree city views atop the Prince’s Building in Central. Pronounced “savour,” the bar caters to imbibers both at night and during the day. Daytime patrons can enjoy afternoon tea and sweets, while night owls can expect a lively DJ and the occasional saxophonist.

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Miami: Juvia


Hanging out on top of a parking garage might not sound like the most glamorous of nights, but this Miami rooftop hot spot does things differently. Recommended by the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Juvia is the creation of acclaimed architects Herzog & de Meuron. In the kitchen, alums of Nobu, Boulud and Ducasse dish up Peruvian, French and Japanese favourites with a 305 twist. The Miami Beach views make the perfect backdrop to an evening of libations.

Four Seasons Hotel Miami

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Mumbai: AER


AER at Four Seasons Mumbai

The jewel in the sparkling crown of Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai, AER towers 34 storeys above the bustling Worli district and is one of few rooftop bars to be open year round. The sleek, modern décor takes its cues from the city’s superfuture skyline, on full display thanks to the knockout 360-degree views. Visit at sunset for one of the best views in Mumbai – and to secure your seat – or come during the late-night hours to gaze at the stars.

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Istanbul: A’YA Rooftop Lounge


A'YA Rooftop Lounge at Four Seasons Istanbul

At A’YA Rooftop Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, the city’s signature sights are on display. Admire the Hagia Sophia’s giant buttress, the Blue Mosque’s distinctive six minarets and the brilliant blue Bosphorus over a bottle of local wine. Ask the staff to treat you to a raki balik experience, a favourite way for locals to imbibe a bottle of their national drink (an aniseed liqueur) paired with seafood. A calm oasis in the middle of a hectic tourist area, this is not the spot to party until dawn. Go for a low-key evening spent appreciating Istanbul’s grandest treasures and the sounds of Old Town below.

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet

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Los Angeles: Perch


Los Angeles Perch Bar

Photography courtesy Perch

To be in with LA’s hip and handsome crowd, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Concierge Barbara Reyes recommends Perch. Located in Downtown LA, the 16th-floor rooftop bar has unmatched panoramic views of the buzzing neighbourhood plus classic Parisian cocktails, live jazz nights, ornate fireplaces and an oyster-shucking cart. On a hot day, try the Spicy Concombre, a combination of Greenalls Gin, St-Germain, lime juice, cucumber and jalapeño – refreshing with a touch of heat.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

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Beirut: The Roof


The Roof at Four Seasons Beirut

A 26th-floor gem atop Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, The Roof is the highest open-air lounge in the city and packs a punch with seasonal outdoor seating for 200, nightly live DJ sets and an Asian-inspired tapas menu. Not to mention that the bar offers pick-a-vista views of Beirut’s downtown, surrounding mountains, a nearby marina and the Mediterranean Sea. Expect to share a banquette with the city’s brightest, who know to book in advance for a seat at the window, dress way up and dance until the lights go on at 2:00 am.

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut

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Bangkok: ZENSE

With a heart-of-the-action location atop the CentralWorld shopping mall, ZENSE is a prime perch for admiring the neon lights of downtown Bangkok. The look is artfully futuristic, with high-design canopies over tables, vertical gardens and mood lighting across the mezzanine bar and outdoor dining areas. Better for sundowners than for a late-night party, the cocktail menu serves all the classics, plus fruity seasonal cocktails.

London: Forest Restaurant and Bar on the Roof


Forest Restaurant and Bar on the Roof, London

Photography courtesy Forest on the Roof

Forest Restaurant and Bar on the Roof is a seasonal pop-up on the top floor of Selfridge’s, one of London’s best-loved department stores. The rooftop restaurant is transformed each year, and the current urban forest features branches and fairy lights. Décor echoes the forager-focused menu, and there’s a secret garden with two “sheds” for cosy drinks or a group celebration. Book in advance to score a table during the popular afternoon tea service, and order a round of Rhubinis – a quintessentially English concoction with homemade rhubarb and sparkling local wine.

Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

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Doha: Nobu Doha


In a tri-level, 26,000-square-foot (2,415-square-metre) space resembling an oyster shell, Nobu at Four Seasons Hotel Doha is the world’s largest Nobu restaurant. Perched in the middle of the bay, the rooftop terrace has just 38 highly coveted seats. Claim your spot when the bar’s doors open at 6:00 pm, and settle in with an order of the 28 Punch – a decadent mocktail with fresh ginger and acai black. Sip on your drink and admire views of the Arabian Gulf and the yachts docked at the Four Seasons Marina next door. For a sweet treat to round out the night, try the raved-about caramelised vanilla cake.

Four Seasons Hotel Doha

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