Yes she’s there, Girlahead peeps through the greenery in the lush kitchen garden at THE BRANDO, in French Polynesia. There’s produce aplenty, home-grown. And now there will be even more exciting cuisine, thanks to the new partnership between the resort and Jean Imbert, Michelin star of HOTEL PLAZA ATHENEE, Paris. He’s taking over the resort’s food, and, as in Paris, Rémi Tessier, will design the main restaurant.
It’s all so exciting. Although Marlon Brando was a meat and potatoes kinda guy, says his good friend, and resort chairman Dick Bailey, he appreciated fine food, as well. Jean Imbert is a Marlon movie fanatic so there will be dishes inspired by The Bounty, say melted chocolate poured over fresh coconut.
No, today’s top travellers want food with stories as well as high gourmet,; though there’s a place for that too. Last December, Addison Restaurant at FAIRMONT GRAND DEL MAR in San Diego received its third Michelin star (one of only 14 restaurants in the USA to achieve that). Chef patron is William Bradley and he produces, exclusively, nine-course tasting menus at $355++, wines extra.
For a special occasion, friends, what is better? For every day, any time, ArtSpace Café, at CLARIDGE’S, fits the bill in London. The ground-floor space has a dedicated street entrance and designer John Pawson has included a patisserie counter and a large marble-topped communal table. Think croissants and coffee at breakfas;t tortillas, croque monsieurs and madams at lunch, mega madeleines and cakes at tea time or whenever. At any time, head straight down from the Café to Claridge’s ArtSpace, a vast gallery with rotating exhibitions. Food may be the essence of life but it is part and parcel of other lifestyle elements, including art.
