Setting the mood for an evening of pure indulgence, the exclusive gastronomic adventure combines the enchantment of dining six metres below the sea, surrounded by the vibrant sights of the most famed house reef in the Maldives, with the intimacy of spending the evening in an award-winning underwater restaurant where each evening’s repast is limited to six couples, or twelve adults, per sitting to create an ambiance of heavenly romance.

Seven really is the magic number for this seventh heaven dining experience. The evening’s adventure begins with an aperitif glass of champagne at 7:00 pm before the journey into wining and dining indulgence gets underway in earnest. Featuring a set 7-course menu of gastronomic delights, with a vegetarian option also available, the dinner has been carefully curated by the resort’s Executive Chef to include an exciting new take on contemporary global cuisine with each course telling its own chapter of the evening’s enchanting story.

To further enhance the romance, guests can choose to have their dinner paired with a selection of wines, expertly hand-picked by the resort’s resident Wine Guru. Provided from the world’s first underwater wine cellar, the impressive wine list features 450 labels from both renowned and off-the-beaten-track wine regions to ensure every palate is appropriately pampered.

Available from USD 395++ per person for food only plus an additional fee of USD 195++ with wine pairing included, the one-of-a-kind journey to seventh heaven is guaranteed to serve up a priceless experience.

The post Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas Creates Amazing Dining Opportunity appeared first on The Hotel Guide.

San Diego recently extended its Trolley system so that its Blue Line now runs all the way from the U.S.-Mexico border to La Jolla in the north. This $2.2 billion expansion also opens up opportunities for all sorts of new adventures, including sight-seeing, shopping and, of course, taco tasting—a favorite local pastime.

San Diego’s proximity to Mexico, plus abundance of fresh ingredients, have made the region a must-visit destination for foodies and taco lovers everywhere. With an adult day pass costing as little as $6, the Trolley also provides a low-cost way to see the sights and taste the bites that make San Diego such a unique destination where every day can be a Taco Trolley day.

1. A perfect place to start is at the new UTC Trolley station, which not only offers easy access to some of the region’s best shopping at the Westfield UTC but is also home to Tocaya Modern Mexican, a light, bright casual eatery known for its healthy fare that offers up plenty of vegan options. The piña pastor is a standout with its inventive mix of adobo tofu, vegan chipotle jack cheese, grilled pineapple salsa, red peppers, onions and arbol salsa.
2. Eight stops down is the Clairmont Drive Trolley station where a short walk leads to Mike’s Red Tacos food truck. This new addition to Bay Park neighborhood, serves up its acclaimed birria tacos featuring locally sourced, fresh tortillas dipped in chili oil and crisped up for their signature red color. Mike’s Red Tacos is only open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until it sells out.
3. A few stops further south is the Old Town Trolley station, so named for the nearby Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which features preserved buildings and museums that commemorate the period from 1820 to 1870 and also has more than 30 neighboring restaurants that offer a wide range of cuisines, including traditional and contemporary Mexican dishes. The new Old Town Urban Market, an outdoor dining and entertainment complex six blocks from the station, is home to the Michelin-recognized Tuetano Taqueria, which specializes in slow-cooked, Tijuana-style beef birria tacos. For the adventurous epicurean, the much-heralded bone marrow taco is a must-try.
4. The very next trolley station is the Washington Street stop, where just up the hill sits Lucha Libre Taco Shop. The restaurant’s décor is inspired by the bright colors and distinctive masks of Mexican wrestling and the menu features dishes like the “undefeated seafood taco” and the “birria quesa taco” with beef birria, melted cheese, onions, cilantro and salsa muerta. Guests should call ahead to reserve the “Champ’s Booth,” a table nestled into an outlandish gold vinyl booth complete with its own special menu.
5. A couple stops south on the Blue Line is the County Center/Little Italy station where visitors can easily walk to King and Queen Cantina, a hip, art-filled eatery in the heart of San Diego’s lively Little Italy district. The eclectic menu features all kinds of specialty tacos, including a Hot Cheetos asada taco, which comes with melted cheese, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, chipotle aioli, lime crema, green cabbage, and topped with serrano sauce, red radish and cilantro.
6. One stop down is historic Santa Fe Depot where riders can catch a transfer to the Green Line for a quick trip to the Seaport Village station. A short walk from there is the picturesque Old Police Headquarters, which houses Puesto at the Headquarters. The restaurant chain, which started in San Diego, provides an innovative and contemporary approach to authentic Mexican cuisine, sourcing its ingredients locally and regionally for its Mexico City-inspired tacos. The filet mignon taco is a standout, prepared with a handmade blue-corn tortilla, Puesto’s signature crispy melted cheese, avocado and spicy pistachio serrano salsa.
7. Two stops away on the Green Line, Trolley riders will find themselves in the heart of the action at the Gaslamp Quarter station, a historic downtown neighborhood known for its eclectic and electric night life. A few blocks over and steps away from Petco Park is The Blind Burro, which specializes in Baja coastal cuisine with hand-crafted food in a relaxed atmosphere. Taco offerings include coffee-rubbed salmon, cilantro-lime grilled shrimp, and vegetarian crispy spiced cauliflower.
8. One stop away from the Gaslamp is the 12th & Imperial station that reconnects with the Blue Line. A short ride on the Blue Line will transport taco lovers to the Barrio Logan neighborhood. Past the Chicano Park, which features more than 80 murals detailing the struggles and beauty of the Mexican-American community, is ¡SALUD TACOS! on Logan Ave. Featured on the Travel Channel, the former taco truck is known for its authentic tacos and tattoo-inspired wall art and pinstriped car hoods. The restaurant’s menu pays homage to the street food of Northern Mexico with its own Chicano flare. The carne asada taco or “the classic street taco” is a rite of passage here, with marinated steak on a handmade corn tortilla, topped with guacamole, onions and cilantro.

Of course, this is just the tip of the taco tastings available in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s website at www.sandiego.org.

The post All Aboard the San Diego Trolley Taco Tour appeared first on The Hotel Guide.

The MGM Grand location marks the second venture for the concept.

Located in The District opposite the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the 11,000-square-foot-restaurant will pay homage to Kevin, Sr.’s grandmother, Nellie, who lived in Belmont, North Carolina until she passed in 2011. With an atmosphere inspired by the Jonas’ love for music, the vibrant space will be a lively spot for all ages to enjoy fresh, flavorful dishes and live entertainment.

“To open a restaurant in the heart of the iconic Las Vegas Strip is thrilling, and I know my Grandma Nellie would be truly amazed seeing her name in lights,” said Kevin, Sr.  “Our family loves Las Vegas. We have spent significant time in the city and are proud to invite everyone to pull up a seat and enjoy our family’s hospitality and treasured family recipes.”

Denise Jonas said, “One of our greatest joys in life is sharing a meal with those we love. There is always room for guests in our home and around our table. Grandma Nellie was the perfect example of showing this kind of comfort to people!”

The carefully crafted restaurant design is modern and elegant with a folkloric texture, which contributes to an atmosphere of ‘polished casual’ dining.

MGM Grand President & COO Michael Neubecker said, “MGM Grand and the Jonas family are two entities highly focused on creating the best entertainment experiences for fans and consumers from around the world. We are taking it a step further with this partnership by delivering a unique venue that serves delicious Southern food in a spirited atmosphere, along with the first-in-class hospitality for which Las Vegas and Nellie’s are known. We welcome the Jonas team to our portfolio and look forward to sharing this exceptional restaurant with our guests next year.”

No stranger to the Las Vegas entertainment scene, the Jonas family has held ties to the city and MGM Resorts International over the years, including Jonas Brothers concerts at MGM Grand Garden Arena as well as sister properties, Park MGM and Mandalay Bay.

MENU HIGHLIGHTS

Guests will enjoy Nellie’s signature dishes including its warm biscuits, Chicken & Dumplins, Hawg Hill Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chicken and Gravy, Southern Meat Loaf, and Chicken and Waffles with cinnamon-honey butter. The restaurant also will feature an extensive cocktail menu and introduce new offerings exclusive to the Las Vegas location.

BRINGING NELLIE’S TO LIFE

When guests arrive at Nellie’s, they will feel they’ve come home to a front porch setting, where everyone is welcome at the table. A magical summer evening is conjured in tones and materials reminiscent of North Carolina’s grassy meadows, weathered barns and white shiplap cottages, the Smoky Mountains imagined in the distance. Unique furnishings and decor, created and crafted by OLY Studio exclusively for Nellie’s, will impart richness and depth with whimsical nods to Nellie and the Jonas family’s passion for music and hospitality.

Kevin Jonas II said, “Our dad’s passion for family, food and music shines through at Nellie’s. It’s a beautiful tribute to our great-grandmother’s legacy, and we know Las Vegas will love it as much as we do.”

Joe Jonas said, “We have incredible memories performing at MGM Grand Garden Arena, so to have Nellie’s next to it is surreal. Las Vegas has always had a special place in our hearts, and now our connection to the city and its community will be stronger than ever.”

Nick Jonas said, “My great-grandmother was happiest when surrounded by people having a great time. That’s what Nellie’s is all about – amazing food, vibes and music. We love Las Vegas and can’t wait for my Dad to be able to introduce Nellie’s and this piece of our family history to the West Coast.”

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Twenty five years and the fiesta is just getting started at Aldaco’s Stone Oak. Take it from me, it’s a (very) select group of women that can boast a quarter-century of owning, operating…doing everything in their restaurant.

It’s also why Goodtaste.tv and the Wine Sisterhood have chosen to recognize Blanca Aldaco for her outstanding accomplishments during Women’s History Month!

Known to San Antonians for her incredible, interior Mexican food and award-winning margaritas, Blanca and her team are relishing their milestone, while already looking toward the future. To this day, Blanca still drives by her original location – a century old house in St. Paul Square – that reminds her of just how far she’s come.

If you’ve ever met Blanca, a native of Guadalajara, you know she’s exquisite in and out of the kitchen. There’s a certain spice to her personality I’ve always admired, which is why, at our most recent reunion, I brought her a bottle of Middle Sister Rebel Red.

She was quick to remind me that she’s the oldest of her siblings, but was nonetheless flattered.

Now Blanca is on the verge of opening up her third restaurant, Aldaco’s at Dominion, and continuing to fine-tune her beloved recipes to meet the desires of changing palates. In other words, finding ways to satisfy both the National Mexican and ‘acquired’ Tex-Mex tastes of many native San Antonians. Everything is still made 100% from scratch, fresh, in-house…one tradition she’s very proud of.

And you heard it here first: I still say she has the BEST Tres Leches cake in all the land. After all, Blanca is responsible for bringing and introducing the timeless treat to the Alamo City.

Some things will never change — and shouldn’t! Cheers to Blanca and her beautiful history!

For more delicious recipes and fun food and wine pairing ideas, subscribe to Tanji’s newsletter.

Courtesy of Tanji Patton with “Goodtaste with Tanji”

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