JETSETREPORT

Two week left till summer.....

December 08, 2014 08.59 PM

There’s two weeks left until summer, at least if you’re somewhere in the southern hemisphere. As much of Europe and the US settles into holiday chill and the onset of ski season, another half of the world prepares for a season of new hotel openings, restaurant debuts and packed beach clubs.

Cape Town already feels quite summery especially poolside at POD above Camps Bay that is just up the road from bustling beach bars like Caprice and Bungalow for its sexy summer Sundays. New restaurant hotspots include La Parada helmed by former El Bulli alum while The Test Kitchen by Luke Dale Roberts continues to dominate South African cuisine.  In Sydney, Park Hyatt gets a contender with The Langham Sydney that’s fresh off a remodel of the old Observatory Hotel that expunges the grandmotherly Orient Express decor for a white and airy palette that’s home to new Kent Street Kitchen. Also new is the InterContinental Double Bay that occupies the former-Ritz Carlton that’s now outfitted in rooftop bar, gin lounge and farm-to-table eatery. While spring thunderstorms have meant an inside table at Bondi’s The Bucket List and newly poshed Manly Wine, the city’s restaurant scene is flourishing with season newcomers like Yellow, Neil Perry’s Burger Project and gastro-tavern Esther.

In South America you’ll find the summer season arriving with gusto in Punta del Este that alas welcomes the fully-opened Bahia Vik in Jose Ignacio. The third Vik-property in Jose Igancio features beach club eatery, bungalow style rooms and waterfront pool scene. Buenos Aries is a bargain paradise with currency rates still reflecting the country’s recent default, for travelers this means great deals at restaurants like acclaimed Tengui in Palermo Soho, epicurean Chila in Puerto Madero and veggie-minded Astor Bistro. Rio adds Peruvian Tupac in Ipanema and new sushi Mee inside the Copacabana Palace while Sao Paulo continues to be dominated by D.O.M. and Mani that’s led by Helena Rizzo �" one of Brazil’s few female top chefs. 

Written by:

Michael Martin
Editorial Review Author
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