Tropical Paradise

Escape to a tropical paradise with our top picks for the best exotic getaways. ...

Tropical Adventures Travel...

Take an exciting scuba diving trip with Tropical Adventures Travel. We offer stress free scuba diving vacations with exceptional service to make your trip as much ...

Great Beach Vacatiob Ideas

Find great beach vacation ideas and travel inspiration from Hotel101, your source for the web's best reviews and travel articles.

The Best Beach in The World

Here at On the Beach we have a wealth of quality destination information and travel guides to find your ideal value holiday.

The Best and cheapiest Hotel in The World

Discount online hotel reservations, with guides, interactive maps, travel forums and travel tips.

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, The Suajana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam


wine paired dinner
Senja, The Suajana Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Senja Italian Restaurant, Wine and Cuisine Trail

The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur


Words by Kirsten Durward
Photos by The Yum List (Monica Tindall)

As I walk into Senja I immediately relax. The ambient lighting and soft grey tones, the spaciousness and the romantic positioning on the lake amidst tropical foliage, conspire to allow the whole body and mind to heave a great sigh of relief. ‘Aaah!’ Let it all go. We can leave the cares of the week and the bustle of the city behind us, and step into a different world for a while. And what a magical world it is tonight. The tall, structured windows allow in the darkening light, the design evoking a sensation of an old 1930’s mansion. I comment that I feel as though I have entered the Great Gatsby and everyone nods and hums agreement. 

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Dining Table

While Senja’s regular cuisine, overseen by Chef Emiliano di Stefano is classically Italian in flavour, we are here tonight to enjoy a very special event: an innovative wine paired dinner, created and instrumented by Chef Dany Angove from the famed Leeuwin Estate.  Leeuwin Estate is somewhat special. Like many Australian wineries it is family owned. But their passions do not stop at impeccable wine and innovative food. The art collection at Leeuwin rivals many regional galleries, focusing strictly on Australian artists. The clever wine makers combine their interests, drawing further attention to both wine and art with the use of iconic art pieces on the label of their distinctive ‘Art Series’ wines.  

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
The Bar

This evening’s Wine and Cuisine Trail is the second in what is planned to be an annual event, Chef Dany assures us that the sky is the limit in terms of future collaboration with Senja. We are happy to hear this as our minds have been salivating since viewing the menu, and we are eager to get on with tasting the centerpieces of the evening. Those who missed out on this great taste experience, keep an eye on the Saujana website for future events such as the upcoming Culinary Odyssey with award winning Chef Yuichi Kamimura from 21st - 23rd October 2015. Promising creative fusion in a 'Easts meets West' combination of Japanese flavours with a French twist, we hear that Chef Yuichi is back by popular demand.  

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Lake View from the Outdoor Patio

The sparkling and surprisingly light glasses offer the perfect clarity and resonance with which to enjoy a special wine. Somehow we feel there is nothing between us and the first wine we taste; the lovely, light Leeuwin Estate Siblings Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013 with its soft citrusy undertones. The whole setting permeates with an understated elegance that is only enhanced with the placing of the first dish. 

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Leeuwin Estate Siblings Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013

The large swirled plate gives a shell like protection to the delicate Abalone. Sourced from Flinders Bay, this green lip variety resonates with an exquisite fresh taste of the sea, bringing out a mineral depth to the wine that brings more enjoyment into our mouths. Chef twinkles when we comment on the aptness of the pairing, and promises us we will be hearing more about this particular sea creature in the future, as it is relatively new on the international food scene.

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Abalone

The lightness of touch with seafood is echoed in the Scallop entrée, which for me becomes an archetypal representation of the word ‘freshness.’ Fresh in the delicate hanged gazpacho, fresh in the slender strips of scallops, fresh in the clear cold soup that is poured over like spring water refreshing a landscape, and fresh in attitude, daring you to take a bite and disturb the artistry. The Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2013 opens beautifully after tasting this dish, revealing a depth of body and lingering palate enriching flavours. We ask about the lack of spoon for the clear soup and Chef gurgles – ‘yes, we thought about that, but me I’d just pick up the dish!’ So Australian!

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Scallops
Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc 2013 

A fellow guests comments, ‘I forget how beautiful it is down here.’ And it is. A spacious experience, I think. Space outside. Space inside. Body space. Mind space. We find this feeling to be luxurious and expansive, as we are not used to in our regular city lives. With the soft sounds of a singer acoustically accompanied, the live music adds to the ambience without being intrusive. Everything is carefully calculated to feel ‘just so’ and conversation flows across the table very naturally.

Both main choices sound so tempting it is hard to make a choice, but both Monica and I cannot get past the thought of fresh Sea Trout, so beg just a taste of Caning’s Lamb Rump. The plating with freekeh (a type of green wheat) is something new and we debate the merits of ‘healthy’ sides, which go beyond traditional carbohydrates. Chef agrees that he is always on the look and listen out for both locally sourced and healthier options, as they can develop the flavours and innovate in a sustainable way. I’m in ecstasies over the Middle Eastern flavours in the beautifully cooked medium rare beef, a light spicing, reminiscent of Morocco and complemented delightfully by smooth tahini yoghurt and the freshness of pomegranate.

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Lamp Rump

I do love Sea Trout, both for its robust flavours and its signal memories of childhood. My grandfather lived on the ocean and he loved to fish. We ate a lot of sea and river trout in those days and it remains a family favourite. This one is super deep pink and dense, a wild fish that has been clearly swimming free. The crispy skin is divine, provoking moans of flavour as the little fatty burst underneath drips through onto the tongue. Delicious. I love the teeny detail of crushed almond on top, enhancing the almond puree with lemon oil notes underneath. A robust in flavour but delicately structured carrot purée completes this juicy and mouth filling dish.

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Sea Trout

Our mains are paired with another of Leeuwin Estate’s signature Art Series wines, this one being a Shiraz 2011 that has us all nodding with pleasure at its round full texture. Australian Shiraz can be known for being rather bold and peppery but this one is more subtle. The pepper notes are there but it is a distinctly softer sensation with light tannins and I taste some dark chocolate and cinnamon traces.

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Shiraz 2011

An impeccable finish for an impeccable meal is found in our dessert. With crisped coconut on top of naturally compressed pineapple, this is a tropical dessert that echoes the interests of the region without being overly sweet and thick. A little sago for that Malaysian hint takes on the relish of the beautifully delicate kaffir lime cream.

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Dessert

An unusually dry dessert wine completes this evenings wine trail. The Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2013 has citrus notes and tinges of green apple that sits well with the fruity nature of the final dish.  

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner, Senja Italian Restaurant, Suajana Resort
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Riesling 2013

Everything has been perfect from start to finish and we glide off into the night pleasantly satiated and ready for bed. What a pleasure to have a weekend away so close to the city like this.

Reasons to visit: peaceful, spacious, elegant ambience; fine dining at exceptionally reasonable prices; look out for the upcoming Culinary Odyssey with award winning Chef Yuichi Kamimura from 21st - 23rd October 2015.

Senja
The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Lapangan Terbang SAAS
40150 Shah Alam
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
+ 603 7843 1234 ext 6122 



source: The Yum List http://ift.tt/1JDwWS7

Feeling like a Roman at the Rimske Therme in Toplice

The Rimske Therme gets its inspiration from a 2.000 year old bathing culture from the Romans. This complex however is not that old but dates from the late 18th century. In the Roman bathing area they offer treatments and the possibility to take a bath in a 200 year old tub.

How would it feel to lay in the same bath as Princes Murat, Carolina Bonaparte, the sister of Napoleon I. We didn't try it but truly enjoyed the gigantic indoor and connected outdoor swimming on the hill of a mountain. The design of the indoor pool was cubical and provided a mysterious ambiance. The red blocks in the water are water massage elements. In the garden you find a few hot water tubs.

The Wellness and Spa center consists of three four star hotels. We stayed in the Sofijin Dvor, the castle and more classic part of the complex. The ceilings of our room were more than four meters high. There is also a new complex called Rimske Dvor and the historical bath building called Zdraviliski Dvor. The next time we would probably choose the Rimske Dvor because the room we stayed in was very warm. This is certainly not a complaint because it was extremely hot outside, around 37 degrees.

For people who enjoy swimming and hiking in a green environment, this is a good place to relax. Staff is very friendly and service minded.

De Rimske Therme haalt zijn inspiratie uit 2.000 jaar geschiedenis van Romeinse badcultuur. Dit kuuroord is echter jonger, het werd opgetrokken aan het einde van de 18de eeuw. In de historische baden biedt men behandelingen aan en de mogelijkheid te baden in 200 jaar oude badkuipen.

Hoe zou het voelen om in het zelfde bad te liggen als Prinses Murat of Carolina Bonaparte, de zuster van Napoleon I. We hebben het niet geprobeerd maar genoten enorm van het grote binnen- en buitenzwembad gelegen op de heuvelrug. Het ontwerp van de zwembaden was in kubussen wat binnen een modern mysterieus gevoel opwekte. De rode blokken in het water zijn massage elementen. In de tuin staan verschillende jacuzzi's.

Het kuuroord bestaat uit drie verschillende vier sterren hotels. Wij verbleven in het Sofijin Dvor, een klassiek kasteeltje. De plafonds van onze kamer waren meer als vier meter hoog. Het midden van het kuuroord Rimske Dvor, werd nieuw gebouwd en de historische baden staan in het Zdraviliski Dvor. De volgende keer kiezen we waarschijnlijk voor het moderne gedeelte daar het in onze kamer wel heel warm was. Dit is zeker geen klacht omdat het buiten ongeveer 37 graden was. 

Voor mensen die van zwemmen en wandelen houden in een groene omgeving is dit hotel ideaal. Het personeel is vriendelijk en service-minded. 
 
Rimske Therme Toplice

Rimske Therme Toplice mountains

Rimske Therme Toplice cubes

Rimske Therme Toplice Indoor swimming

Rimske Therme Toplice pool

Rimske Therme Toplice modern

Rimske Therme Toplice red massage block

Rimske Therme Toplice view

Rimske Therme Toplice

Rimske Therme Toplice Karoline Bonaparte

Rimske Therme Toplice historical baths

Rimske Therme Toplice historic bath

Rimske Therme Toplice room

Rimske Therme Toplice room

Rimske Therme Toplice bathroom

Previous Lasko article: Restaurant Pavus in the Grad Tabor castle

Previous Wellness article: Cosy Hotel Mitterwirt with a fantastic wellness centre, Dienten

Return to main page

source Travels - Ballroom Dancing - Amusement Parks http://ift.tt/1FEvrbt

12 Creepy Crypts and Catacombs Worldwide + Explore the 13 Most Haunted Cities in America

You have to see it to believe it: 11 Haunted Tales From the Grave. Plus, explore over 40 of the most terrifying haunts from around the world.
This message contains images. If you don't see images, view this message online. You can also find us here: Facebook Twitter

    Fall Foliage  ·   Taste of Fall
12 Creepy Crypts and Catacombs Worldwide

Button
Week of September 30, 2015
12 Creepy Crypts and Catacombs
A chandelier made of bones, skulls on altars, hanging skeletons -- enter the creepy world of crypts and catacombs for a look into burial practices of the past. Warning: Images not for the squeamish.
 11 Haunted Tales From the Grave
 16 Insanely Scary Horror Movie Locations
 13 Ghastly Gargoyles Around the Globe



Win over the kids with these easy, time-saving dinners the family will love.
Haunted America
Haunted America
Explore the 13 Most Haunted Cities in America
5 Super-Spooky US Ghost Towns
What's Haunting the Historic City of Charleston?
International Haunts
International Haunts
Top 20 Haunted Attractions in London
Tales From the Crypt: Explore Haunted Paris
Tour Ireland's 14 Most Haunted Places
Legend Has It
Legend Has It
Stories From the Grave: Explore Alcatraz Prison
Ghosts, UFOs and Strange Creatures? Only in Alaska
Explore the Mysterious Happenings of the Ozarks


 

Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Visitor Agreement



This email was sent to redabis10.hotels@blogger.com.

Copyright ©2015 Scripps Networks, LLC | 9721 Sherrill Blvd. | Knoxville, TN 37932 | All Rights Reserved


FOLLOW TRAVEL CHANNEL


Travel Channel on Facebook   Travel Channel on Twitter   Travel Channel on Instagram