13 Jul Brazil, watch your back…Colombia will be the next hot destination!!!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Brazil, watch your back…Colombia will be the next hot destination!!!
Cartagena is brought to you by the letter C: it’s all about cool, chic, colonial and the Sofitel Santa Clara is the leader of the pack!
The Sofitel, you say? You better believe it, baby! I did a double take when I saw this former monastery transformed into a fabulous, luxury hotel. The service is superb; everyone gets a butler, yet they couldn’t be more down to earth. The accommodations have all the technology known to man, yet you still open your door with those big brass, old fashioned keys. The spa has some remedies passed down through generations, but when I found out they use Sisley for their treatments, I was in facial heaven!!! There’s a lot of Yin Yang going on between old world and modern which adds to the unique charm of the Santa Clara…
Here I am with Richard Launay, GM of Sofitel Santa Clara
Look for the Botero suite in December 2012…Fernando Botero (yes, THAT Fernando Botero) designed the suite in collaboration with his daughter, Lina, who happens to be an Interior Designer. Since this famous artist was born and bred in Cartagena, what better way to keep his legacy going!!!
The best kept South American secret has to be the recently opened Tcherassi Hotel + Spa.
Lia Osorio, General Manager of Tcherassi Hotel + Spa with Carmen Otero De Millan, International Sales Director of Sofitel Santa Clara
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| Lia Osorio, General Manager of Tcherassi Hotel + Spa with Carmen Otero De Millan, International Sales Director of Sofitel Santa Clara |
Why ? …because Silvia Tcherassi, the sophisticated Colombian fashion designer and socialite, has the Midas touch! The 7 rooms are all elegantly designed by Silvia herself, the customized orange & ginger bath products are divine and Vera, the Italian inspired poolside restaurant, is one of the hottest tickets in town!!! If you don’t get a chance to stay in this uber cool hotel, you can always shop in one of the Silvia Tcherassi elegant boutiques and, I promise you, there’s no way you will leave empty handed!!!
If I win the lottery I would commute every weekend to Cartagena just so I could dine at Don Juan! The young chef, Juan Felipe Camacho, was trained at San Sebastian’sMichelin-starred Arzak and the restaurant is sleek, sexy and oh-so sophisticated. If you want a glimpse of the glamorous nightlife in South America, this is the place to see and be seen. Luckily for us, the restaurant was gracious enough to share this scrumptuous recipe.
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| Me at Don Juan Restaurant—have to hurry in before Anderson Cooper gets my table! |
Restaurante Don Juan, Cartagena
BROILED GROUPER OVER LEMON AND PARMESAN RISOTTO
SERVES 4
Ingredients:
4 grouper filets (8 oz each)
9 oz arroz arboreo
1 large onion, finely diced
7 oz white wine
34 oz chicken stock
7 oz parmesano reggiano cheese
2 oz mascarpone cheese
salt and pepper
1 lemon
extra virgin olive oil
Preparation:
- Season the fish with olive oil, salt and pepper and let it rest to room temperature
- Prepare the risotto by putting the olive oil in a pan, cook the onion gently with some salt and pepper
- When the onion is clear, add the rice and cook for 3 minutes until the rice gets coated with the oil, stirring occasionally
- Add the wine and reduce for 2 min, then start adding the stock with a ladle and do not stop stirring.
- When the rice is almost done (15 min), put the fish on the broiler and seal it leaving sear marks. Move it to medium heat side and let it cook completely (8 min or when all the water is absorbed).
- Put the mascarpone in with the other ingredients and stir adding some stock if necessary. Put the parmesan cheese, the juice of a lemon and also the lemon zest. Stir and cover with a lid for 1 min.
- Serve the risotto on a beautiful dish and put the fish on top with and some cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle with a bit of extra virgin oil and garnish with some micro greens.
Bon Appétit!
Bogota is an intriguing mix of culture(there goes the ‘C’word)!, gastronomy, art and beauty . Look for my review coming soon…
Posted by Jody Bear at 12:51 PM
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