THE FASHIONISTA'S FAVORITE
Plaza Athénée, Paris
Plaza Athénée is thrilled to open its glamorous new al fresco dining venue, La Terrasse Montaigne. Designed by Patrick Jouin and with cuisine by Alain Ducasse, this chic terrace IS the place to be seen this season. Located on the most fashionable avenue in Paris alongside Dior, Chanel, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, it is perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely Parisian afternoon with top notch people watching. Light snacks, hearty meals, and a variety of fresh cocktails, all are prepared with inimitable Plaza Athénée flair. Another al fresco option at Plaza Athénée features vine-covered walls and red geraniums in full bloom the perfect backdrop for the lovely inner courtyard, La Cour Jardin, where Plaza-red fans and smart red sunshades are provided to each lady patron.
La Terrasse Montaigne and La Cour Jardin will both feature Pastry Chef Christophe Michalak's new 2006 Spring/Summer Collection. His sweet selection of seasonal pastries includes: Raspberry and Marzipan Gateau, Strawberry Religieuse, Red Berry and Verbena Éclair, and Peach Melba Macaroon. As captain of the French team, Michalak won the 2005 World Pastry Cup, a bi-annual, nineteen-country event that is the reference point for expertise in the industry.
A HISTORICAL PARISIAN HIDEAWAY
Park Hyatt, Paris, Vendôme
Stroll through Place Vendôme onto rue de la Paix and stop by Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme to experience another perfectly Parisian "terrasse." In the tradition of refined discretion, which is its hallmark, Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme offers guests a real haven of harmony: an open-air terrace nestled in a historic building called La Terrasse. Teak-wood tables, pale lavender-cushioned armchairs, large ivory parasols, and ancient olive trees provide shade and a welcome touch of nature. In fact, Carole Bouquet has now become an exceptional ambassador for this special spot. She currently produces an olive oil at her home in Sicily that is exclusive to Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. During the summer festive season, guests will find a bottle of this oil at La Terrasse, available to taste it if they so desire. Oooo la la.
PLAY TARZAN TO YOUR JANE
Amberley Castle (West Sussex, England)
Originally built in 1103 by Norman Bishop Luffa of Chichester, Amberley Castle has been resurrected from a romantic ruin into a family run country castle hotel, and now offers an exclusive and intimate al fresco dining experience?in a tree house. Literally. Misletoe Lodge is a magical thatched tree house sitting in an oak tree, reached by a rope ladder and bridge; it offers unrivalled views of the 900 year-old Sussex castle and its lakes. The difference between this tree house and the one in your back yard as a child is that instead of peanut butter and jelly, goldfish, and juice boxes, you will be feasting on Foie Gras Parfait, Chilled Gazpacho, Crisp Confit Duck Leg, and Pan Fried Sea Bass among other delicacies.
AN URBAN ZEN RETREAT
The Metropolitan, Bangkok
Here diners will encounter a remarkably serene al fresco setting in the center of bustling Bangkok. Cyan is the ultra hip, 100-seat headline restaurant on the ground floor of The Metropolitan. Tucked in the back of the hotel and situated alongside the pool, Cyan offers a calming and Zen-like experience. Under the direction of Amanda Gale, who trained with Neil Perry, the dean of fine Australian cooking, the food is prepared with the best seasonal produce available and has its roots in the Mediterranean complemented with flavorful Asian accents. A small tapas bar is piled high with fresh seafood. Cyan is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ummmmm.
FOR THE BEST BIRDS-EYE VIEW
Park Hyatt, Chicago
The Windy City is not exactly synonymous with eating outdoors, but Park Hyatt Chicago's signature restaurant, NoMI, offers an enchanting and refreshing outdoor terrace called NoMI Garden, high above the architectural treasures of Chicago. Designed by Tony Chi, who has created over 400 restaurants around the world, the 50-seat terrace and the larger interior dining area are stylishly handsome with English slate, Bolivian rosewood, and Italian mosaic tiles, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan and beyond.
PREPPIES, POLITICIANS, SAILBOATS, AND SEAFOOD
White Elephant, Nantucket
In New England, where al fresco is most definitely a seasonal pleasure, there is the Harborview Terrace deck of the Brant Point Grill, located in Nantucket's landmark White Elephant hotel. With its magnificent setting on the harbor, the restaurant features a unique "Fire Cone" grill, a 21st century interpretation of a Native American cooking technique in which food is cooked with radiant heat, absorbing a smoky mesquite flavor. Recognized as Nantucket's premier steak, lobster, and seafood restaurant, Brant Point Grill consistently wins Wine Spectator awards for excellence. A daily raw bar is also a summer favorite, so break out the seersucker and boat shoes!
GLITZ AND GLAM, CELEB SPOTTING LIKE NO OTHER
Beverly Hills Hotel
In sunny California, in a city where al fresco (and beauty) is eternal, the renowned outdoor patio of the Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel offers the perfect atmosphere for outdoor dining. The guest list at the Polo Lounge may be as tasty as the menu. Among the regular visitors are Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston (but not together), Nicole Kidman, Sofia Coppola, Spike Jonze, Tom Hanks, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening and, almost daily, the Osbournes. Admit it, you are a little star struck.
DINE LIKE A ROCKEFELLER
Woodstock Inn & Resort
In picturesque central Vermont, lunch al fresco can be found at The Woodstock Inn's Country Club Cafe, the only outdoor dining in the area. Overlooking the fairways and greens of the golf course, this casual setting on the club's deck is marked by friendly service and an inviting summer menu of refreshing salads, soups, and sandwiches, a build your own lunch option, and even a quick Golfers' Express meal. Laurance S. Rockefeller, founder of the Woodstock Inn & Resort, donated his estate and the surrounding woodlands on Mt. Tom in Woodstock and established the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Vermont's first national historical park.
A GARDEN OAISIS WITHIN A METROPOLIS
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong
On the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong's new 11th story concept floor called Plateau, two restaurants, The Courtyard and The Grill, serve outdoors. Plateau is a garden oasis high above much of Hong Kong with over 1,000 trees, a turtle pond, waterfall, swimming pool, and jogging track. The Courtyard, serving light refreshments all day, is set in a tree-lined grove of Syzygium jambo trees, while The Grill serves seafood, salads, and meat entrees poolside.
AMONGST THE EXOTIC: GOLD, PALACES, AND PALM TREES
Park Hyatt, Dubai
In the exotic Middle Eastern nation of Dubai, world class cuisines, stylish décor, and spectacular views characterize the restaurants in the recently opened Park Hyatt Dubai. Café Arabesque¸ a restaurant that celebrates the culinary delights of the Levantine region, is influenced by the flavors of Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The open bakery and the two wood-burning ovens further enhance the experience by capturing traditional aromatic flavors. With a veranda that presents magnificent views over the Creek and marina, Café Arabesque is perfect for al fresco dining.
With floor-to-ceiling windows that allow for views of the Dubai Creek, The Terrace, is a spectacular venue for relaxing and enjoying the sunset over the water. The Terrace is separated into three areas: the indoor bar; canopy covered terrace; and outdoor boardwalk, all set amidst abundant palm trees. The indoor bar features a fabulous central stand-alone raw bar offering a selection of caviar, oysters, and Baltic salmon accompanied by a vast selection of some twenty premium vodkas.
ST.PATRICK'S, ROCKEFELLER CENTER, SKATING RINK, TOURISTS
Rockefeller Center Hotel, New York City
Located on the seventh floor of the stylish, new Rockefeller Center Hotel at 25 West 51st Street, The Terrace Club at Rockefeller Plaza offers the perfect spot for on-the-go executives to meet with colleagues and business associates. In addition to fine dining at generously-spaced tables (view included) members will have a calm space to work, socialize at the bar, and just relax. Just because Katie Couric left Studio 1A in Rockefeller Center doesn't mean you have to.
