Gastronomy
PER AQUUM Niyama launches Nest – the wildest restaurant in the Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – A short trek from your luxury villa where you’ve cast away in the Dhaalu Atoll, you emerge in the heart of the jungle. Beneath the ancient branches of the banyan trees, you walk the planks of wooden pathways and wind through the forest trunks. Ascend spiralled stairs and step through the canopy along bridges flanked by bamboo rails. Leaves dance in an ecstatic shimmy. Tropical birds call out with sirens echoing through the treetops. Then a chilled sculpture of sashimi arrives in a globe of ice, a modern vessel for one of many Asian delicacies you will savour in your expedition at one of the Indian Ocean’s leading dining destinations.
Recently unveiled to the world’s connoisseurs, Nest at PER AQUUM Niyama in the Maldives invites the resort’s guests as well as gourmands from further afield to experience one of the wildest culinary journeys to be found in the Maldives. Despite being freshly hatched, Nest is already attracting attention and has been shortlisted for international design awards including ‘Sexiest Design’ at LE Miami.
Design: Exploring the Surreal
Nest twirls and towers in the green heart of its island home. Conceptualised and brought to life by Singapore-based design firm Poole Associates, the multi-level tree house unfurls as a labyrinth of wooden paths, dining pods immersed in jungle greenery and thatched huts. Tables are nestled amongst the dense foliage and serpentine vines on the forest floor or on platforms elevated six metres up in the treetops.
Dining huts, one housing a teppan table, shelter guests beneath cavernous rooftops. From within, guests gaze up at a dramatic vaulted ceiling that soars high above in a steep dome of latticed beams and bamboo. At table level, accents of red lacquer and woven green furnishings merge oriental influences and an island aesthetic.
Cuisine: Asian Avant-garde
To amuse your bouche, Nest begins each party’s meal with welcome nibbles that elevate Southeast Asia’s local-loved snacks. Lift off in the first moments with house-made prawn crackers, spicy sambal dips, and nut savouries kicked up a notch with crispy celery and kaffir lime leaves. Then delve into a selection of Asian regional fare from the groundbreaking menu.
Chef Jayadi Suwito explains, “My goal for this menu was to push and tease. Guests will find dishes from Asia’s most celebrated cuisines like Thai, Cantonese, Japanese – but they will also get a chance to discover lesser known culinary traditions with must-try sensational dishes from places like Cambodia, Indonesia and Myanmar.”
Guests revel in layers of flavours in salads, soups, curries, modern woks and Nest-only seafood specialties. The raw ingredients comprise freshly caught and flown-in harvests as well as seasonal produce from the Chef’s own island garden. Highlighted just-picked greens and other cultivars include mint, sweet basil, eggplants, cucumber, chilies and morning glory.
For a theatrical meal, the teppanyaki stage is the most desired table in the house. Guests may also go communal in typical Asian style with hot pot dining. Soon-to-launch highlights include the Korean grill and soju experience as well as Black Ivory coffee, the world’s most expensive roast.
The dessert menu indulges patrons with sweet finales fusing European confections and Asia’s lush tropical delights. No visit would be complete without an order of Nest’s signature dessert, Luwak Coffee Brûlée. Chef Jayadi infuses the rich cream custard with a secret recipe featuring Kopi Luwak essence and serves it accompanied by roasted banana ice cream.
The Culinary Team
With such varied cuisines spanning the East, Nest requires a team of specialists to capture and re-imagine the intricacies of each tradition. The restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Jayadi, leads the brigade. Born on Indonesia’s exotic island of Lombok, he possesses nearly two decades of expertise gained in Asia’s finest kitchens. A trio of right-hand men lend their own genius and head up the restaurant’s Teppanyaki, Chinese and Thai offerings. To round out the artisanal cadre, a Sake master replaces the expected Sommelier position and curates an inspiring collection of Asian spirits.
Securing a Spot
Nest at PER AQUUM Niyama is open daily from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm and welcomes guests for its savage-chic fine dining experience with a smart-casual dress code. First-priority reservations go to PER AQUUM guests, but outside parties are welcome to contact the resort to secure a table and glimpse life on ‘Nature’s Playground’.
As one of the hottest gourmet destinations in the Maldives, other dining options at PER AQUUM Niyama include Tribal, the innovative African dining experience, fine dining at Edge, which is only accessible by boat, Subsix, the underwater playground and BLU, the laid-back beachfront restaurant where Miami meets the Mediterranean.
For more information on Nest go to: http://niyama.peraquum.com/dining/Nest/
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton at CROSSROADS Maldives is raising the bar with spiritueux sans alcohol . The destination has introduced Sober Spirits, a range of premium alcohol-free distilled spirits, at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton and key dining venues across The Marina. This innovative initiative promises indulgence without the compromise, catering to those who love the craft of spirits and cocktails but prefer to skip the buzz. Offering a sophisticated twist with alcohol-free indulgence, Sober Spirits brings everyone to the table for an unforgettable festive celebration this year at CROSSROADS Maldives.
Crafted with precision and passion, Sober Spirits Gin 0.0% and Rum 0.0% bring the depth, complexity, and aromatic experience of classic spirits to the table. It calls to be enjoyed neat, paired with mixers, or stirred into inventive mocktails and prove that indulgence does not require compromise. Adding to the lineup is the globally celebrated Lyre’s Amaretti Non-Alcoholic, bringing a nutty and sweet sophistication to the sober sipping experience.
“At CROSSROADS Maldives, we celebrate diversity—not just in cultures, but in choices. The introduction of Sober Spirits across our resort and restaurants is our way of embracing inclusivity, ensuring that every guest, whether they drink alcohol or not, can raise a glass and savour the moment,” adds Ahmed Jalaludeen- Food & Beverage Manager at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton.
The magic behind Sober Spirits lies in its meticulous crafting process. Born in the heart of France, these spirits undergo an initial distillation before the alcohol is gently removed using state-of-the-art techniques. The result? A flavour profile so authentic, it is hard to believe it is alcohol-free.
Guests at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton and dining hotspots of the Marina – Kinkao, Jiao Wu, and Kebab & Kurry will now have the chance to experience this first-of-its -kind offering. Raise a glass to a zero-proof Mojito, savour the herbaceous notes of a G&T, or enjoy the pure simplicity of Sober Spirits on the rocks for a truly extraordinary moment. With the arrival of Sober Spirits, CROSSROADS Maldives is not just leading the conversation on alcohol-free luxury—it is redefining it.
One menu; two hearts. The third chapter in the culinary partnership between master of modern Indian cuisine Chef Hari Nayak and Head Chef Kishan Singh of Baraabaru continues at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa this holiday season.
From December 15 to 21, 2024, Chef Nayak will be in residence at Kuda Huraa launching a dazzling new menu at Baraabaru – one of CNN Travel’s top ten Maldives’ Finest Tables 2022. In Baraabaru’s dramatic torch-lit lagoon-top surrounds, the chefs’ modern interpretation of traditional regional cuisine offers an illuminating journey across India. Every bite tells the story of two chefs united by a love of authentic Indian flavours, fresh local ingredients, and the joy of co-creation.
Small plates are inspired by the Subcontinent’s vibrant street foods and bustling culinary culture. Bright and tangy Shiso Leaf Chaat reimagines traditional chaat with fresh shiso leaves for a citrus-fresh bite; a light Avocado Bhel sings with zesty spices; and Dahi Vada Aloo Dum pairs soft yogurt-soaked vadas with flavourful potatoes for a comfort-fuelled fusion of textures and tastes.
Mains also offer a contemporary twist on classic dishes. Daab Chingri bursting with plump prawns in coconut elevates a traditional Bengali dish with bold, aromatic notes. Mysore Biryani brings the essence of southern India with fragrant rice, slow-cooked meat, and an intricate spice balance. Duck Mappas reinterprets the Keralan classic, with succulent duck in a warmly spiced coconut sauce.
The heart-led partnership between Indian-born, New York-based Chef Hari Nayak and Indian-born, Maldives-based Chef Kishan Singh unites two culinary visionaries. A trailblazer of modern Indian gastronomy, Chef Nayak has elevated Indian cuisine with his artful interpretations. Chef Singh, celebrated for his mastery of natural flavours and expertise in India’s diverse culinary traditions, brings a passion that has cemented Baraabaru’s 25-year reputation as the Maldives’ leading Indian restaurant. Their collaboration, which began in October 2023, spans seasonal week-long residencies, a year-round set-dinner menu, and a deep commitment to shared dreams and passions.
Discover the alchemy of Chef Nayak and Chef Singh’s partnership at Baraabaru at Four Seasons Resort Kuda Huraa from December 15, 2024. Chef Nayak will be in residence from December 15 to 21, 2024, and April 21 to 26, 2025 with the “Two Hearts” menu available at Baraabaru year-round.
To be one of the first to try the latest Two Hearts menu at Baraabaru, email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or call the Central Reservations department of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at tel: (960) 66 00 888.
Coco Collection, one of the highly recognised Maldivian-owned hospitality brands, is set to kick off 2025 by welcoming the globally celebrated Pâtissier, Chef Joanna Artieda, from 27 to 29 January, and Whole Hog BBQ’er, Chef Jord Althuizen, from 24 to 26 February, to Coco Bodu Hithi in North Malé Atoll.
Chef Joanna, a culinary virtuoso with years of expertise, has earned acclaim for her remarkable achievements and artistry. This includes receiving the first woman title of Best Spanish Chef in 2016, Madrid Fusion honour for two consecutive years, and to be titled as 1 of the 10 desserts that set trends in the World in Pastry Revolution Magazine in 2019. Further she acquired her last two honours, the 2022 Navarra Award for Gastronomy and the 2022 Best Pastry Chef Award.
At the end of 2019, she published her first book, “Sweet 12” (the world’s first digital book dedicated to seasonal products), a true creative tool with high hopes of innovating the traditions of sweet cuisine creation.
This collaboration ensures to feature the captivating fresh flavours of the island while artfully crafting an array of delectable sweets and mouthwatering small bites complemented with different flavours for guests of all ages – an exciting way to welcome the auspicious Year of the Dragon!
While Coco Bodu Hithi is known for its stunning barbecues under the stars, Coco Collection is honoured to welcome Chef Jord during the most romantic time of the year. Notable for his Whole Hog BBQ’er title in 2014, Chef Jord has won multiple awards for authoring four best-selling BBQ cookbooks (of the year award 2016 and 2017). Guests are invited for exquisite dining experiences at the resort as he puts forth a master of the grill and backed with his skill of perfection with an unforgettable dining experience, especially for the couples.
Recognised with multiple honours recently, Coco Collection aims to provide a unique culinary experience each day with incredible varieties. With Michelin Star chefs regularly visiting to create exquisite dining experiences for its guests, complementing the work Group Culinary Director and Michelin Star awarded chef, Martin Cahill, reflecting the resorts commitment to service and highly regarded gastronomic offerings.
Inspired to explore and indulge at Coco Bodu Hithi soon? Get ready to take advantage of the Discover Coco deals, which offer up to 40% savings on the spacious and comfortable villas. To reserve, contact reservations@cococollection.com and secure your extraordinary getaway.
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