Cooking
Amilla Fushi’s new Barolo Grill Italian Kitchen brings Piedmont flavours to Maldives
Amilla Fushi has yet again introduced a new culinary experience, with the opening of the new Barolo Grill Italian Kitchen restaurant, located at the island’s beachside foodie hub Baazaar.
Conceived by Mark Hehir, Curator and CEO of The Small Maldives Island Co. which runs Amilla and its sister resort of Finolhu, Barolo Grill Italian Kitchen pays homage to rolling hills of Piedmont in northern Italy, a region of rich and distinctive culinary heritage perhaps best known for its famous Barolo wine.
Drawing on his extensive experience as a chef, Hehir and his team have created an inspired menu replete with exquisite antipasti, fresh handmade pasta, and select meats, fish and seafood. Simply cooked over an open flame chargrill it is delicious proof that this manna from the mountains of northern Italy works just as beautifully at sea level in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll.

A hymn to the hills of Piedmont, the menu at Barolo Grill is a respectful balance of familiar ‘friends’ from the old country and fresh Maldivian twists. Antipasti include Burrata with heirloom tomato and warm aubergine with baby buffalo mozzarella and basil pesto, alongside yellow fin tuna tartare with avocado and black olive tapenade and reef fish carpaccio with taggiasca olives and lemon dressing. The signature charcuterie platter is an utterly authentic affair pairing a delectable selection of small goods with 24-year aged balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.
Fresh handmade pasta, risotto and gnocchi are complimented by ‘Land’ or ‘Ocean’ dishes from the grill, complete with recommended paired wines for selected dishes. Tagliolini pasta with pecorino cheese sauce and crushed black pepper is paired with a 2013 Itynera Prima Classe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo; Mullwara ribeye beef with a 2013 Meroi Ros di Buri Merlot Friuli; and yellow fin tuna with a 2010 Castello della Sala Cervaro della Sala. Barolo’s house fish specialties, meanwhile, include the signature Fisherman’s Crustacean Stew, slow cooked with blood orange peel, hints of roasted garlic, chilli, thyme and basil, and served with crusty aglio e olio sourdough croutons hot from the pan. Wash it down with a crisp Antinori Santa Cristina, before surrendering to the temptation of the house Dolci – will it be authentic gelato or tiramisu, the more tropical tastes of mango and passionfruit pannacotta or a cheesecake cheekily pairing another of Piedmont’s world-famous exports, Nutella, with a sweetly sour cherry sorbet?
Barolo Grill’s tasting kitchen also gives diners an opportunity to sample special gastronomic menus showcasing some of the region’s most famous wines, together with signature sourdough, marinated olives and delectable artisanal cheeses and charcuterie.
The opening of Barolo Grill Italian Kitchen is the latest hot helping of culinary creativity from the team at Amilla, following hard on the heels of the launch of the island’s new fairytale, festival-inspired Destination Dining den Mystique Garden, and the first edition of a four-stage pop-up partnership with Gordon Ramsay‘s celebrated Bread Street Kitchen. Subsequent Bread Street Kitchen pop-ups will take up residence in Barolo Grill Italian Kitchen from October 16-27; December 19, 2017 to January 10, 2018; and March 23 to April 7, 2018.

The new openings and pipeline of pop-up residencies from the hottest restaurant names underscore Amilla’s deserved reputation for culinary excellence and creativity, and add to the island’s pantheon of food and drink experiences.
As well as Barolo Grill, the island’s breezy culinary heartbeat Baazaar features Joe’s Pizza, the traditional British chippy-inspired Fish and Chips, Fresh and Wok. Emperor General Store is a sophisticated, gourmet café-deli where guests can eat in or grab takeaway snacks, drinks and light meals to enjoy in the privacy of their House. The Wine Cellar serves up carefully curated fine wines and artisanal cheeses, while Amilla’s fabulous 60-cover, signature overwater restaurant Feeling Koi showcases a selection of artfully crafted sushi, nigiri and sashimi in Japanese-inspired minimalist surroundings with a private open-air dining room and open deck seating by the water’s edge and an open kitchen.
Located just 30 minutes by seaplane from the Maldives’ main Velana International Airport, Amilla offers a choice of 59 Houses that sit gracefully over crystal clear waters, nestle among lush tree tops or hug the shores of pristine white sand; plus eight spectacular four- to eight-bedroom Beach Residences ideally suited to large families, groups of friends and VVIPs seeking the ultimate in space and privacy.
Cooking
Baros Maldives’ The Lighthouse to present Duval-Leroy champagne pairing experience
Baros Maldives invites guests and discerning epicureans to an exclusive Champagne pairing dinner at The Lighthouse, the island’s iconic fine-dining restaurant, on 4 March 2026. Hosted for one evening only by Louis Duval-Leroy, family representative and Brand Ambassador of Maison Duval-Leroy, the intimate five-course experience celebrates the harmony between refined gastronomy and Champagne craftsmanship.
Perched above the Indian Ocean with panoramic ocean views, The Lighthouse is synonymous with Baros’ culinary philosophy. Long regarded as a benchmark for fine dining in the Maldives, the restaurant is known for its elegant setting, considered menus, and a focus on precision and technique. This one-night collaboration brings together Baros’ culinary team and the heritage of one of Champagne’s notable family-owned houses.
Founded in 1859, Maison Duval-Leroy is recognised for its Chardonnay-driven style, contemporary approach, and commitment to terroir and sustainability. Independent and family-owned for six generations, the House has been a pioneer in responsible viticulture, becoming the first Champagne house to achieve ISO 9002 certification in 1994, followed by Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification in 2015.
Representing the sixth generation, Louis Duval-Leroy brings both heritage and a modern perspective to the estate. With a background in business and extensive commercial experience, he has developed close relationships with chefs and sommeliers across the international fine-dining community. During the evening, he will personally guide guests through each cuvée, sharing insights into the philosophy, craftsmanship, and stories behind every Champagne.
The five-course menu has been carefully curated to complement the character of each pairing. Highlights include Smoked Goat Cheese Parfait with golden beets, paired with Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve; a Black Cod Mosaic matched with Brut Rosé Prestige Premier Cru; and a Lemon Meringue Tart served alongside Prestige Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs.
The Duval-Leroy Champagne Pairing Dinner offers an opportunity to experience Baros Maldives through destination dining, heritage Champagne, and an oceanfront setting.
With limited seating available, advance reservations are recommended. For bookings and enquiries, please contact +960 664 2672 or email reservations@baros.com.
Cooking
Michelin-starred Chef Jaume collaborates with One&Only Reethi Rah’s TAPASAKE for four-hands dinner
TAPASAKE Maldives, the destination dining restaurant set in the private island of One&Only Reethi Rah, will be welcoming Michelin-starred Chef Jaume to serve an exclusive four-hands dinner at the iconic overwater restaurant alongside their resident Chef Ahmed Jameel.
The first of its kind since the inception of One&Only Reethi Rah, TAPASAKE Maldives features breathtaking ocean views, bold contemporary design, and dining experiences that unite the precision of Japan and the soul of the Mediterranean in a flowing exchange of flavour, texture, and culture. In addition to the original restaurant in the Maldives, TAPASAKE also operates in Dubai, Mauritius, and Montenegro.
The exclusive collaboration features the authentic and sophisticated artistry of Chef Jaume, originally from Mallorca and Head Chef of Béns d’Avall in Sóller, Spain, awarded one Michelin star since 2021 and a Michelin Green Star in 2023. Chef Jaume’s cuisine is deeply rooted in family tradition, cultural heritage, and the Mallorcan landscapes, and with his meticulous eye for detail and instinctive sense of harmony, Chef Jaume transforms local, seasonal produce into refined compositions that evoke memory, place, and authenticity. Chef Jaume will be collaborating with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Ahmed Jameel, a native of the Maldives whose culinary work is founded in balancing both traditional and contemporary Japanese techniques.

Set against the soothing backdrop of the azure Indian Ocean, the Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptionally curated menu celebrating Chef Jaume and Chef Jameel’s quiet artistry, refined technique, and harmonious blend of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines, with each dish shaped to honour the purity of ingredients and the emotional power of flavour.
“We are excited to collaborate with Chef Jaume on this exclusive dining experience,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah. “Paired with Chef Jameel’s refined techniques and Chef Jaume’s sophisticated creativity and philosophy grounded in a deep respect for nature, this Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptional evening to celebrate the fusion of soulful cuisine against the spectacular backdrop of the Maldives.”
The dinner will be held exclusively on 18 February at TAPASAKE Maldives, which will be open from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
For pre-bookings and more information, please email guest.information@oneandonlyreethirah.com or call +960 664 8800. For more information about the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com.
Cooking
ONDA debuts at The Standard, Maldives as new Mediterranean dining venue
The Standard, Maldives is making waves with the debut of ONDA. More than just a restaurant, ONDA (meaning “wave”) is an energetic, sophisticated take on Mediterranean cuisine, designed to be the most exciting dining destination in the region. Delivering bold, soulful food with a “come-as-you-are” vibe, ONDA flips the script on typical resort dining by replacing formality with pure, sun-drenched enjoyment.
“ONDA is a commitment to the playful, unconventional spirit of The Standard,” says Justin Swart, General Manager. “We aren’t just breaking the mold; we’re setting a new benchmark for fresh, flavorful experiences that are truly full of life.”

Led by Chef David Hartwig, a visionary with a Michelin-starred pedigree, ONDA is a passion project rooted in the philosophy of “Close to Nature, Close to Tradition.” His menu celebrates pristine Maldivian seafood through a Mediterranean lens.
Signature dishes include:
- Red Snapper Crudo: A tribute to local waters, utilising traditional curing methods paired with a high-umami citrus vinaigrette—the “hero” of Mediterranean fruit.
- Caramelle Scampi with Chives: Hand-crafted pasta paired with succulent scampi in a refined, chive-infused bouillabaisse foam.
- ONDA Bouillabaisse: A lighter, vibrant reimagining of the French classic, utilising a base of scampi heads and herbs sourced from neighbouring islands.
- Amalfi Lemon Cake: A moist, citrus-forward sponge that captures the aromatic essence of the Mediterranean coast.

The beverage programme at ONDA reimagines classics through house-made cordials, tinctures, and infusions. The aspiration is to treat every cocktail as a sensory voyage.
- Golden Drift: A smoky, citrus journey of aquavit, sherry, and pineapple, inspired by Mediterranean sunsets.
- ONDA Spritz: A sparkling ode to coastal gardens featuring tangerine sherbet and woodruff tincture.
- Mindful Drinking: A sophisticated 0% cocktail selection ensures every guest enjoys the same complexity and flair without the alcohol.
The wine programme at ONDA is curated to tell a story of heritage. From the crisp minerality of a Joseph Drouhin Chablis 2022 to the prestige of Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore, the list is designed for the discerning palate. Our team focuses on the “why” behind every bottle, explaining the significance of labels like Chapoutier’s 2017 Chrysopée to ensure perfect harmony with Chef Hartwig’s menu.

ONDA is here to stay, rewriting the rules for island dining. It’s the brand’s definitive answer to luxury without pretension, an anchor point for flavour and fun that promises to be just as fresh and exhilarating as the Maldivian waves it’s named after. The New Wave of Culinary Excellence has officially Arrived at The Standard Maldives, proving ONDA is exactly what The Standard does best: taking the typical resort dining experience and flipping it on its head.
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