Best of the Maldives: Lobster Sushi – Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Olhiveli - lobster sushi

This is not a “Haven’t Seen”, but it should have been. Lobster is the most iconic luxury seafood, and sushi is a delightful, light delicacy for the warm weather. The dish Sun Siyam Olhuveli’s Executive Chef Didi Hassan’s signature specialty. Specifically, it is lobster maki with lobster mousse and cream, topped with tobiko and salmon roe. TripAdvisor Forum Destination Expert Moirad tells me that Raffles also features lobster sushi, but they ae going to have to show me what they have to convince me that it could be more spectacular than this presentation).

Olhuveli - lobster sushi

Best of the Maldives: Raised Beach Dining Cabana – Sun Siyam Olhuveli

Olhuveli - raised beach dining 2

Two of the most distinctive aspects to the Maldives is the intimacy of the islands with the surrounding ocean, and the mesmerizing vistas of dappled blues. One of the most memorable ways to enjoy both is the iconic beach dining. Many resorts now set tables on the sand by the water or construct special cabanas for dining to provide a bit of shelter from the ocean breeze and occasional shower. Sun Siyam Olhuveli has taken the latter to literally the next level with an elevated cabana so you sea view is all the more dramatic.

Olhuveli - raised beach dining 1

Best of the Maldives: International Personal Chef – Soneva Secret

Soneva Secret - personal chef

Soneva Secret is Soneva’s completely private island which not only provides its own personal chef for your party, but actually offers 14 (!):

  • “Guests can expect bespoke menus courtesy of their own private chef (there are 14—one for each villa).. We have 14 Chefs de Partie assigned to each of the 14 villas. They each are of a different nationality and come from a different type of cuisine. We will swap the Chefs de Cuisine to offer our guests variety. This level of personalization and destination dining is unique.”

Like having 14 different restaurants on your own islands.

Best of the Maldives: Street Food Vibe – Oaga

Oaga - street food 1

A number of resorts have leaned into the food station buffets to provide the best of buffet variety with the best of a la carte fresh preparation. Oaga has leant its distinctively artist styling to its version of this dining concept by creating a “street food” vibe with vibrantly coloured food stands along the appropriately sand floor.

Oaga - street food 2

Best of the Maldives: Soups – Heritance Aarah

Heritance Aarah - soup

I’m a big fan of soups in general. The wine of foods where the hot enlivens the flavours like the alcohol does with a fermented grape. And the delectable blends of flavours are endless. Finally, they are the dish that often takes the most amount of prep so when I am out it is a treat to enjoy them without all the work.

Dusit Thani had impressed me with their soup selection – variety and quality – nearly a decade ago, but they appear to have gone off the boil (pun intended) as their current menus don’t have the seem options. So when I was blown away by the Heritance Aarah’s soups at the Baani restaurant, it seemed time to crown a new queen of soups.

I was especially appreciative of this line up as I had a big lunch and was fancying a lighter bite for dinner and the Banana Shallot was just the ticket.

Best of the Maldives: Gourmet Maldivian – The Standard

The Standard - maldivian food 6

Many resorts feature Maldivian curries, fish dishes and of course the classic breakfast dish, mas huni. But The Standard’s Gudaguda restaurant takes Maldivian ingredients and recipes to a truly distinctive gourmet level. We enjoyed a meal including (pictured)

  • Rihaakuru Gulha (dried tuna balls – above)
  • Boraboa Riha – pumpkin curry
  • Ravaa Foni – semolina pudding, coconut sugar, pandan, pine nuts
  • Dhivehi Farumas Garudhiya – reef fish broth, moringa bread

The Standard - maldivian food 5

The Standard - maldivian food 4

The Standard - maldivian food 3

The Standard - maldivian food 2

The Standard - maldivian food 1

Best of the Maldives: Gut Reset – Joali Being

Joali Being - gut reset

With the holidays behind us, many of us are plotting our January resolutions or at least recovery from the excesses of the festivities. Joali Being offers and complete “Gut Reset” which is a 5, 7 or 10 night programme with comprehensive catalogue of consultations, meals and treatments – Massage, Detox, Microbiome Therapy | Gut Reset, Wellbeing | JOALI Being:

  • Especially designed to address the root cause of digestive disorders, this Wellbeing Programme promotes cellular detoxication and restores the natural balance of your microbiome through a synergistic blend of gentle detoxifying treatments.”

My gut feel is that this will make your gut feel great.

Best of the Maldives: Maldivian Nibbles – Sun Siyam Iru Veli

Iru Veli - Guhli

One of our little acid tests for a property’s true luxury is what sort of nibbles they serve with the cocktails.

  • 3-star properties don’t serve anything.
  • 4-star properties serve crisps and/or peanuts.
  • 5-star properties serve specially prepared snacky treats

Not only are Sun Siyam Iru Veli’s treats ample and distinctive, but they are especially Maldivian. They are tuna in crunchy bread balls with chilli which is a Maldivian recipe called “Guhli”.

 

Best of the Maldives: Ayurvedic Dining – Sun Siyam Vilu Reef

Vilu Reef - aruveydic dining

You can eat well at nearly all the resorts in the Maldives, but at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef you can GET well by eating. India National Day today is an opportunity to celebrate the culture of this Laccadive neighbour whose culture is found across the islands. Ayurvedic treatments can be found in many spas, but Chef Nitin has introduced ayurvedic dining at their “The Spice” restaurant. Healing cuisine is part of the Jain tradition and uses a range of ingredients to aid with certain conditions.

Chef Nitin (honored as the 2nd Best Chef in the India Chapter at the Bocuse d’Or 2012 World Chef’s Championship) pioneered his Spice Health Concept that emphasizes the overall health benefits of each component.  He described his approach, “Our special thali dinner is more than a meal; it’s a journey for your healthy intestine. We believe in using a combination of Indian and unique herb spices to boost immunity, promote gut health, and enhance overall well-being.”

Table Amenities: Journey for Your Healthy Intestine

  • Pineapple Relish: Rich in antioxidants and Bromelain enzyme, aiding in heart health and reducing inflammation.
  • Beetroot, Clove Fruit Vinegar Chutney: High in fiber, promoting the growth of good bacteria in the gut, and containing good sugars for internal healing.
  • Black Garlic Yoghurt: With prebiotic properties, stimulating appetite and contributing to gut health.

Amuse Bouche: Regenerate Your Body

  • Gluten-Free Pani Puri with 03 Different Shots
  • Tangy Green Apple and Mint Water: Rich in Vitamins A & C, acting as antioxidants to prevent cancer cell formation.
  • Beetroot and Basil Water: Anti-inflammatory properties for rejuvenation.
  • Young Turmeric Water: Antioxidant-rich, aiding the body in combating inflammation.

I enjoyed a dish made with hing asafoetida that aids digestion. Which after feasting on such much delicious food I definitely benefitted from.

Vilu Reef - ayurvedic dining 3