Beachside Dining
Poster: Peter Leonard 29/11/2007
Beachside dining…. al fresco at its best IN THE FIRST PART OF H!’S AL FRESCO DINING SPECIAL, SAM JONES DISCOVERS SOME OF THE COAST’S FINEST BEACHSIDE VENUES – TO RELAX AND UNWIND OVER EXCELLENT FOOD AND WINE. NIKKI BEACH International flavours Open in the daytime for long leisurely lunches, Nikki Beach is also one of the Coast’s coolest venues to enjoy dinner and drinks as palms sway and world-class DJs play a chilled-out soundtrack. The superb menu forms part of the winning cocktail that has made Nikki Beach such a hit in far-reaching glamorous destinations including St. Tropez, St. Barths and Nikki’s home town Miami. Executive chef Brian Molloy – who has been creating globally inspired cuisine for Nikki Beach since 2001 and has cooked for the world’s billionaires and highest-profile stars − classes Nikki Beach dishes as pure “simplicity”, offering a mouth-watering selection of appetisers, salads, main dishes and sushi, stunningly presented using the finest ingredients. Combining flavours from around the world, classics include the hot appetiser platter with St. Tropez jumbo lump crab cakes, seared beef salad with blue cheese and white truffle infused vinaigrette; and chicken satay served with Asian vegetables in spicy peanut sauce and bamboo-steamed jasmine rice. New dishes making an appearance on this year’s menu include a melt-in-the-mouth grilled sole menuière, a classic steak tartare and the tempting Miami Cuban sandwich; while new on the culinary agenda this season is Nikki Nights – a gastronomic dining experience where diners can savour a selection of the world’s favourite cuisine in a spectacular beachside buffet. Take a culinary tour with the Miami grill featuring American favourites such as New York steaks; an Asian assortment bursting with Eastern promise; sumptuous Spanish and Italian dishes; or Mexican fare to satisfy those looking for something hot and spicy for their palate.
Nikki Beach: Playa Hotel Don Carlos, Elviria; Tel. 952 836 239; www.nikkibeach.com SONORAFunky beach retreat Away from the glitz and glamour of life in Marbella, and tucked away “Tarifa-style” just off the quiet Los Granados beach, Sonora makes a welcome addition to the Coast’s bar and restaurant scene. Reminiscent of beach bars in Thailand or Bali, the dark wood decking, original Balinese furniture and cushioned chill-out area scattered with vibrant colours and fresh flowers offer a refreshing take on beach living. The creation of Javi Mas-Baga − nephew of Victor from Marbella institution Victor’s Beach − Sonora is about relaxing and having a good time, with great music and excellent food. There’s a bar area to enjoy cocktails and freshly squeezed juices, sunbeds on the beach to while away an afternoon (with a massage if you chose) and a restaurant area to savour Sonora’s great food throughout the day. Regular DJs – playing anything from chill-out to funk and reggae – are a new feature and there’s even a funky boutique where Javi’s wife Laura sells chic beachwear and accessories custom-made especially for Sonora in Bali and India. Beach lovers can start their day at Sonora with a healthy breakfast − muesli with fresh fruit, honey and Greek yoghurt; special panninis such as the vegetarian option with courgette, feta and roasted peppers; or breakfast platters with goat’s cheese and the finest
serrano ham. The daytime menu includes something for everyone, with an assortment of salads, succulent burgers, lighter bites, appetisers and main courses using the finest meats and fish. The grilled tuna steak perfectly presented with wild asparagus and cherry tomatoes and the teriyaki chicken served with julienne stir-fry and basmati rice are proving bit hits. The
piece de resistance at Sonora is dessert with an indulgent chocolate brownie, home-made carrot cake, classic strawberries and cream or designer ice-creams from Giangrossi.
Sonora Beach: CN-340 Km.163, Estepona; Tel. 619 318 098 / 626 060 624 MISTRAL BEACH Sandy paradise Described as a “personal paradise” in the corner of Puerto Banús, Mistral Beach is one of Marbella’s most-popular sandy havens, where beach lovers can while away the afternoon on a the beach while being sprayed with cooling mist to the sounds of tranquil tunes. Attracting a hip international crowd, Mistral is also an excellent place for socialising and meeting friends, with large restaurant tables and dining areas on the beach. For the more active beach-goer there’s also a choice of fun water sports. But, aside from the attractive setting and enticing ambience, customers return to Mistral time and time again for its well-deserved reputation for excellent food, including fantastic fish dishes, paellas and a wide choice of fresh, colourful salads. Appetising starters such as the carpaccio of salmon and a classic Italian breseola with parmesan and fresh rocket offer a lighter beachside dish or
entrée to a long-lazy lunch washed down with a good selection of wines. A superb choice of seafood (lobster, crayfish, tiger prawn…) or fish (sea bass, bream, snapper, swordfish, turbot…) come lovingly baked in salt or cooked
a la plancha; while succulent meat and seafood are served straight from the barbecue on a brochette.
Mistral Beach: Playa del Rodeo, Puerto Banús; Tel. 952 113 284; www.mistral-beach.com THE BEACH HOUSE Relaxed and sophisticated Situated In one of the Coast’s finest beachside locations, The Beach House in Elviría offers a sophisticated and relaxed fine dining experience in tranquil surroundings where superb food can be enjoyed either on the beach or in the palm-covered restaurant, which also makes an idyllic place to dine at night. To accompany the impressive refurbishment with extended sea views and lounge bar, The Beach House has launched a new menu comprising innovative Mediterranean and international cuisine. The extensive list of dishes includes tasty salads and starters such as honey-glazed goat’s cheese in an apple and walnut salad with thyme dressing; crab and ginger salad; seared scallops with pesto and roasted red onion dressing; and Thai-infused mussels in coconut, chilli, lemongrass and ginger. The main courses are just as tempting, with lobster and new potato served with an asparagus hollandaise; fresh salmon fishcakes with mango; oriental duck with cumin noodles; and slow-braised lamb shank with roasted parsnips, minted pea mash and rosemary and garlic. For a lighter bite to eat, sandwiches, wraps and stir-fries are served from the beachside chiringuito bar. An excellent list of wines, champagnes, drinks and cocktails created by The Beach House’s own bar flarer make the perfect accompaniment.
The Beach House: Urb. Coto de los Dolores, Elviria; Tel. 952 839 458; www.thebeachhousemarbella.com
