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Savory Fig & Fennel

Chef Robert Hohmann uses coastal ingredients to create the contemporary Mediterranean flavors at 1500 OCEAN in San Diego.

Since it was built more than 120 years ago, the Hotel del Coronado has been a beacon of grandeur in San Diego. The hotel’s signature restaurant, 1500 OCEAN, recently unveiled a tantalizing menu by new chef de cuisine Robert Hohmann, who uses a farm-to-table approach. Hohmann artfully uses California coastal ingredients to conjure the flavors of Italy, France, and Morocco. 1500 OCEAN’S new menu offers an array of rich and enticing items, including Fig & Fennel salad—a dish inspired by the chef’s childhood memories and his Sicilian and German parents.

“Before and after most meals when I was growing up, we would have some combination of raw fennel, red wine, and espresso on the table, along with a plate of raw figs, cheese, and bittersweet chocolate. I put them [all] together for a luxurious, simple, and bold flavor— [the result was] Fig & Fennel.” hoteldel.com/1500-ocean. —Melissa C. Gillespie

Fig & Fennel: serves 8

Fig-Chocolate Sauce

1 c. port wine
11⁄2 c. stock (veg., chicken, or veal) 10 figs (cut in quarters)
1 double shot of espresso

11⁄4 oz. bittersweet chocolate Butter and sherry vinegar, to taste

1. Combine port, stock, and figs in ron-deau or large-bottom stockpot. Cook on medium heat until liquid is almost gone. Remove from heat. 2. Add espresso and transfer to blender. While blending, add chocolate and butter. 3. Finish with sherry vinegar, to taste. 4. Place in plastic container without lid and cool in refrigerator. Cover when cool.

Fennel Salad Shocking Oil

2 c. olive oil, good quality 4 heads fennel bulb,
cut into 6 wedges each
1⁄4 c. fennel seed

2 star anise

1. Put oil in freezer and get as cold
as possible without freezing. 2. Toast spices in pan. While still hot, drop them in the cold oil. 3. Blanch fennel bulb in salted water until tender. Seeds can be eaten in the salad or discarded.

Port Syrup

2 c. port wine 1 c. sugar

1. Combine port wine and sugar in small sauce pot and reduce over medium heat until mixture becomes syrup. 2. Transfer to small bowl and refrigerate until cool.

Preparation

1⁄2 lb. Point Reyes bleu cheese, cubed 24 fennel fronds (tops)
1⁄4 tsp. Italian black anise seeds
8 figs, quartered

Champagne vinegar to taste Salt to taste

1. Smear 1 tbsp. fig-chocolate sauce on plate. 2. On top, place 3 fennel wedges (seasoned with Champagne vinegar and salt); 1 fig (quartered and dressed with port syrup and fennel oil); and 4 or 5 cheese cubes. 3. Top with fennel fronds and sprinkle with a few anise seeds.

Celestial Santorini

Native Eco Villa

The Native Eco Villa is a slice of heaven in the midst of the Mediterranean.

Imerovigli, a village on the island of Santorini, Greece, is said to have some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. The town is often called the “balcony of the Aegean,” and perched on that balcony, ensuring visitors won’t miss a moment of nature’s artwork, is the Native Eco Villa. Balanced on the rim of a cliff overlooking the bay of Imerovigli, the villa offers sweeping views of the Aegean Sea and some of the world’s finest landscapes.

Recently undergoing a complete renovation to increase the property’s energy efficiency and eco-friendliness, the Native Eco Villa sleeps eight, with each bedroom accompanied by its own ensuite bathroom. Each of the villa’s two levels boasts its own outdoor Jacuzzi in which to relax and absorb the breathtaking views. Daily housekeeping and concierge services ensure a carefree stay. With only 470 permanent inhabitants, Imerovigli is the perfect destination for those yearning for peace and tranquility. Nevertheless, if a little exploring is part of the agenda, Fira, the island’s capital, is located less than two miles south. In town, an abundance of locally made jewelry, leather goods, art, and the freshest traditional foods can be found. Situated on the most easily accessed point of the cliff, the Native Eco Villa could not be more accommodating to the needs of the curious world traveler or the busy career person hoping to get away from it all.

Native Eco Villa is available for rent starting at $1,100 per night, depending on the time of year. A minimum three-night stay is required. villasofdistinction.com. —Alyssa Rosenthal

Baton Rouge; Burgess Yacht’s Newest Addition

Baton Rouge is one of Burgess Yachts’ newest additions and one of the most advanced yachts ever to ply the Mediterranean. Completed in 2010, the yacht’s exterior was designed by Tim Heywood; interiors, which feature wood, leather, marble, nickel, and bronze, are by Redman Whiteley Dixon. Baton Rouge’s outdoor spaces include a pool and a sundeck that converts to a party deck. The yacht accommodates 12 guests in seven cabins, including a 1,000-square-foot master suite. An air conditioned beach club has a fully equipped dive room and a gym, plus a variety of play things, including a Meyer limousine tender, wave runners, sea bobs, kayaks, and windsurfers. In the main salon, a 14-person dining table sits below a gold-framed recessed ceiling. The yacht comes with a staff of 16 and is available for charter, with weekly rates starting at $535,000. burgessyachts.com. —D.E.

Croatia; A Mediterranean Gem

Little known compared to more heavily trafficked regions of the Mediterranean, Croatia’s Istria region is rife with history, gorgeous scenery, and dependable European style. By Lisa Rogak

It’s not uncommon for travelers heading to the Istria region of Croatia to be asked by well-meaning friends, “Why go there when Italy is so close?” But this region’s fascinating history—it has been claimed by France, Austria, Slovenia, and even Italy at various points in time—affects everything from its food and architecture to its locals’ attitudes, making it worth a visit.

Europeans are well acquainted with Istria, first flocking here after the end of the Serbo-Croatian War in 1995, as desperate tourism entrepreneurs were eager to rebuild their businesses. Though these early efforts were geared toward budget travelers, in later years, a number of luxury hotels, attractions, and restaurants sprung up in the region.

Start your own Croatian holiday in Rovinj, a charming medieval town midway up the western coast. Then head up to Savudrija in the northwest, where on a clear day, you can see the Slovenian and Italian coasts. In Istria, hotels serve as ground zero for high-end travel: food, wine, spas, and décor are on par with luxury hotels anywhere in the world.

Great wineries are a short drive inland, and sixth- and seventh-generation winemakers are happy to talk at length about their wine. (Malvasia, a light, crisp white, is popular in the region.) When it comes to food, Istria’s is as fresh as it gets: At a seaside café, it’s not unusual to place your order, only to have a cook grab a fish that’s still swimming in a bucket from that morning’s catch, prep it, and toss it on the grill for lunch.

Celebrities have also discovered the allure of Istria. In the last few years, Naomi Campbell, John Malkovich, and Prince Harry have all been spotted there. Rumor has it that Brad Pitt is behind a new luxury oceanfront resort set to open opposite the Brijuni islands in the next couple of years; Angelina Jolie has also visited, even meeting with Croatian president Ivo Josipovic.

If Istria appeals to your inner explorer, plan your visit now: Croatia celebrated its best tourism year ever in 2011 and is slated to become part of the European Union in 2013, which will undeniably further alter the flavor of its already unique culture.

the essentials Istria, Croatia

1 Where to Stay In the Golden Cape Natural Park, the Hotel Lone in Rovinj opened in spring 2011. Located on the edge of a network of walking trails and an easy stroll to the center of Rovinj, the ultramodern Lone resembles a Jetson-era cruise ship. Luje Adamovica 31, HR – 52210 Rovinj. 385-52-632-000; lonehotel.com/en. The Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in Savudrija is the first five-star resort in Croatia and offers an 18-hole championship seaside golf course. Alberi 300 A, 52475 Savudrija; 385-52-707-000; kempinski.com.

2 Where to Eat Italian restaurants are abundant, but so are truffles. Some of the best places to partake: Monte offers black noir risotto and cauliflower soup with truffles. Montalbano 75, Rovinj 52210, Rovinj; 385-052-830-203; monte.hr. The L Restaurant at the Lone Hotel features cuisine and service that rivals any five-star American urban restaurant. Luje Adamovica 31, HR – 52210 Rovinj; 385-52-632-000; lonehotel.com/en.

3 What To Do Wander through the cobblestoned streets of Rovinj, dotted with farmers’ markets and cafes. Visit the Kozlovic Winery in the tiny town of Momjan and taste the Malvasia from winemaker Gianfranco Kozlovic, whose family started making wine on this land in 1904. Vale 78, 52462 Momjan; 385-52-779-177; kozlovic.hr.

2623 Delmar Place, Fort Lauderdale

2623delmarplace_3 Las Olas Point Lot Estate

An unimaginably beautiful Mediterranean-inspired point paradise, this walled and gated compound fronts 200± feet on the Intracoastal Waterway in a no-wake zone, stretching around to another 160± feet with prime dockage for a mega-yacht and separate guest house.

Contact Info:
2424 East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 3330
Direct: 954-449-78751
Cell: 954-328-3665
Julie@PremierEstateProperties.com
LuxuryRealEstateFtl.com

Impulsive Indulgence

The Impulsive Group sets two spectacular yachts afloat on the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas.

The Impulsive plies the waters of the Mediterranean.

Yachting enthusiasts can officially kiss the winter blues good-bye with a Mediterranean getaway aboard the 1994 Norship Impulsive. The 120-foot yacht, parented by the New York-based Impulsive Group, accommodates up to eight guests in four staterooms and is serviced by a staff of six, including a Michelin-star chef. An on-board arsenal of accessories—think Waverunners, Sea Doos, jet skis, a Jacuzzi, treadmill, water skis, beach toys, kneeboards and an extensive selection of CDs and DVDs—ensures that no wish or whim is left unfulfilled. Stops at nearby islands are made easy by the 32-foot Intrepid and 13-foot Zodiac.

After dark, guests can mingle in Impulsive’s main salon, designed specifically with entertaining in mind. Its centerpiece is a freeform bar with five uniquely crafted stools. A matching game table and chairs expand the social sanctuary. Guests can cap off a night of good-spirited gaming with dinner prepared by their personal chef and served on the wood-and-goatskin-accented dining room table. For drinks with a different perspective, Impulsive’s aft deck is outfitted with its own teak-finished wet bar, a plasma TV and dining space for eight.

If the crystalline waters of the Caribbean are more your speed, check out Impulsive’s smaller sister vessel, Impulsive Too. Six guests are accommodated aboard the 82-foot 2004 Sunseeker, whose accoutrements include a 13-foot Nautica, a two-seat Sea Doo, a banana boat, tubes and snorkel gear for eight. Onboard amenities include HD flat-screen TVs, karaoke, DVD library and players, DirecTV and iPod docking stations.

Impulsive and Impulsive Too are available for charter through The Sacks Group. Weekly rates for Impulsive start at $85,000; Impulsive Too’s weekly rates start from $52,000. For more information, visit www.sacksyachts.com.

By Lindsay Lambert