Edible Masterpieces

Words Vidula KotianDate 12 October 2022

It’s no secret that we have a soft spot for creativity in all its forms, but especially on the plate when it is elevated to an art form.

An absolute treat for the eyes, the nose, and the palate, the following kitchens have had us dreaming about their creatives confections long after we’ve left their heavenly doors.

The power of one

Rastrello, Umbria, Italy

Set in one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, this fully restored 14th-century palazzo on the border of Umbria and Tuscany captures the natural beauty, rich history, and organic goodness of the Italian countryside. A main ingredient in the hotel kitchen is its very own award-winning olive oil, which makes its way onto the menu in numerous ways, one of the most delicious being the homemade olive oil ice cream.

Not to be missed The local homemade olive oil ice cream at Rastrello

Stripped by hand Olives picked at the hotel's grove

With a side of mountain

Parkhotel Mondschein, Bolzano, South Tyrol

On a parklike setting in the heart of the South Tyrolean city of Bolzano, Parkhotel Mondschein is an Old-World structure newly transformed into a design-lovers’ haven, embracing guests in a sea of velvet and earth tones, with a yoga studio, spa, pool, three restaurants, and two bars. While excellent dining is a given at any of the Dissetori brothers’ hotels, it’s the spellbinding setting here with the Dolomites in the background that makes the experience extra special.

Seasonal The freshest ingredients find their way to your table

The terrace Parkhotel Mondschein offers a lush dining setting

Gorgeous goodies

Hotel Windsor, Liguria, Italy

Hotel Windsor brings to life the golden age of the Italian Riviera. Set in a picturesque seaside fishing village with a visual allure comparable to what one finds in Cinque Terre, Hotel Windsor presents the glamorous Italy of the 1950s and 1960s. Connecting food, a sense of place, and storytelling that defines its gorgeous Ligurian locale, the hotel’s seafront restaurant uses an incredible wealth of fresh, regional ingredients to produce specially crafted delights such as Vessalico garlic ice cream, prickly pear mousse, caramelized figs, and raspberry.

All set for autumn Apricot from Valleggia, sage, white chocolate and almond served at Hotel Windsor's seafront restaurant

Ligurian locale Hotel Windsor tells the story of its place through materials

Laigueglia One of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy

Bagni Windsor Hotel Windsor’s private beach

Provenance in the Alps

Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel, Lech am Arlberg, Austria

The Rote Wand Stuben at the Rote Wand Gourmet Hotel in Austria’s winter resort village of Lech am Arlberg has long been a culinary destination for those seeking classic Alpine cuisine. And since 2017 a more elaborate and educational experience has emerged with dinners involving a 19-course meal served in a late-18th-century schoolhouse called the Rote Wand Chef’s Table. An essential aspect of the restaurant’s ethos is the detailed presentation of each dish to diners by a kitchen team who wants to share its appreciation for provenance and quality before guests begin to eat.

The Rote Wand Stuben For topnotch Alpine cuisine

Minimalist art on a plate

Wilmina, Berlin, Germany

Hidden in the heart of buzzing Charlottenburg, this former courthouse and women’s prison is now home to a rich culture, culinary splendor, and liberating luxury. Sheltered by lush gardens and interflowing courtyards, the hotel’s Lovis restaurant offers a hidden place to discover Chef Sophia Rudolph’s inventive German-meets-French cuisine, all served to minimalist perfection.

Tactful renovation Wilmina nods to its past as a prison

Regional renaissance

Torre de Palma Wine Hotel, Alentejo, Portugal

Dating from 1338, Torre de Palma Wine Hotel celebrates the ancient Roman passion for wine, olive oil, horses, and spas in the heart of Alentejo’s wine region. Michelin-star Chef Miguel Laffan has elevated the regional cuisine to a higher plane at the hotel’s Palma restaurant. While the main courses are inspired, the options for those with a sweet tooth, such as crème brûlée with sweet herbs from the hotel garden and raspberry ice cream, are simply irresistible.

Boutique winery Torre de Palma's estate produces artisanal wines

Alentejo cuisine Palma Restaurant elevates the regional food to a higher plane

High time for tea

Adelphi Hotel, Melbourne, Australia

The queen of Melbourne’s boutique hotel scene, the Adelphi finds the sweet spot between whimsy and luxury on the iconic Flinders Lane. Fittingly, the interiors feature rich, chocolate-toned furnishings, carpets patterned like cakes, and “licorice allsorts” stools. But its restaurant Om Nom is where one’s wildest sweet dreams come true thanks to weekend high teas that feature both sugary and savory works of art as well as creative cocktails.

Work of art Sweet treat at Adelphi Hotel

The French touch

La Maison Palmier, Ivory Coast, Africa

Abidjan’s first boutique hotel, La Maison Palmier is a leafy oasis of contemporary design with vintage panache in the residential enclave of Les Deux Plateaux. The hotel’s lush setting is complemented by rich contemporary French dishes at Le Bistro Palmier, which use local ingredients and are served in an inspiring indoor and outdoor setting. Carefully sourced and creatively presented, the food is a testament to the seasons.