By Ilona Kauremszky
Now that Thanksgiving and Black Friday have passed — our attention has turned to the glorious festive lights illuminating cityscapes as so many are preparing to celebrate the Christmas season.
Shop keepers have spruced up windows in a spectrum of red, white and green but so has the hotel scene as hoteliers are transforming their properties into a yuletide glitter with uniquely designed Christmas trees bedazzling guests.
One luxury hotel chain is even going one step further on the gourmet holiday drinks and dishes. With culinary at the heart of many travelers’ experiences, the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has created a collection of the most coveted, shareable, and iconic menu items served at properties around the globe for this holiday’s treat.
Big bragging rights too – this year the leading global hotel company has set a milestone record boasting 27 Michelin stars at 18 dining venues worldwide.
To tease your holiday taste buds, here are three Masterdishes that help showcase an epicurean prowess where dishes and drinks are as distinct as the chefs who created them.
White Millefeuille
La Dame de Pic London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square
When Michelin-star chef Anne Sophie Pic first received her three Michelin stars, she overnight became France’s first female chef in 50 years to receive the coveted prize. France’s culinary darling who comes from a culinary dynasty of Michelin starred chefs has gone on to achieve even more superstardom, opening exclusive dining venues in France and in London and other astute foodie destinations.
At the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square tuck inside this gastronomic boite and order the revived “Thousand Leaves” dessert. See layers of crispy triple-folded puff pastry beautifully balanced by Tahitian vanilla cream and jasmine jelly. The blanket of royal icing covers this pastry fantasy for extra good crunch.
An insider plug: “The dazzling dessert fuses purity, lightness and surprise, easily earning the title of most Instagrammed dish in the two Michelin star restaurant.”
Spaghetti with Ham, Ceps and Black Truffle
Le Cinq, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Ahh, as the Champs Elysees sparkles in its oh so Francais element be sure to veer onto another illustrious avenue, the George V – one of Paris’ exclusive streets revered for its posh shops, fine restaurants, and this spectacular hotel.
This much-loved classic never fails to impress. Considered one of the most sought-after menu items at this three Michelin star restaurant Le Cinq, Executive Chef Christian Le Squer has masterfully created an architecturally beautiful dish where al dente noodles tossed in butter and parmesan have been carefully laid out side by side to form a rectangle shape. For a double yummy flavor, truffled cream has been drizzled over ham, truffles and cep mushrooms.
Insider’s plug: “This savory architectural masterpiece is a ‘must-try before you die’ for Parisians and international travelers alike.”
Haute Chocolate
The Remedy Bar and Flame Restaurant, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose and then there’s this delectable melted chocolate swirling in slow-mo as you take a well-earned sip of Haute Chocolate. Pastry Chef Andrew Schweska has raised the bar of hot chocolate-dom as this take on the favorite winter comfort drink has been touted one of the world’s best hot chocolates by Travel + Leisure magazine. See epic marshmallows drop in the cup at Vail’s beguiling The Remedy Bar or Flame Restaurant.
The secret to this secret sauce: piping hot Valrhona chocolate, heavy cream and steamed whole milk for good measure.
Insider’s plug: “First featured by Forbes more than seven years ago, it remains one of the most popular items on the menu at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail.”
Ho-ho-ho, cheers to that!
See Instagram @FourSeasons every Friday until December 27 for more MasterDishes #FSMasterdish
Booking
You can make your booking at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts website. Room rates are seasonal. At the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square For a standard room double occupancy, rates start from $1,100. At the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris for a standard room double occupancy rates are from $1,100. At the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail for a standard room double occupancy, rates start from $398. You can also check rates at the online booking sites for London, Paris, and Vail.
Photography supplied by the properties.
