GQ_Australia_-_February_2017

FEBRUARY 2017GQ.COM.AU 51

T

TASTE & TRAVEL

RITZ-CARLTON

RELAIS CHRISTINE, PARIS

Paris hotels are usually hit or miss

–eitherpretentiousaffairsthat

play on the city’s romanticism

but deliver on claustrophobia, or

OTT messes funded by oil money.

Not here. Relais Christine is

a16th-century garden oasis that

offers the business traveller all

that’sneeded–freewi-fi,gym,

spa, salon and great transport

links. There’s no restaurant but,

as this is St Germain, use it as

an excuse to explore the many

fantastic dining options in the

area.relais-christine.com

THE VICEROY, CHATEAU

MARMONT AND THE

RITZ-CARLTON, LOS ANGELES

TheCityOfAngelsishome

to Brandon, Brenda, Ponch

and Baker (google it, kids)

plusnearlyeverysliceofthe

small screen ever consumed.

A sprawling metropolis with

bottledtraffic,you'llneeda

well-locatedhoteltohaveany

chance of getting some work

done. And so, when lured by

SiliconBeachandtheenvironsof

Santa Monica, we head for the

coastalcharmsofTheViceroy,

namely for the 24-hour fitness

centre, clean rooms and access

toawatersidejogtoVenice.

Meanwhile, business and

meetings anywhere near West

Hollywoodpointsto(and

we’vesaidthisbefore)Chateau

Marmontbecauseclientswill

cometoyouinthecourtyard.If

you’redowntown–arevamped

spot abuzz with more than just

finance these days – play it

straight with the ever-attentive

staff, well-equipped gym and

rooftoppoolofthe

towering Ritz-Carlton.

viceroyhotelsandresorts.com;

chateaumarmont.com;

ritzcarlton.com

THEPULIHOTELANDSPA,

SHANGHAI

Well-removed from the Bund

and its collection of tourists

and well-worn properties sits

this stunning designer oasis of

calm. And in Shanghai, that’s

adamngoodthing.Maketime

to take a dip in the 25m infinity

pool,whichistiledwithslate

andtealmosaicandfaces

Jing’AnPark;tastetheoysters

at chef Michael Wilson’s

Michelin-starred French

restaurant, Phenix; or sip

Champagne in its forest-like

gardenterrace.Andifthat’snot

enough,eachofthe193rooms

and36suitesboastsaNespresso

machine. Perfect.thepuli.com

RELAIS CHRISTINE

PULI HOTEL AND SPA

TA BLE

FOR ONE

THEBESTEATSINTHECOUNTRY

FOR THE SOLO TRAVELLER.

Paul Carmichael’s

contemporary dishes

have a Caribbean

calypso twist and the

wines are fab, too.

The Star, 80 Pyrmont

St, Pyrmont; seiobo.

momofuku.com

Charcoal

fish head, hot sauce

and busted roti

Firedoor

For nearly 30 years,

charasmatic Ronnie

Di Stasio’s bar has

been the go-to night

out.Grabaspotat

the marble bar and

jump into some of the

best Italian food and

wine Down Under.

31 Fitzroy St, St Kilda;

distasio.com.au

Lamb chops

and Chianti relish

Bar Lourinhá

The little brother of

the acclaimed Esquire.

Our tip? Sit on the

long, concrete bar

and watch as chefs

construct simplified

versions of Ryan

Squires’ homage to

produce du jour. And

if you’re lucky, some

sportwillbeon,too.

145EagleSt,Brisbane;

esquire.net.au

Flathead

hollandaise pickles

Saké

Afterafacelift,the

formerChesserCellar

has a gorgeous three

level heritage space,

iswithinaheartbeat

of the CBD and boasts

amenuthatfocuses

on local cuisine.

29 Chesser St, Adelaide;

thehenryaustin.com.au

Smoked

Coorong beef and

pickled mushrooms

Fish Head

Thereturnof

world-beating Thai

cook David Thompson

wasaboonforPerth.

Descend into the den

of The Old Treasury

for cocktails and food

that balances fiery

inferno and delicately

sweet.Barrack St &

St Georges Terrace;

longchimperth.com

Mashed

turmeric, coconut

and prawn curry

El Publico
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