"From left: Marble-clad walls and tables, and exposed brick evoke a casual-luxe ambience. MARBL’s Roasted Salmon"
MARBL RESTAURANT
Located in the popular nightlife district of King Street West in Toronto, this 3,500sqft restaurant—a popular hangout for celebrities attending the Toronto International Film Festival (think Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning)—serves up contemporary American bistro classics in a natural light-dappled space soaked in a casual fine-dining vibe. Bookend your meal with drinks at the champagne lounge Mademoiselle, and tuck into burgers and meat entrées in the second-level dining room. Leisurely weekends, meanwhile, call for brunch on the patio. A must-order: the MARBL Share Platter (roughly S$507), featuring a 1.4kg tomahawk steak, a lamb rack, sautéed prawns, seared scallops and vegetables. Visit marbltoronto.com.
"The rainforest aesthetic makes Amazonico one of the most Instagrammable restaurants around"
"Fancy a Peacock Spritz cocktail at Amazonico?"
AMAZONICO
Arguably the hottest hangouts in Spain and London, the rainforest-themed Amazonico is a hotspot not just thanks to its food—excellent!— but also its lush, vibrant decor that has enthralled the public and glitterati alike (the Beckhams, Cristiano Ronaldo and actress Dianna Agron are a few notable names that have been papped outside its doors). Inspired by the gastronomic heritage of the Amazon, the menu is informed by the Asian and Mediterranean communities in the region, from Peruvian sushi and the freshest raw seafood to grilled meats and fish. Ramping up the chill factor are nightly jazz performances in the main restaurant and electronic DJ mixes in the bar lounge. Visit amazonicorestaurant.com.
From left: NOBU’s dishes marry Japanese and Latin American flavours. Take in expansive city views as you dine at NOBU Barcelona
NOBU
This restaurant empire has more than 30 outposts worldwide, and while its initial claim to fame may be its cool pedigree—Robert De Niro is one of the partners—it is the palate-pleasing modern Peruvian-inspired Japanese cuisine that keeps the crowd going back for more. Signatures such as the Black Cod Yuzu Miso and the Squid *Pasta* With Light Garlic Sauce hit the sweet spot no matter which branch you go to. Make like Bradley Cooper and the Kardashians and head to the Malibu outpost to enjoy the seaside breeze, or take your cue from Jennifer Lopez and Miley Cyrus and hit the glitzy Las Vegas branch. The latest shiny openings also boast views to feast your eyes on: the beachfront restaurant in Los Cabos, Mexico, and the 23rd -floor restaurant in Nobu Hotel Barcelona, Spain. Visit noburestaurants.com.
BY GRACE MA
