Best Breakfast in the Maldives!

Breakfast à la Maldivienne is located near the Villingilli ferry terminal. The Breakfast à la Maldivienne stand out amongst the squeezed together teashops in this part of town.

Teashops like most hawker places are usually famous for one or two special dishes or drinks that go together so well its legendary. As the name suggests the Breakfast à la Maldivienne is fast becoming to be known as one of the best places that serves breakfast in the Maldives. The Breakfast à la Maldivienne hides within a canopy of leaves and is quite hard to locate if you are not farmiliar with the area or would not look hard enough.The Breakfast à la Maldivienne is particularly one with palm trees and adored with powder white sand. Once inside a surprisingly cherry red interior greets its customers even the tables and fans are red.

Breakfast à la Maldivienne at 9am is when the people get all piling. As we sat on out table outside under the shade of the palm trees, we see people fresh off start their mornings here.

We opt for a serving of flat bread with grated coconut called Huni roshi and Tuna and grated coconut called Mashuni. The service and the way the food arrives are your table is definitely noteworthy. One can sense that a system has been developed by a skilled manager of sorts. The Breakfast à la Maldivienne huni roshi is top notch and served hot of the pan. It was crispy and sweet just as it should be a delightful coconut dish. The mashuni however is perfect with all the ingredients fusing together to make an impression on your palate, that says this is the flavor of Maldivian cuisine and it is heavenly.

The way the dishes are prepared and served are very straightforward and no room for fancy cut outs.

I fancied the Kurumba which is coconut juice from young coconuts, served chilled with shavings of coconut meat that has the consistency of syrup. Perfect drink for a sunny day.

The small cafe is well served by the four highly efficient waiters wearing white shirts and black pants. Tip them well you’ll be surprised on how quickly they serve and clean up.

Now for some sweets and coffee. The waiter serves small portions of hedika which are sweets and different kinds of rice cakes. Alas the strong delightful aroma of the coffee is too much to resist. The Italian Lavazza coffee was very impressive and was frothy and full flavored.

It is no surprise and we now understand why people swarm for breakfast or more like brunch at the Breakfast à la Maldivienne and the other neighboring stalls. The food is just delightful and is a perfect way to start your day. I’m pretty sure I’ll be trying out the other teashops next time and see what surprises are in store.

A new and improved Seagull Cafe awaits those who want to taste its famous gelato!

One of the most popular outdoor cafes in the Male the Seagull Cafe makes its own homemade Italian ice cream!

Now with better interiors and ambiance, new and old patrons of the Seagull Cafe have much to rejoice. One of the most popular outdoor cafes in the Male is now bigger and better so to speak.

Upon arriving at the Seagull Cafe we chose to be seated at the sunlit upper deck, we saw the upper deck and found it quite inviting. Just around the Seagull Cafe is a great big Jambolan tree wherein the restaurant’s roof has deliberately built in such a way not to harm or occlude the tree’s branches.

Of course the feel of “resort cafe” is instant once inside the Seagull Cafe. With rustic and mood lighting along with the tone of wood and paintings of island life along the walls of the Seagull Cafe make it a cozy place to be in. The folks could not be more diverse as we could see all ages prancing around the cafe.

On our tables we were handed with two menus, one with the food and drinks and one with for the ice cream. There is great big list of drinks as most cafe’s should sport. The hazelnut milkshake in particular which I tried was heavenly, smooth creamy and nutty. Tropical fruit smoothies are also a must try, they are served with milk, yogurt and finely crushed ice that wont give your utensils a hard time.

The food much to our amazement arrives really fast. The honey mustard chicken offers a delightful zing and is a must try. Fries were great and so were the vegetable sidings. A Thai delicacy is up next a cuttlefish salad, fried cuttlefish served with Thai chilies and other spices to complete a harmonious hot and sour tangy lime flavor it was such a delight! and so was the salmon cooked to perfection possible the best salmon in the Male’ the salmon with some freshly squeezed lime juice brings about a heavenly fusion of flavor that explodes in your mouth. The experience is also heighten with nice noodles, chili sauce and bok choy.

But the highlight of the Seagull Cafe is and will always be its ice cream. It was one packed flavorsome chocolate ice cream for me. It really does own the championship belt for having the best ice cream in the Male’

Seagull Café  House is located at Fareedhee Magu. It’s open from 9am to 12am except on Fridays, when it is open from 4pm to 12am.

Great view! But what about the food?

The Farivalhu Restaurant is located within the cluster of establishments and buildings at the Central Hotel at Rahdhebai Magu.

The Farivalhu is nestled at the huge terrace of the hotel which is usually a function room for receptions and events. The smoking area, like it or not has the best view in the restaurant and it is where we have opted to be seated. The smoking area is elevated and is able to seat up to 18 people.

Upon attending at the Farivalhu’s menu we take our time sweeping our eyes through almost 300 entries involving Indian, Italian, Chinese and vegetarian cuisine. Eventually choices have been met and expectations were set.

First to arrive as usual are our drinks which were garnished in such a way to be really enticing. Unfortunately the taste did not match the garnishing, The mango juice for example was a sour watery paste that obviously meant not so fresh fruit.

The main course arrived fish steak in pepper sauce along with, chicken Parmesan and prawn macaroni in tomato sauce. The dishes ooze with mediocrity and disappointment, the french fries served with the fish steak were soggy and suggest that they have been reheated. A shred of lettuce and beetroot is ever so present as a garnish on all the dished, It is unclear but then maybe it is the symbol of the Farivalhu or who knows? Because even the green salad was not done right, the dressing was overpowering and poorly served. Then we altogether figured out and was not a wee bit surprised that the Parmesan chicken was overcooked because it was already chewy and gummy. Adding insult to culinary injury is the fish, which looked fresh but it was treacherous. It was in every way a travesty when you serve stale fish when the restaurant was a few minutes away from fresh fish. The pepper sauce was a nice revelation though but that’s about it, the sauce was the only thing noteworthy. The macaroni with prawns was served not with macaroni but with penne. I really think there was a monkey loose at the kitchen…because if not overcooked dished were undercooked it was like the restaurant was playing a practical joke. Even the coffee was burnt and bitter.

With all the disappointments we have consumed at the Farivalhu, Atleast we can point out the great staff who served great care and art. Disheartening as it may be the food at the Farivalhu put its great view and scenery to waste.

Dine like you were in Paris at the Azur restaurant!

Located at the 15th floor of the Holiday Inn Hotel Maldives, The Azur restaurant provides a great view of the nearby beautiful islands. Dine with the azure blue skyline of the Maldives.

The Azur restaurant is a fusion restaurant that uses Japanese flavors and incorporates it with French and Maldivian cuisine. The restaurant in addition to the great big spectacular view of the neighboring islands has a infinity pool where diners can experience a more formal approach in dining.

We took our seats near the infinity pool and it is there where were greeted by the charming waitress who with a big smile gave us the menu which was surprised us to say the least. The menu has a total of about 20 items it was very slim but I assumed at once that the menu was made by a excellent chef that managed to create a unique fusion of culinary greatness.

The appetizers upon gazing again at the splendid menu was more on the Japanese side with items involving tofu, tuna, wasabi, shitake mushrooms, noodles and duck.

Of course refreshments were first to arrive, kick starting our gastronomic quest at the Azur. The strawberry and banana smoothie was really good, thick and refreshing!

Seared scallops as appetizers which were delightful and a serving of Kushiyaki beef and sesame tuna were served on hotplates which was not only yummy but also visual treat. The tuna served with nori cooked medium well was very succulent and tasted very fresh. The flavor of the shitake mushrooms and the vegetables heightened the experience even more. Colorful in presentation with unforgettable great taste. The beef was cooked to perfection and was marvelous, and was obviously a product of precise culinary skills. Apple pickles add a great contrast to the great beefy flavor of the steak.

If is quite expected that after such a gastronomic experience one would immediately think about dessert. Unfortunately the Azur does not have one, It probably chose to be purist on this end bringing together only the best the Maldives could offer. We can just speculate at this point was nonetheless, The dining experience at the Azur is a must for anyone prancing along the Maldives.

Located beside the Bank of Maldives at Lotus Golhi. The Aioli is open from 9:30am till Midnight.

Aioli is a what they call a french kind of sauce that is oil that is held together by other sauces to create a unique texture. It is usually a mainstay at fine dining cuisines.

As we enter the Aioli restaurant at lunch time, we are greeted by huge mango trees and a few gossiping folks that are quite fond of the place. After a good look at the Aioli restaurant one cannot resist to stare at the large desert counter at the end of the restaurant filled with yummy looking sweets, macaroons and brownies. Our heads focused on that table and swooned as we headed up the winding stairs to our tables.

Those folks really enjoy the sun I said to myself as I saw a handful of patrons outside the balcony under the midday sun. It does not get more tropical than that, The large trees swaying with the wind keeps the air breezy and cool. Still we thought that a glass paneled air conditioned room big enough for 40 people was still a good idea.

Upon gazing on the menu we realized that despite its name Aioli is not a Italian restaurant. Its menu items is composed of a diverse variety of cuisine from mexican fajitas, Thai delicacies, vegetarian items, country style chicken and pasta, also country style chicken curry which is a local specialty but highlighted amongst them all is the exquisite looking Black Angus rump steak. And then comes the dessert page, which are all detailed out in preparation which gives the customer the guts to expand and try new things should the terminologies appeal to them. The menus also explain different degrees on how to use heat.

A quick note regarding the waitresses which where very smart and charming upholding black uniforms that blend well with the fine dining ambiance.

The cool drinks are amazing and they arrive quickly. The watermelon and home made lemonade were quite a treat on a hot sunny afternoon. So did the smooth papaya juice.

The lamb chops were served with zucchini and a colorful array of potatoes, red and green bell peppers. We did notice that the orange sauce attributed moisture to the dry chops. The explanation on the menu did no good here I suppose maybe it should be put somewhere inside the kitchen and not the menu.

Thai chicken was cooked rather well and was tasty and succulent but I do not know about the sidings it came with like the rice and pak choy leaves cooked in garlic. But all in all it was pleasant.

For dessert we decided to go for the classic creme brulee, it came in a Italian panna cotta with chocolate sauce and a green cherry. Both desserts looked delicious and they were upon tasting them. I could note a few faults but I think I will let it slide because the experience was truly unique and deserving for any tourist that may come to wander at the Aioli restaurant.

The Best Indian Food In Town! or so they say

In this city where there is clearly a lack of specialty restaurants for famous cuisine around the world. The restaurant known as the Poppadums is alluring and quite unique.

The Poppadums‘ tables are set out in a “L” shaped fashion which helps in making the place, even though small from being cramped and stuffy.

Unexpectedly there was only few people at the Poppadums during lunch time, but this small lot really looks like its enjoying the food. The menu of Poppadums is typically one you would find on most Indian restaurants. But in a way this restaurants gives away something more of a promising feel that typical food will not taste typical. Let us find out shall we?

With curiosity and excitement we settled for a feast that includes both the old and new fusion Indian delicacies. First on the table was a rather common drink, called a mango lassi which was quite refreshing on a very hot day and it is a tropical island. The mango lassi unfortunately was a little bit on the green mango side a bit sour and no too sweet. Although this fault can easily slide away because the season obviously dictates that ripe mangoes are somewhat hard to find.

For the main meal there are servings of naan bread, chicken biriyani and masala and raita.

The naan bread is the staple in Indian cuisine it is made from unleavened bread and cooked in a rather odd jar like stove, which requires a lot of skill to operate. Make sure you get to see how naan is cooked and made when you get a chance if reflects hundreds of years of Indian culture that defies the ages. The naan was amazing and was served on silver dishes.

Biryani is well as you can expect the taste was typically Indian and it fails to inspire new sensations on our palate. The presentation was also just as how you would expect friend rice with a lot of herbs would look like. But it is within suspicion that everything was not cooked to fuse flavors properly. Poor indeed.

The raita which the Poppadums is known for this side of town is good, but it does not really make up for the fault in the biryani and the naan, which were really important in enjoying Indian cuisine.

We believe that we may just have been on a case of bad timing or was just served a bad batch. Either way we shall see when be get back and hopefully next time the food will be better.

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Rihiveli Maldives Resort Review

The Rihiveli Maldives Resort is an exceptional holiday destination, located on a private island, in the South Atoll of the Maldives.  The Rihiveli Maldives island resort is surrounded by spectacular turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches and swaying palm trees.  This is a superb place to come if you are looking to escape from the world, rekindle romances and relax.  Nevertheless, don’t think that your time at Rihiveli Maldives will be boring, because there are so many activities here, it is up to you how little or how much you do each day.

Rihiveli Resort Island in the Maldives

Rihiveli Maldives Resort Description

Rihiveli Maldives is located 47 miles from the Male international airport, and is thus accessible by a one-hour speedboat ride.  The island is home to 48 bungalows of varying styles and sizes, catering to a variety of clientele and budgets.  The resort has an unusual ‘No News, No Shoes’ policy, which encourages guests to relax in an environment unsullied by modern-day stresses. Stripped of external trappings and superficiality, guests are invited to go back to the basics – to the core of communal living.  That is the philosophy of the Rihiveli Maldives Resort.

Rihiveli Maldives Resort is ideal for:

• Couples
• Watersports Enthusiasts
• Nature Lovers

Rihiveli Maldives Resort Room Types:

There are 48 beach bungalows in total at the Rihiveli Resort in the Maldives, divided into the following categories:

• Double/Twin Bungalow
• Triple Bungalow
• Deluxe Bungalow
• Family Bungalow
• Deluxe Villa
  

  Rihiveli Restaurant

Rihiveli Maldives Resort Room Facilities:

• Ceiling fans
• En-suite bathroom, with indoor and outdoor showers
• Terrace
• Garden with hammock
• Two sun beds and beach umbrella

Rihiveli Maldives Resort Facilities:

• All meals are included in the full-board package at the over-water restaurant
• Fun Bar
• Internet Access
• Safety Deposit Box
• Telephone and fax
• Wake-up call (essential if you don’t wish to miss your early morning dive trips!)
• Free laundry (for people travelling to Male as an extension from another destination eg. Sri Lanka)
• Free Hair dryer available at the Front Desk
• Library
• Boutique
• Entertainment Room
  

  Rihiveli Beach

Rihiveli Maldives Resort Activities:

• Scuba Diving
• Kayaking
• Catamaran sailing
• Windsurfing
• Dhoni sailing
• Water skiing/mono skiing
• Wakeboarding
• Knee-boarding
• Snorkelling
• Island Visits
• Overnight Scuba Diving Safaris
• Fishing

Rihiveli Maldives Resort Contact Information:

Telephone: + (960) – 6643731/6641994
Web: www.rihiveli-maldives.com

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Summer Island Village Review

The Summer Island village is based on the tri-angular shaped island of Ziyaaraifushi in the outer rim of the North Male’ Atoll which is about 22 miles from the Male’ airport and only 10 minutes away by plane or 90 minutes by boat. Either way guests can expect spactacular views of the island.

Summer Island Village in the Maldives

Summer Island Village Resort is ideal for:

• Couples
• Families

Summer Island Village Resort Room Types:

• Standard Rooms
• Water Villas
  

  Summer Island Village Water Villa

Summer Island Village Resort Room Facilities:

• Fan
• Hot/cold water
• Air-conditioning
• Hair dryer
• Sea view
• Telephone
• Mini safe
• Hair dryer
• Mini fridge
• Satellite TV

Summer Island Village Resort Facilities:

• Serena Spa
• Dive Centre
• Restaurant
• Bar
  

  Summer Island Village Beach

Summer Island Village Resort Activities:

• Volleyball
• Badminton
• Darts
• Table tennis
• Scuba Diving
• Windsurfing
• Catamaran Sailing
• Kayaking
• Sunset Sailing
• Island Hopping
• Shopping Trips to Male
• Night Fishing
• Snorkeling
  

Summer Island Village Resort Contact Information:

Telephone:+960-6641949
Web: SummerIslandVillage.com
Email: reservations@summerislandvillage.com.mv

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Lily Beach Resort Review

White secluded beaches, cool blue waters is what best describes this island paradise lovingly called the Lily Beach Resort. A mere 25 minutes via seaplane from the Male International Airport will take you to this paradise island in the Huvahendhoo, aerial views of the Indian Ocean are like masterful architecture of natural beauty, but once you set foot on this tropical paradise, a world of dreams and infinite possibilities open up as you start your holiday vacation at Lily Beach Resort.

Lily Beach Resort Bar

Lily Beach Resort is ideal for:

• Couples
• Families
• Groups

Lily Beach Resort Room Types:

• Sunset Water Suite
• Deluxe Water Villa
• Lagoon Villa
• Beach Villa
• Beach Family Villa

Beach at Lily Beach Resort

Lily Beach Resort Room Facilities:

Living accommodations at Lily Beach Resort are divided into two types, suites and villas.  Understandably the pride of the resort are the grand water suites that give the feeling of ultimate luxury thanks to the majestic views of the ocean, a private deck, private steps to the lagoon, 4 poster king size beds, oversized day beds, infinity pool, satellite TV with a 52” flat screen TV, air conditioning and a ceiling fan.

Villas have private direct access to the lagoon, a fantastic view of the lagoon, a combination of natural wood and white marble flooring, day beds for soaking up the sun, vibrant color schemes that bring the outside in, for the family that vacation together Beach Family Villas are also available.

Lily Beach Resort Facilities:

• 2 Restaurants
• Gym
• Tennis Courts
• Water Sports Centre
• Kid’s Club
• 2 Swimming Pools
• Disco

Lily Beach Resort Island

Lily Beach Resort Activities:

• Canoeing
• Windsurfing
• Wake Boarding
• Island Hopping Excursions
• Sports Fishing
• Night Fishing

Lily Beach Resort Contact Information:

For more information about the Lily Beach Resort, go to www.lilybeachmaldives.com or email info@lilybeachmaldives.com.

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Kuramathi Maldives Review

Nestled in the Ari Atoll in the Maldives this tropical paradise surrounded by pristine blue waters and white sandy beaches can be reached by a 15 min seaplane ride from Male International Airport, once you set foot on Kuramathi Maldives, warm smiles and open arms will welcome you as you start your dream as our friendly staff usher you into the luxurious world that is the Kuramathi Maldives.

Kuramathi Maldives Jetty

Kuramathi Maldives Resort is ideal for:

• Couples
• Individuals seeking an exotic escape

Kuramathi Maldives Resort Room Types:

• Deluxe Rooms
• Superior Rooms
• Standard Rooms

Kuramathi Maldives Resort Room Facilities:

A total of 151 rooms were built at Kuramathi Maldives to accommodate the growing number of tourists that come to the Maldives, rooms types are the deluxe, superior and standard rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, a mini-fridge, a balcony/terrace with lounge chairs so you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the beach and lagoon, IDD telephone and an in room safe. The Standard room has a shower while the Superior room has an additional bath, an open shower and bath is a unique feature in the Deluxe room.

Kurumba Maldives Sundeck

Kuramathi Maldives Resort Facilities:

Each of the 4 restaurants at Kuramathi Maldives offer a different kind of dining experience, at the Indian Restaurant flavors from the west meet the tandoor grills of the east, its a match made in culinary heaven, situated just a few feet away from the shore, the Island Barbeque lets you enjoy dinner while breathing in the ocean breeze and looking into the blue yonder of the ocean, hidden among palm trees and lush vegetation this quaint Thai Restaurant gives you a taste of authentic dishes with well crafted Thai inspired furniture, built over the edge of the shore, La Laguna Grill gives you an arresting view of the ocean with its afternoon shades of blue while enjoying prime cuts of meat and seafood from below you grilled to perfection right in front of you.

Kurumba Island Resort in the Maldives

Kuramathi Maldives Resort Activities:

Water and land activities await you at Kuramathi Maldives, no vacation will be complete without getting wet in the pristine blue waters that surround this island, catamaran rides, wind surfing, glass bottom canoe rides, banana boat ride and sunset cruises are some of the activities you can do on the water, but for a closer look into the world below, take up snorkeling or diving, our diving center will be glad to plan diving or snorkeling excursions for you, visit coral reefs full of color,  visit a wreck site for some treasure hunting, whatever it is you are looking on or under the water we have in here in the Kuramathi Maldives. At the  Kuramathi spa have your massage at the edge of a sundeck with turquoise waters below you, open air sections let you breath in the breeze while being rejuvenated with the wide array of massages and treatments we have at the spa. Let us make your holiday dreams come true.

Kuramathi Maldives Resort Contact Information:

For more information about Kuramathi Maldives please visit the website at www.kuramathi.com.mv email village@kuramathi.com.mv.