Pastry party: Sofitel goes even more French

Sofitel hotels always come with a touch of French style and joie de vivre. 

Sofitel has this week announced the launch of its Fruit Kiss offering, the second chapter of its popular La Haute Croissanterie series. 

This year the limited-edition collection of 10 hand-crafted croissants for breakfast will be fruit driven. 

For guests in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, the collection will be available across 10 Sofitel properties until the end of July.

Each of the 10 creations - among them a Raspberry Kiss with basil-infused jam and Greek yogurt - are created as edible artworks. 

Other flavours will include a Cherry Kiss, and a Fig Kiss finished with mascarpone and gold leaf. 

“Creating the Fruit Kiss collection allowed us to bring a new sense of freshness, lightness and indulgence to the guest experience, by celebrating fruit at its peak," says Anne-Cecile Degenne, corporate executive chef of Sofitel and Sofitel Legend. 

"With this collection, we wanted each croissant to highlight the true taste of fruit, focusing on clean, natural flavours, balanced textures, and a golden, crisp pastry that supports rather than overpowers the product, resulting in a creation that is both precise and true to its ingredients."

The collection will span properties from Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel London St James to Sofitel Dubai The Palm and Sofitel Paris Le Scribe Opéra. 

Australia-Pacific hotels include Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, Sofitel Brisbane Central, Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, Sofitel Adelaide, 

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa, Sofitel Wellington and Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa. 

* Sofitel is part of Accor with over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries. 

How to combine Auckland city chic with Waiheke Island spirits

Fancy sampling a two-day experience that showcases some of the best of Auckland?

voco Auckland City Centre, an urban hotel in the heart of New Zealand's biggest city, recently launched its 'Sip, Stay & Sail' Package, a two-night experience that combines city style with the artisan flavours of lovely Waiheke Island.

The package includes ferry and bus transfers, world-class distillery dining, and gin tastings including the new and exclusive Bar Albert Gin, crafted in partnership with Waiheke Distilling Co.

Voco Auckland City Centre’s Sip, Stay & Sail package includes: 

# Two nights of contemporary comfort at voco Auckland City Centre.
# Return reserve ferry transfers with Fullers360 to Waiheke Island.
# Eastern Explorer Lunch Package for two at Waiheke Distilling Co., including coach/bus transport and culinary experience featuring a signature gin tasting board, choice of G&T or vodka soda welcome drink, starter, shared Napoli-style pizza, seasonal salad, and a signature cocktail.
# $50 Bar Albert voucher to enjoy two Bar Albert x Waiheke Distilling signature cocktails at the hotel's vaunted rooftop destination.
# Breakfast for two at the hotel’s Mozzarella & Co. trattoria both mornings.

The package is available Wednesday through Sunday until March 31 with a minimum two-night stay required.

The experience is priced from $599. Rooms are subject to availability and blackout dates apply.

For bookings and more information, visit auckland.vocohotels.com.

A breakfast for every taste

Breakfast is a thing of beauty at The Damai resort, deep in the hills of northern Bali overlooking the beaches of Lovina. 

You can choose between a traditional Balinese breakfast, a healthy “Green” breakfast, an American breakfast or a la carte choices. 

Many of the ingredients, including the breads, jams, and many of the fruits are sourced from the 14-villa boutique hotel’s nearby farm. 

Whatever your decision your meal starts with a small glass of jamu - the local health elixir. The ingredients change on a daily basis. As does the composition of the fruit plate.

The views are spectacular. The food equally so.

A full resort review will follow in a few days but here are some breakfast dish highlights to whet your appetite. 

Check out http://www.thedamai.com/ 

# Hosted

The luxury breakfast that will set you back almost $120

Looking for a luxury breakfast in Paris? 

The Four Seasons Hotel George V has just launched a new signature breakfast at its Michelin-starred Le Cinq restaurant.

The only problem is that feasting on dishes crafted by head baker Guillaume Cabrol and executive pastry chef Michael Bartocetti is priced at €76 (that's around $117 in Australian dollars) - so a big step up from egg and chips.

The five-star hotel promises that the signature breakfast is "a memorable gastronomic experience".

The spread features "Parisian delights along with specialities from several French regions", which guests enjoy while seated on Louis XVI medallion chairs adorned with gold leaf.

Breakfast begins with a sweet treat followed by a selection of homemade breads and pastries, including pains au chocolat and traditional French baguettes.

Think dishes like apple turnovers, cruffins and dulce de leche.

Your breakfast also features chocolate from a renowned artisan producer.

Then come the George V’s signature eggs. Soft boiled egg mousseline with caviar, eggs royale and blue lobster omelette are among the offerings, along with egg cocotte with foie gras and black truffle.

Available every day from 7-11am Le Cinq’s Signature Breakfast includes freshly pressed juice, and a hot beverage.

Here is the menu, should you be tempted: https://www.fourseasons.com/paris/dining/menus/le-cinq-signature-breakfast-menu/

Some bottomless breakfast fun in the Yarra Valley

Fancy a weekend trip to the Yarra Valley to enjoy a bottomless bubbly breakfast?

Rochford Wines’ Italian restaurant, Il Vigneto, has just launched Bottomless Breakie.

The offering, weighing in at $35 per person, includes a basket of pastries (to share between two), a choice of main course, and bottomless bubbles, mimosas, coffee, tea, and juices!



Among the breakfast pizza dishes are: San Marzano tomato, ricotta, blistered tomato, rosemary pesto, rocket; pork and fennel sausage, provolone, hash brown, egg and prosciutto; and smoked salmon, ricotta, rocket and hollandaise.

 
The menu can be adapted to suit dietary needs.

The funs starts from 9am every Saturday and 10am every Sunday with bookings essential. Book here (minimum two adults): https://www.rochfordwines.com.au/BookingForm.aspx?PID=65