Whom You Know: Take a Trip: Chef Alain Ducasse’s first Caribbean outpost, miX on the beach, W RETREAT & SPA – VIEQUES ISLAND Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Take a Trip: Chef Alain Ducasse’s first Caribbean outpost, miX on the beach, W RETREAT & SPA – VIEQUES ISLAND Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

There is something new under the sun and Peachy Deegan would like to be the first to tell you about it! Opening in November 2009, W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island (www.whotels.com/vieques) is located eight miles off the Southeast coast of Puerto Rico on the peaceful and untouched island of Vieques. The first W Retreat & Spa in the Caribbean, W Vieques will offer a mix of serenity and natural beauty on a 55-square-mile island, a breathtaking paradise for those seeking a welcome respite from the hustle and relentless rhythms of city life.

W Vieques is also home to renowned Chef Alain Ducasse’s first Caribbean outpost, miX on the beach. At miX on the beach, Chef Ducasse and his executive chef will offer a sophisticated menu, exploring colorful Latino Caribbean flavors with an artful French twist. Ooooh to feature THAT in Tasty Tidbits sounds good to us at Whom You Know! Ducasse’s cooking has always been rooted in the coastal flavors of the Mediterranean, from the Basque country to the French Riviera and on into Italy. Inspired by this passion, the menu at miX will feature light, refreshing dishes that highlight only the finest ingredients from land and sea, expertly prepared and creatively presented.

In addition to miX on the beach, ALAIN DUCASSE Enterprise will also manage the entire beverage & food program for the resort, which includes W Café, Living Room bar, WET bar and terraces, W Welcome Lounge at Vieques airport, in-room dining and all banquet/wedding events. Whom You Know just loves the W!

mix on the beach Chef Alain Ducasse, one of the world’s most decorated chefs and the only chef in the world to own and operate three signature restaurants each honored with three Michelin stars, will offer guests an unparalleled culinary experience with miX on the beach, the signature restaurant of W Vieques. Open for breakfast and dinner, miX on the beach includes both indoor and outdoor dining with impressive ocean views to ensure an unforgettable epicurean experience. The menu will provide guests with a refreshing blend of quality ingredients, rich with the flavors of the island – the tastes of olive oil and sun-drenched produce that one can only find at a coastal destination. miX will also offer a selection of local produce from its own garden, yielding a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables from the familiar to the exotic, including papaya, avocado, cashew fruit, tamarind, starfruit, guava, guanabana, yucca (cassava), yautia, pumpkin squash, pigeon peas and sweet peppers. Diners will enjoy options that are as beautiful as they are flavorful, harmonious visual compositions that showcase the truest, purest island flavors.

Living Room To savor a taste of paradise at night, guests need only visit the lively Living Room. Starting late afternoon, chill vibes and hot beats set the ambiance with a wild selection cocktails and snacks to share. Spilling out into the patio and Fire Pit, barefoot souls (and soles) are invited to enjoy their refreshments on the expanse of gorgeous sugary beaches punctuated by palm trees.

Wet Poolside, guests may dip and sip in a casual atmosphere against the backdrop of two spectacularly dramatic pools, one in-ground and one infinity-edged. Afforded magnificent views of the beach, guests may relax and unwind while sampling delightfully refreshing signature cocktails and irresistible Mediterranean cuisine such as tapas or mezze.

W Café In the morning, W Café offers a selection of hot and cold beverages, fresh juices and pastries. At any time, W Café will also serve light and healthy snacks that are perfect for those with a full itinerary and wish to dine deliciously – even on the run. These quick “take away” meals are packed in gourmet picnic boxes and provide flexibility for guest planning excursions on the island or on the ocean.

W Retreat & Spa – Vieques Island was created by an innovative team of designers. Lead designer, Spanish-born Patricia Urquiola, of Milan based Studio Urquiola, captures the essence of Vieques by embracing the natural beauty of the island and incorporating it into her overall and unexpected design aesthetic of rustic elegance. Other collaborators include well-renowned designer, David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group who consulted on the project; San Juan-based architect, Sierra Cardona Ferrer; and Ft. Lauderdale-based landscape firm, EDSA.

Stay tuned for further coverage on this getaway diamond!

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