Also open to non-residents, new Asian Fusion restaurant Ai Kisu at LUX* Grand Baie has Warayaki straw fire cooking, sushi and a soy sauce sommelier
cuisine FUSION
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n showcasing its street food to gastronomy, Masterchef 2020 put this small island firmly on the map for foodies. Tasty and varied, Mauritian cuisine is a fusion of flavours from four continents.
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CUISINE
Islanders mix and match when it comes to food, with fried noodles, biryanis, faratas and pain au chocolat all popular. The Masterchef contestants learned to make the spicy wrap dholl puri (the nation's favourite street food) and gato pima (chilli cakes) – which Mauritian schoolchildren have in a baguette for breakfast. Both are found at hole-inthe-wall eateries, beachside stalls and markets islandwide. For authentic, family-rooted menus, seek out traditional restaurants that give a true taste of the island in humble surrounds. Local delicacies are palm heart with smoked marlin, crevettes – a minuscule river shrimp (pricier than lobster) – and vension and wild boar, found at gourmet restaurants and plantation homes.
FOOD TOURS
Take a food tour with Taste Buddies who weave in tales and fun facts, while tickling your taste buds. Most popular is their street food tour of the capital, Port Louis. Newer regional tours include Mahébourg village which includes a boat trip along the River Chaux for lunch at Nativ Lodge, while a Grand Baie homemade food tour offers a tasting platter and ‘grandmas’s dessert’ washed down with a rum arrangé. The southern ‘Tea Route’ to Bois Chéri tea plantation includes a tasting of Mauritian tea, flavoured with vanilla to coconut, and lunch at Saint Aubin, while Chamarel is famed for its Table d’Hotes. A new immersive experience at L’Aventure du Sucre features a museum visit,
cane cutting in the sugar fields and crushing it, making rum cocktails and tasting speciality sugars, and a gourmet lunch at Le Fangourin. For a unique island offering, go lychee wine tasting at Takamaka Boutique Winery at Plaine Champagne. Cooking classes at island hotels help guests master typical Mauritian dishes such as cari poule (chicken curry) or octopus rougaille (a spicy tomato sauce). For an authentic island experience, My Moris’ cooking class with Rosemonde includes a visit to the local market, before grinding fresh spices on a granite ‘curry rock’ for lunch in a Mauritian Creole home. DMC's can arrange tours to local families such as to the Bhowany family home in Mon Desir village, where visitors can learn to prepare gajaks (snacks) and
mauritiusnow.com
06/05/2022 07:34
