- Everyone who has a television knows that Shark Week is coming. The annual Discovery Channel series premieres July 28, and watching even an hour of programming is enough to make you a landlubber forever. (For an even more frightful experience, follow @MaryLeeShark on Twitter to re-live the adventures of Mary Lee, a shark tagged off the coast of Cape Cod in 2012). If you love the sea but are fearful of being turned into shark bait – the chant, “Fish are friends, not food” doesn’t apply in the real world – waterfront dining is the perfect compromise. So, if “everybody out of the water” is your mantra right now, check out these seaside dining destinations:
o Cork: Overlooking the River Weir below, the recently renovated River Club Terrace in Cork, Ireland has been transformed into an urban hideaway, decorated with tropical ferns and hanging pink blossoms made for Instagram.
o St. Barth: Located above the rocky shoreline of the sought-after neighborhood of Pointe Milou (home to the raucous Le Ti Saint Barth and some of the poshest villas on the island), The Christopher has long been a refuge for those in-the-know, as it’s famed for its understated elegance. The refreshed Christo Lounge Restaurant by Chef Nicolas Tissier is situated on the cliff overlooking the Carribbean Sea, featuring a healthy concept menu focusing on organic meats and vegetables. Its sunset lounge Mango Beach Club provides a prime spot to watch the sun go down while drinking a traditional Planteur or Ti Punch, both island favorites.
o Venice: Looking out over the Guidecca Canal, with St. Mark’s Basilica in the distance, Cip’s Club at Belmond Hotel Cipriani is a favorite among guests and locals alike for an aperitivo and traditional Venetian fare. Hotel Cipriani is welcome respite from the crowds in Venice, as guests arrive via the hotel’s private dock before weaving through the property’s gardens and onto the floating terrace. Make sure to have a Bellini (or two) – Venice’s signature cocktail was invented by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Belmond Hotel Cipriani, in 1948. For a fine-dining affair, the canal-side Michelin-starred Oro Restaurant offers just 41 seats and inventive Italian cuisine with locally sourced ingredients from the hotel’s own farm and nearby islands.
o Nantucket: Topper’s, the restaurant at The Wauwinet on Nantucket, is best reached by boat. If you book brunch or dinner at the hotel, visitors can take the complimentary hour boat ride across the bay, departing from the White Elephant.
o Jamaica: GoldenEye’s Gazebo is a sight to behold. Built in an airy treehouse style, the restaurant overlooks Low Cay Beach and the Lagoon. Serving up local favorites like Butter Lion Fish, the restaurant also sources produce from the hotel’s 2,500-acre farm, Pantrepant, which is located in the heart of Jamaica.
o Anguilla: Guests can swim to breakfast at Belmond Cap Juluca from their beachfront suite directly over to the waterfront eatery Cip’s by Cipriani, where they will be met at the water’s edge with a fresh robe and fruit juice in hand.
o Mexico: Viceroy Riviera Maya allows guests to ‘dine anywhere, anytime’ – from the poolside to the ocean pier – with a personalized menu to suit their occasion, tastes, and setting.