Author: jezzabellemente

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 13 (Bernama) — The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025 was launched at a ceremony in Raffles Doha, spotlighting 33 of the city’s finest restaurants.

MICHELIN Guide International Director, Gwendal Poullennec expressed excitement over the Guide’s debut in Qatar, stating that their anonymous Inspectors had thoroughly explored the city’s diverse food scene to curate the best options across various price points and cuisines.

According to a statement, two restaurants, Jamavar and IDAM by Alain Ducasse, each earned One MICHELIN Star for their exceptional culinary experiences.

Jamavar, helmed by Chef Debdash Balaga, serves refined Indian dishes, while IDAM, under Chef Fabrice Rosso, blends Alain Ducasse’s signature style with local Qatari flavours.

Meanwhile, four restaurants were awarded the Bib Gourmand for offering excellent quality at great value.

These include Isaan, specialising in Thai cuisine with three open kitchens; Jiwan, known for its modern reinterpretations of Qatari dishes; Argan, offering authentic Moroccan flavours; and Hoppers, focusing on Sri Lankan and South Indian specialities.

Three Special Awards were also given: Sirijan Saelee from Isaan received the Young Chef Award for her leadership and Thai menu; the Service Award went to Paulo Bastos and his team at Morimoto for exceptional hospitality; and Robi Ratan at IDAM was honoured with the Exceptional Cocktails Award for his creative mocktails that enhance the dining experience.

Additionally, three Special Awards were also presented. Sirijan Saelee of Isaan received the Young Chef Award for skilful leadership and a diverse Thai menu; the Service Award went to Paulo Bastos and his team at Morimoto for outstanding hospitality; and Robi Ratan at IDAM was honoured with the Exceptional Cocktails Award for his innovative mocktails that enhance the dining experience.

The launch of the MICHELIN Guide to Doha highlights the city’s growing and dynamic culinary scene.

— BERNAMA

ZHUHAI, China, Dec 13, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

The Huangmaohai Link, a new major cross-sea passage project in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, went into trial operation on December 11. This project, designed as a two-way, six-lane expressway with a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour, runs about 31 kilometers from Pingsha Town in the city of Zhuhai to Doushan Town in the city of Taishan, part of Jiangmen. Upon operation, the journey time between the two cities will be reduced from more than one hour to around 30 minutes.

As the western extension of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the passage began construction in June 2020 and passed its acceptance inspection in November 2024. It encompasses two main bridges, namely the Gaolan Port Bridge and the Huangmaohai Bridge, the world’s longest three-tower cable-stayed highway design bridge. By connecting Hong Kong and Macao through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the passage offers the impressive scenery of slender-waisted towers on the sea and flocks of gracefully flying egrets. Beyond that, it leads tourists to such attractions of Jiangmen as age-old watchtowers and eco-friendly Birds’ Paradise, a wetland park, where they can find their way to local eateries providing seafood.

The administration center of the Huangmaohai Link introduced that the project, overseen by Guangdong Provincial Communication Group and involving 31 organizations and nearly 10,000 workers, navigated formidable challenges, including frequent super typhoons, completing in just six years — a pace that reflects what officials call the “Huangmaohai speed”. Not merely functional, the passage incorporates striking aesthetics. Two main bridges, the Gaolan Port Bridge and the Huangmaohai Bridge, boast five cable-stayed towers, resembling slender waists rising gracefully over the sea. Beyond appearances, the project pioneers seven innovations, including the structure of the curve-faced single-pole reinforced concrete tower and aerodynamic controls for suppressing flutter and vortex-induced vibrations in split-type steel box girders. Billed as the “greenest cross-sea passage”, the project ecologically bypasses protected natural reserves and offers the sight of egrets flying in tandem with the passage, underscoring a vision of natural, humanistic, and cultural beauty.

For residents of Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and overseas Chinese, the passage offers the fastest route to Jiangmen via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Together with other major routes in the Greater Bay Area, such as the Huangpu Bridge, Nansha Bridge, Humen Bridge, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, it will weave a vast network of cross-sea and cross-river connections across the Greater Bay Area. This ambitious network is poised to accelerate the region’s transformation into a world-class transportation hub, fostering deeper integration across industries, technology, culture, and tourism between the Greater Bay Area and western Guangdong.

Source: The Administration Center of the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) — Hakuba Ryujin Onsen in Hakuba Village, Nagano, operated by Abest Corporation headquartered in Kobe City, Hyogo, is set to reopen in mid-December this year as “Hakuba Ryujin Onsen RYOKAN SUI”, offering a newly transformed winter experience.

The renovation includes extensive upgrades to the main building’s guest rooms and onsen (hot spa) facilities. Located in the popular international tourist destination of Hakuba Village, the newly rebranded “RYOKAN SUI” offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics and modern comfort, providing an unforgettable stay for guests.

The name change reflects the aim of offering more international visitors the opportunity to experience Japanese culture, beauty, and healing through the concept of “ryokan” (Japanese-style inn), according to a statement.

Additionally, the hotel features the Abest Group’s “SUI Series”, which is inspired by the Edo-period aesthetic of “iki” (stylishness)” and “sui” (elegance), featuring sophisticated designs, high-quality facilities, service that evokes Japan’s traditions, and warm hospitality.

“RYOKAN SUI” will incorporate even deeper “wa” (Japanese elements) and transform into a more refined “wa-modern” accommodation to offer a unique space that blends with the natural beauty of Hakuba Village.

The renovations, based on the “Wa-kon Modern” (Modern Japanese Spirit) concept, integrate Japanese culture and spirit in a contemporary context.

The redesigned reception area and guest rooms boast luxurious high black ceilings with traditional Japanese brocade “Nishiki-weaving” patterns. Spacious rooms, some with loft-type bedrooms and bunk beds, are perfect for families and groups.

The onsen and bedrock bath areas have been revamped with a calming black-based design, and the tatami-matted changing rooms, featuring dragon-inspired lampshades, offer a serene space to relax after a rejuvenating hot spring bath.

— BERNAMA