5.8 Undersea Restaurant: a culinary and visual experience in the depths of the Indian Ocean
5.8 meters under the waters of the Indian Ocean we found the restaurant with the most impressive spectacle you can imagine: the seabed.
** 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, ** located at the Hurawalhi Island Resort, in the Maldives, is the world's largest underwater restaurant and its views mean that, even on an empty stomach, we cannot stop looking around us.
"The marine fauna that inhabits these waters is impressive and very varied. There are many species of fish such as parrot fish, snappers, trigger fish, banner fish, groupers… And, of course, very special guests such as turtles, mantas and eagle rays”, says Karina Kyrylenko, from Hurawalhi Island Resort, to Traveler.es
Hurawalhi: paradise within paradise
A DINNER WITH VIEWS TO THE SEA BOTTOM
An intimate space (because it has ten tables), but at the same time dedicated to a most interesting public: the bottom of the sea.
You are not looking at an aquarium, This time it is you who is inside the aquarium observing the rest of the ocean from your glass box.
A ladder at the end of the pier It leads us inside 5.8 (which takes its name from the depth at which it is located).
As soon as you enter a coral landscape It welcomes us along the tubular structure, offering privileged views of the marine flora and fauna –although we really have serious doubts about who is looking at whom–.
More than a hundred species of fish around you
IN FIGURES
The space in question weighs 400 tons and its surface is about 90 square meters. were necessary 10 months and a team of 13 engineers to complete the structure.
The vaulted ceiling and walls feature **5-inch-thick (nearly 13 centimeters) glass** made in Japan and assembled in New Zealand.
The complete structure was shipped to Maldives within three weeks where It was submerged on eight pillars buried 24 meters deep.
The resort's divers clean the underwater restaurant twice a day and it is estimated that it will remain submerged for at least 20 years before it needs to be returned to the surface for overhaul.
Don't forget to take off your shoes when you enter!
LOOK AT THE PLATE FROM TIME TO TIME!
It is impossible not to be mesmerized by the magic of the ocean, but don't forget to sink your teeth into the delicacies on the table, work of the german chef Bjoern van den Oever.
“The dinner menu (at 6:30 p.m.) consists of seven plates and the price is 280 dollars (about 250 euros). If you prefer to go to eat, there are two shifts with a five-course menu, at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.”, Karina Kyrylenko tells us.
Although the menus are changing depending on the season and the culinary inspiration of the chef, let's take a look at the dinner they offer right now.
the taste of the ocean
To get started, tuna tartar with wakame, wasabi sorbet and avocado puree followed by a scallop ceviche with seafood soup.
We continue with smoked lobster and sea urchin mousse with cognac emulsion, squid ink and beluga caviar. Next, mullet with candied lemon, fennel, vanilla and bean puree.
We entered the main courses savoring a poached lobster in beurre blanc emulsion, beet ravioli and cucumber foam, yuzu and galangal with truffle caviar.
In the meat section, a tasty wagyu steak with truffle. For dessert, mango cheesecake on a floor of cocoa biscuits, coconut ice cream and forest fruits.
Hurawalhi Island Resort's sommelier handles the came , which reaches the restaurant via an elevator, as does the food.
Indeed, "You can also ask for a vegetarian menu," says Karina.
The dress code? “Elegant cause”, but You have to leave your shoes at the entrance!
You don't have to be staying at the Hurawalhi Island Resort to visit the restaurant, but you do need to be older than 15 years.
The villas of Hurawalhi Island Resort: pure luxury by the sea
HURAWALHI ISLAND RESORT: PARADISE WITHIN PARADISE
Located in a private coral island north of Lhaviyani Atoll (Maldives) , Hurawalhi Island Resort is literally PARADISE.
The seaplane ride from Male International Airport already takes your breath away (and you have not yet stepped on or submerged in the marine treasure it houses) .
The resort is made up of 90 luxury villas for adults only and offers a multitude of alternative activities (which are not exclusive) to lying on its white sand beaches and forgetting about the world.
Water sports, led by diving and snorkelling, They are one of the attractions of the Maldives.
You can also choose to let yourself be pampered at the spa, sign up for excursions or visit the Marine Biology Center.
In addition to the 5.8 Undersea restaurant, the gastronomic offer includes Kashibo Restaurant & Bar (with dishes inspired by Asian street food), Cannelli (with showcooking) , champagne pavilion (to whose sunsets dolphins and manta rays approach) and Coconut Bar (with delicious cocktails by the sea) .
Celebrities like Anna dello Russo or Chiara Ferragni have already immersed themselves in 5.8.Undersea. Does he make a whim at the bottom of the sea?