There are certain images which immediately make you think of the Maldives, are there not? No matter which Pinterest boards you’ve looked at, one of those expectations has to be the romantic dining on the beach scenario. Soneva Fushi is no stranger to this game, and offer up the picturesque island setting at Down to Earth by Ravi, which we dined at during the last evening of our stay.
Ravi’s offers a selection of international cuisine, and, like the rest of the F&B outlets, focuses on seafood, and other more sustainable practices. While the main section of Ravi’s is covered (where the live cooking stations are based), we took the opportunity to dine al fresco, just as the sun was nearly set. With candlelight, it was a bit difficult to see, but we wouldn’t want to wreck the ambiance, now would we?
After a relatively inedible amuse bouche (a combined effort of two types of fish, neither particularly enjoyable), my favorite dish of the entire trip arrived in the form of tandoori prawns, which were cooked perfectly and wonderfully seasoned. I even managed to share one with Hubs. We both felt like a curry (especially after I had a delicious one at breakfast the previous morning at Mihiree Mithaa), and while mine was unfortunately sweet to the point of inedible, Hubs was kind enough to let me have some of his butter chicken. Although it is technically Hubs’ birthday, a cake which was made for him didn’t manage to catch us until breakfast the next morning, and we felt bad for the waste.
As with the other outlets at Soneva Fushi, I kept waiting to be blown away by the food, but an overall lack of seasoning, limited menu (we both had at least two or three dishes that would make sense and be easy to add), and high prices reinforce my opinion that a trip to Zanzibar or Sri Lanka is an overall better use of vacation funds and days. (P.S. I’m still not over the $20USD hummus at the St. Regis Vommuli.) While I do applaud the more eco-friendly initiatives at Soneva, I’m afraid the food isn’t a selling point for me.
How about you, dear reader? Have you been to an outlet in the Maldives that blew your taste buds away? Was it worth the price? Am I too unrealistic when it comes to dining in this island nation?
A to Za’tar was a guest of Ravi, and Soneva Fushi. Opinions are my own, just ask my husband.
