The best kind of dining experience is that which engages all the senses. So imagine, if you will, your own private pontoon, perched over a lily-pad strewn lagoon under a canopy of ancient vines in the Daintree Rainforest, where an intimate six-course degustation awaits.
As dusk falls and the air cools, the soundtrack of the rainforest amplifies, buoyed by the waning crescendo of cicadas. This is your own private sitting in Mother Nature’s dining room – where ambient lighting transports you deeper into this spiritual place and curious frogs hop by your feet.
Available to only two couples per night on separate pontoons, the bespoke ‘Dining in the Rainforest’ degustation at Daintree Ecolodge is destination dining with a difference.
“It’s completely off menu,” says General Manager and Julaymba Restaurant & Bar Head Chef, James Egan. “ We use what’s freshest and what’s most in season to create a unique dining experience, tailoring it to the guests’ personal preferences.
“If there’s something they might like to try, we will do our best to make it happen.”
Having been sent a form to personalise your stay prior to checking in, the team knows your likes, dislikes, and any dietary requirements and allergies, and treat each degustation as a creative challenge.
Your exclusive degustation menu is prepared from scratch in response to these preferences, showcasing the best local and native ingredients available in North Queensland – say, trevally or large mouth nannygai caught by local fishermen, betel leaf grown on the property, fresh tropical fruits, and native sea greens foraged that morning.
Over six perfectly executed courses you’ll transcend vegetarian, sustainably-caught seafood and heavier/richer dishes (meat or plant based), or enjoy exclusively vegan dishes according to your preferences.
Just as the setting complements each mouthful of this degustation menu, so do the sommelier-chosen wine pairings – a popular optional addition. As you sip and savour your way through the six courses you’ll be taken on a journey through the world’s best wine regions with surprises guaranteed.
The only thing you’ll be left wanting for is more time on your itinerary to squeeze in a second sitting.
