![Fire Restaurant at Kuda Villingili Resort Honored with Wine Spectator Award](https://coralglass.sfo2.digitaloceanspaces.com/news/cover/GMi8JzGoAfMC41k3jMUP7y6dwdpX8t2ziRHriTki.jpeg)
Fire Restaurant at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been recognized for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards. This prestigious accolade celebrates the world’s best restaurants for wine, and Fire Restaurant has earned the Award of Excellence.
“We are immensely delighted to receive the Wine Spectator’s 2024 Award of Excellence,” said Amjad Thaufeeq, Commercial Director of Kuda Villingili. “This award is a testament to our team’s dedication to providing our guests with an outstanding dining experience and a wide range of wine choices. Our wine program is designed to cater to both connoisseurs and casual wine lovers, ensuring that every guest finds something to enjoy.”
Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher of Wine Spectator, emphasized the importance of wine in the dining experience. “The restaurant industry is growing and thriving, with restaurant openings surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time. To take advantage of the uptick, restaurateurs are re-investing in their wine programs. Restaurants that make wine a priority are what the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards program is all about. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,777 restaurants for their dedication to wine and exemplary wine lists.”
The Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, launched in 1981, are the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. The awards are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence, and the Grand Award. This year, there are 2,150; 1,531; and 96 winners in each respective category.
The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Fire Restaurant exemplifies this with its diverse selection of wines that cater to various tastes and preferences.
Fire Restaurant, inspired by the classic American steakhouse, excels in the art of grilling meat to perfection. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Lalith Sharma, the talented culinary team delivers prime-cut meats accompanied by mouthwatering condiments and homemade sauces. The fine-dining experience is further enhanced by using organic, free-trade certified, and free-range ingredients sourced globally. The restaurant’s chic, balanced ambiance, along with the salty breeze and gently lapping waves, perfects this partially overwater dining experience.
The wine list at Fire Restaurant showcases a variety of producers' terroirs and grape varietals, offering an exquisite selection of wines ranging from classic to modern. The emphasis on both Old World and New World wines ensures guests can explore diverse flavors and high-quality selections throughout their stay.
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, located in the picturesque North Male Atoll, offers a private island experience just a 30-minute speedboat ride from the airport. With 75 spacious villas on the beachfront and over the turquoise lagoon, the resort provides diverse gastronomic experiences, from casual Hawker-style dining to fine dining on the beach. Guests can enjoy three unique dining venues and concepts, catering to various tastes and preferences.