Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto in his new restaurant Morimoto Napa.Hopper Stone
Modern Japanese cuisine arrives in California wine country with the opening of Morimoto Napa, the first West Coast restaurant opened by Nobu alumnus and Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The industrial-chic concrete floors and iron chandeliers may seem more New York than Napa, but the menu is an inventive addition to the region's culinary offerings. Fish is flown in daily from Japan and combined with locally sourced produce to create Morimoto signatures such as toro tartare and tuna pizza and some unique-to-Napa dishes such as Sea Urchin Carbonara, Duck Duck Goose (duck confit fried rice with frozen foie gras) and sashimi salad, a twist on traditional Caesar salad that is served with seared tuna. www.morimotonapa.com
GET HIGH IN THE ANDES
Casa Cartagena, a new 16-suite hotel in Cuzco, Peru, is helping its guests breathe a little easier. To combat the effects of altitude sickness (at 3,500 metres above sea level, Cuzco is one of South America's highest cities), rooms are outfitted with a nifty oxygen-enrichment system that pipes in pure oxygen at night. If a full day of touring Incan ruins leaves you gasping for more, a self-operated bedside oxygen mask is also on hand for additional hits. Fresh air is just one of many posh amenities: There's also an on-site spa that specializes in cranial therapy and aromatic steam baths, and an attentive crew of butlers who can pack and unpack bags, polish shoes and deliver pisco cocktails straight to your room. www.casacartagena.com
YOU'LL HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE
Boogie back to the summer of 1963 at the first annual Dirty Dancing Festival in Lake Lure, N.C. The festivities kick off with a lakeside screening of the cult classic at Firefly Cove (the location where many of the movie's outdoor scenes were shot), followed by a family-friendly day of dance lessons, competitions and concerts. For true fans, however, the highlight will be the Time of Your Life closing gala, a re-creation of the film's final scene where Johnny and Baby perform their epic routine. The festival runs Sept. 17 and 18, and all proceeds go to charitable causes. www.dirtydancingfestival.com
PHILLY'S GOT SOUL
Philly's got its groove back. Five months after a fire ravaged its historic headquarters, Philadelphia International Records - the label that produced the soulful hits of Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass and Lou Rawls - has opened the Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP) Experience. By day, the interactive exhibit showcases memorabilia, autographed murals and a karaoke recording studio where visitors can belt out classics like Love Train and Me & Mrs. Jones. Real performers come out every Thursday night, when the venue turns into an intimate nightclub featuring homegrown acts and open-mike sessions designed to uncover new talent. www.gamble-huffmusic.com
Special to The Globe and Mail