There are few places in the world worth getting on an airplane just for the food, and the Ponta dos Ganchos in Santa Catarina Brazil makes the cut.  Set in a fishing village, this sedately, deeply luxurious retreat has a culinary program that is amongst the top in the world.  Their breakfast all day is a legendary degustation menu, that may start with delicate papaya canapés on fresh lime, and continue for 9 more courses, with everything from a taste of Croque Madame to smoked salmon and cucumber and ending with traditional local puff pastry rolls of deliciousness. They are serious about breakfast all day too; you go into such chill mode at the Ponta that it’s not surprising to wake at 2 and roll into the breakfast room, where they serve you sans judgment.

We on the other hand, were quite motivated  by the prospects of eating everything at the resort, and luckily we did, as we stumbled upon a traditional Brazilian grill for lunch one day.  We had to make their chef share all his secrets.  Our meal started out with big gorgeous salads.  One was a simple tomato mozzarella with grilled bread, and the other a mixed  green with toasted almonds, fresh surpremed citrus and smoked salmon.  Both were just packed with flavor.  The star of the show was the seafood grill, which when we’re not at the resort, we’re addicted to creating at home.