This Fijian resort is setting the bar with its foodie offerings

You often hear about the power of muscle memory; how you can sit down at a piano after years of not playing and still perform your favourite tune by heart. I think there's a similarly powerful process we experience that isn't discussed nearly as often.  

I'm talking about tastebud memory. That indescribable sensation of being transported back to a certain time or moment of your life, simply by eating a certain food. 

I've checked into Pullman Resort and Spa in Fiji's Nadi Bay, and while there's no denying they serve up some delicious tropical fare – almost as beautiful as the enveloping beach views – it's their ability to invoke, at the moment of tasting, flowing tides and the smell of salt and sunscreen. Pleasant memories are a pretty phenomenal amuse-bouche.

I don't often find myself evangelising about hotels or resorts. I'm more of a get-out-on-the-town kind of traveller, itching to ditch the key card and hop onto the nearest bus or train to the most far-flung flea market or street food vendor. 

But even weeks after visiting the Pullman in Nadi, I can barely take a breath between musings about the incredible menu and experiences on offer — and with Nadi Airport just a four hour flight from Sydney, it's unbelievably easy to travel to. 

Upon arrival at Pullman Nadi Bay, you're offered a choice between a cocktail or a mocktail before being whisked away to your room. As it's 10am when we arrive (and I'm an embarrassingly cheap drunk), I go for the mocktail – a deliciously pulpy banana and pineapple smoothie, already showcasing Fiji's fresh produce.

Executive chef Jeremy Allan is the man behind all four of the food outlets spread across the resort, and his philosophy is simple: food, when prepared properly and consumed mindfully, should make you dance. 

While we're sipping wines at the resort's beachfront diner Kah, Jeremy tells me how his daughter recently ate a really good noodle bowl. She went completely quiet after the first bite, closed her eyes, and a did a little happy dance as a smile spread over her face, right there at the dinner table. 

"Why don't we do that anymore?" Jeremy asked, genuinely baffled. 

It's a good question. When was the last time you lost yourself to a really, really good meal? One thing is for sure, it's all I can do to stop myself from breaking into song when I finally get to sample the food at Kah. 

The chicken laarb salad is an aromatic feast of flavours and spices, with a hint of heat bolstering the minty freshness of the greenery. 

And the duck rendang curry that follows? Sublime. Not only does the duck fall apart as soon as a fork touches it, but the curry that was generously spooned around it was creamy, with such undeniably tropical flavours that within seconds my tastebud memory has me lying on the beach, waves lapping at my feet and sun beating down on my face. 

It's not long before I'm awoken from my tropi-coma though; Kah's black sticky rice dessert would have anyone sitting up to pay attention. A surprisingly sweet, porridge-y consistency that, as my nan would say, could warm the cockles of your heart. 

And if you think that's where the food adventure ends, you're sorely mistaken.  

I vow to get up for the following day's sunrise, but a night of filling up on delicious food (and a cocktail or two) sees my best-laid plans go amiss. Instead, I find myself skipping down to a late breakfast, tripping over my Birkenstocks and almost losing my sunhat in the beach breeze — it's a tough life. 

Magiti is where I'm headed, the resort's buffet breakfast spot, and the range of choice — even for a buffet – is astounding. Salads, cooked veggies and curries line the bar, with mango and papaya smoothies dancing in blenders behind them.

And for those who prefer a Western breakfast, there's toast, cereal, fruit, yoghurt and an array of hot dishes as well. 

Naturally I pile my plate with all fathomable possibilities, my Khao tom curry spilling across my poached eggs, and fresh slices of watermelon plopping unceremoniously into the deliciously refreshing tom luad moo soup. 

In fact, all of the dining outlets at the Pullman Nadi Bay Resort are pretty exceptional, from the hearty delight that is Dan Dan noodle bar, to the crisp Caesar salad offered up by the Barefoot Café (which goes down wickedly well with a poolside margarita). 

But importantly, does the food pass chef Allan's test? Let's just say I was happy-dancing right up until I boarded my flight back to Sydney. 

A delicious way to fly 

Fiji Airways have launched a premium dining experience "Dine on the Ground" at their Nadi Airport lounge. The service lets business class passengers enjoy a gourmet meal in the lounge prior to boarding to "maximise rest while travelling", with all meals designed by Fiji Airways' executive in-house chef, and complemented with signature cocktails and a full-service bar, so you can end your holiday on a delicious note. 

Fiji Airways fly to Nadi from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. For bookings or more information on their foodie offerings, visit fijiairways.com. 

The writer travelled as a guest of Fiji Airways and Pullman Nadi Bay Resort.