On my last trip to Japan, I had the rare opportunity to dine at été, the invitation-only restaurant owned by Natsuko Shoji, a young and talented Japanese chef. I discovered her on social media through colourful snapshots of her cakes, which are inspired by iconic fashion accessories like the quilted…

Images from my lunch at La Tour D’Argent in Paris this August. Great, classic cooking by Philippe Labbé; with a view, which is to die for! La Tour D’Argent 17 Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris, FranceTel. +33 1 43 54 23 31

One of the greatest discoveries this year for me was Auberge du Père Bise. It’s very talented chef Jean Sulpice has just won Gault&Millau’s chef of the year 2018 title. Auberge du Père Bise Jean Sulpice 303 Route du Crêt, 74290 Talloires-Montmin, FranceTel. +33 4 50 60 72 01www.perebise.com/en/

Images from Etxebarri, still my number one restaurant in Europe (last visited in June 2017). The cooking style is not that rustic as it used to be and has become somehow more sophisticated (with more international staff in the kitchen). Etxebarri Plaza de San Juan, 148291 Atxondo, Bizkaia, SpainTel.: +34…

It is known for its tuna. Hotel Restaurante Antonio Bahía de la Plata, Atlanterra.,11393 Zahara de los Atunes, Cádiz, SpainTel. +34 956 43 95 42www.antoniohoteles.com

Another worth a special trip seafood temple in Andalucia. Los Marinos José Paseo Marítimo Rey de España,161, 29640 Fuengirola, Málaga, SpainTel. +34 952 66 10 12losmarinosjose.com

Once I have more time, I will be posting pictures from my favourite restaurants this summer. Meanwhile, do follow my feed and stories on Instagram for almost daily updates instagram.com/luxeat These images are from Casa Balbino, very simple, yet worth a trip seafood tapas bar in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Casa…

Saito tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1308/A130802/13015251/ Sugita tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1302/A130204/13018162/ Mitani tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13042204/ Sukiyabashi Jiro tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13002260/ Hashiguchi tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1308/A130801/13134517/ Hatsunezushi tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1315/A131503/13017742/ Amamoto tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1314/A131401/13196420/ Arai tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13188186/ Sawada tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13001043/ Sushi Sho tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13000852/ Kimura tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1317/A131708/13026584/ Harutaka tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130103/13032283/ Kiyota tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130101/13070238/ Ichikawa tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1317/A131715/13140619/ Sushi Sho Saito tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1308/A130801/13023988/ Daisan Harumisushi tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130103/13002140/ Takamitsu tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1317/A131701/13128483/ Tokami tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130103/13155234/ Namba tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1319/A131905/13127515/ Miyaba tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1314/A131401/13019499/ Sushi Yoshitake tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1301/A130103/13024076/ Takumi Shingo…

Umami flavour is key in Japanese cooking and the reason why it is so oishi. One of the historical explanations could be that because for many years before Meiji restoration four-legged animals meat had been forbidden, Japanese cooks had to develop other ways to bring out umami. Necessity is what…

I met Kamal Mouzawak at Tawlet, one of the six restaurants he owns in Beirut and elsewhere in Lebanon. We found a common language right away – he is a visionary social activist, a restaurateur, and, most of all, passionate food lover with a deep knowledge of Levantine cuisine. Since…