I think that the appreciation of Japanese kaiseki art grows with experience. First time I had a kaiseki meal in Kyoto, I found it too unusual to enjoy. The flavours of most of the dishes were very mild, kind of “muted” and some of the ingredients were quite bizarre. Then…

No matter what people might have to say about Peter Luger Steakhouse, the best American steak I’ve had in my life was there. The place is not only historical, legendary and has a Michelin star. What really shines there is the food. The quality of the beef is extraordinary, tender,…

“Sushi and Beyond: What the Japanese Know About Cooking” by Michael Booth is an amusing and super informative book about Japanese food and culture. If you are passionate about Japan like me, you will really enjoy it.

Shang Palace at Shangri-la is the newest hotel restaurant opening in Paris. (opened on the 8th of September). You don’t really have great Cantonese restaurants in the city and Shang Palace is by far the best of all the Chinese I’ve been in Paris. However, if you’ve had Cantonese specialities…

Il Carpaccio at Royal Monceau has always been one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Paris. Since the refurbishment of the hotel, the newly opened Il Carpaccio is even better. It serves creative yet convivial Italian cuisine where the product is a king. Vitello tonnato with tuna tartare, strascinati with…

Lasagne al pesto was my biggest discovery when visiting Liguria. The one I’ve had at Da U Batti restaurant (2 Via Jacopo Ruffini, Santa Margherita Ligure, tel. 0185 287570‎) was a complete opposite to lasagne I’ve known before. Perfectly al dente pasta sheets with freshly made al pesto sauce, sprinkled…

If I had to choose only one restaurant on the French Riviera, it would probably be Tetou (Avenue des Frères Roustan, Golfe-Juan, 06220; tel. 04 93 63 71 16 ). I know I am repeating myself, but the bouillabaisse (so as the rouille sauce that goes with it, pictured above)…

If you pass by this tiny Japanese restaurant in the 16th, you might not even notice it. The exterior and interior of Juan ( 144 rue de la Pompe, 75116 Paris, tel. 0147274351 ) are typically Japanese, very discrete and minimalist. When I sat down at one of the four tables…

Images of sophisticated Ligurian cuisine (and the unique view of Portofino bay) at Splendido hotel restaurant La Terrazza.

Le Pré Catelan is one of my favorite 3 Michelin starred restaurant in Paris. Located in Bois de Boulogne, it is just ten minutes drive from the city (16th arrondissement is the closest). The restaurant is housed in a Napoleon III style pavilion, it’s opulent interior was renovated few years ago.…