What does it take to achieve perfection with such a simple and archaic way of cooking as wood-fired grilling? I think of that each time I enter the modest kitchen of Victor Arguinzoniz, the grilling genius from the Spanish Basque country. When he opened Etxebarri over 30 years ago, he…

Tenkun Ryugin is the spin-off of the famous 3 Michelin starred Ryugin in Tokyo (read about it here). Usually I don’t expect much from restaurant branches (especially when the main chef is not even there), but Ryugin Hong Kong was as phenomenal as the original restaurant. Plus, the view from…

One of the most memorable culinary discoveries this year for me took place at the newly opened Disfrutar in Barcelona. It’s run by three chefs, Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casanas, who used to be work at El Bulli. Highly recommended! Disfrutar 163 Carrer de Villarroel, 08036 Barcelona, SpainTel.…

With two Michelin stars under the belt and consistently rated among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Björn Frantzén’s elegant establishment is one of the best in Scandinavia and one of my personal favourites. On my third and most recent visit, I was once again impressed by the quality of the…

Michel Guérard has been making food history for over forty years. The father of “cuisine minceur” or slimming cuisine, began his career when he was 14 years old as a pastry chef, eventually attaining the coveted status of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” in 1958. Guérard earned his first Michelin stars…

One year after visiting Ledoyen for the first time since Yannick Alléno took it over, I must say it has evolved and improved a lot. (Ledoyen got back it’s 3 Michelin stars just few months after the reopening.) Alléno is one of the unique contemporary chefs who is capable to…

Between towering Ancient Greek temples and the pristine Mediterranean Sea lies the vast Piana del Sele Paestum. Known for millennia as the “plain of the gods,” this region of Campania in southern Italy is also home to the water buffalo that produce some of the world’s most heavenly mozzarella. The…

Tabelog.com has launched its English version last spring. You can see the whole list here. I guess, this is the last time I compile this list. Enjoy! Sushi Saito (3 Michelin stars) tabelog.com/tokyo/A1308/A130802/13015251/ Sushi Sho tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13000852/ Harutaka (2 Michelin stars) tabelog.com/tokyo/A1301/A130103/13032283/ Mitani tabelog.com/tokyo/A1309/A130902/13042204/ Miyakozushi tabelog.com/tokyo/A1302/A130204/13018162/ Sushi Tokami (1 Michelin star)…

Nestled on the tip of the Sorrentina Peninsula, overlooking the Bay of Naples, seventeen acres of lush organic gardens and orchards provide the raw ingredients for Don Alfonso 1890. Run by Alfonso Iaccarino and his wife Livia, the restaurant is an extension of the land the Iaccarinos began cultivating 25…

Not so long along, vegetables played a secondary role on the world’s best tables, back up dancers to a star piece of red meat or fish. But thanks to the visionary work of French chef Alain Passard, vegetables now take centre stage at restaurants around the world, from Los Angeles…