The menu shouts, “Show me the money” Chef Alain Ducasse is one of the most awarded chefs in the world with a collection of 18 Michelin stars across his many restaurants. Today we are visiting his three Michelin star restaurant in Paris – Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée – No.21 on the The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list for 2018 and No.66 – Opinionated About Dining Top 100+ European Classical Restaurants 2018. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée Paris – The Haute Couture Address in Paris The Hotel […]
Fire and passion are the hallmarks of Portuguese cuisine, a story masterfully told through José Avillez at Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal. Distinguished with 2 Michelin Stars, 132 OAD Top 100+ European Restaurants 2017 and eighty-fifth place in “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List”. José Avillez, one of Portugal’s most celebrated chefs, tasting menu runs for around 20 courses, featuring updated takes on traditional Portuguese concepts, like a dish he calls Wave Breaking, which combines a coastal prawn with bivalves, seaweed and seaweed “sand,” and oxtail with chickpeas, foie […]
Heist-aan-Zee, or Heist, is a town in Knokke-Heist, West Flanders, one of Belgium’s better-known and more affluent seaside resorts, equivalent to France’s Deauville, the perfect setting for Michelin Star Restaurant Bartholomeus. Restaurant Bartholomeus is creatively led by Head Chef and owner Bart Dismidt. Two Michelin stars, Gault Millau 18/20, 168 OAD Top 100+ European Restaurants 2017, Foodtaster 90/100 and great reviews from those who dine at this tranquil beach-front pearl make the trip to Restaurant Bartholomeus a very worthwhile and memorable one. […]
Founder and Head Grower Gert-Jan Hageman had the idea for De Kas: “A kitchen surrounded by fertile soil where vegetables and herbs thrive … Where daylight shines in from all sides and where the chefs are free to express their creativity daily using the best the season has to offer. It seems an obvious concept, but I spent twenty years surrounded by white tiles under fluorescent lighting before I came up with it.” Frankendael Park – Restaurant De Kas […]
As there are many choices, sometimes you’ve just got to take the easy way to easily finalise your dinner plans; look into the mirror and ask, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is fairest of them all?” de Silveren Spiegel (translated in English to The Silver Mirror) is the winner. Michelin worthy de Silveren Spiegel offers contemporary Dutch cuisine prepared by talented young chef Yves van der Hoff, whose father, Jim van der Hoff owns the place. (That’s […]
Much mischief can come from not understanding the differences between Dutch courage, or going Dutch, so I’m off to find some clarity, in Amsterdam, of course. I am so excited! We are about to embark on a journey to parts of the world that I have imagined but never seen. Our first stop on this magical adventure is Amsterdam. When I t hink of Amsterdam I think sex, drugs and canal houses. A funny collection of thoughts I guess. I […]
We began this trip to Paris with our first dining experience in St Honore and today we find ourselves back for our final luncheon at Le Grand Restaurant – Jean-Francois Piège. The Michelin Star chef has transformed what was a pizzeria, tucked away in nondescript little side street off Rue Du Faubourg, into a most spectacular and stylish venue. We find ourselves crossing the Champs Elysees near the Arc de Triomphe to the 8th Arrondissement and explore a […]
Today was such a funny day, we started really well with what we thought were clear intentions, but the universe, as usual, led us to where we were meant to be . Dressed immaculately for our luncheon booking at Le Salle a Manger. Where we planned to experience the unique style of chef Helene Darroze, 2015 best female chef of the year. We left early looking forward to a nice long walk through Paris before lunch. One of the […]
A lovely long walk today through street of Paris through le Jardin du Luxembourg, builds our appetites for our bistro style lunch at Bistroy Les Papilles. When we walk through the door it is very clear we are in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Bistroy Les Papilles décor is an interesting mix of classic French elements juxtaposed with bright Latin colours. The mosaic tile floor is a kaleidoscope of bright colours, yellow, red, blue, green and orange. A large bold […]
Restaurant A.T is our destination today. We walked past it after Alliance yesterday, the window causing us to stop and peer in, modern and fresh, a departure from the classic Parisian. The space here is simple and contemporary, a soft white space, splashed with small details of colour and texture. Wall art of timber strips splashed with streaks of pastel colours and a modern mural on one wall; black textured sweeps of paint that flash across the wall and ceiling. […]