Named for the Chef, Kei Kobayashi, two Michelin star Restaurant Kei, in central Paris is today’s adventure. It is tucked away in a little side street only a few blocks from the worlds largest art museum the Louvre. Searching out breakaway chefs who have begun their careers in the big houses and are now establishing their own identity, leads us to Kei. We have been particularly enjoying the magic that Japanese chefs bring to French Cuisine and by all accounts […]
Jonnie and Thérèse Boer – Passionate memory makers We are taking a very special journey to the northeastern part of the Netherlands, to the beautiful town of Zwolle, to explore the experience of dining with the venerable Jonnie and Therese Boer at their restaurant De Librije. The old prison building that’s now De Librije No matter where you look for guidance on exceptional dining experiences, restaurant De Librije, continually stands out as one of the best fine dining destintaion […]
The magical partnership of patron and Maître de Maison Guillaume Guedj and acclaimed Japanese Chef Shinichi Sato creates Passage 53, a two Michelin star dining experience hidden away in one of Paris’ amazing “passageways” tucked in between buildings in the centre of Paris. Another somewhat obscure place with little internet presence. Only the halo of two Michelin Stars tips us off to its existence. With a bit of digging I discover that Guillaume is a son in law of famous […]
Restaurant Pages, is an unassuming Paris restaurant where Japanese chef Ryushi Teshima takes the art form that is French cuisine and blends it with Japanese food culture, applying the skill of a master craftsman driven by the quiet pursuit of perfection. This combination ultimately creates a wonderful Restaurant experience, so much so, that Restaurant Pages finds its way to the top of the Top Paris Restaurants in the pages of my journal. It is our fascination with finding and […]
L’Archeste, a one Michelin Star restaurant in the prestigious 16th Arrondissement in Paris where Chef Yoshiaki Ito presents playful modern French cuisine imbued with focused Japanese precision. If we weren’t avid readers of foodie information we would never have found L’Archeste. The website is virtually nonexistent, only listing days of the week and opening hours, with absolutely no indication of what there might be to eat there or who might be cooking it. As for making a reservation, there is […]
Controversy, innovation, creativity, passion, enthusiasm, all emanate and swirl around the life force that is Alain Passard, Executive Chef and Owner of Paris restaurant L’Arpège. In 2018 L’Arpège landed at No.4 on the Opinionated About Dining Top 100+ European Restaurants list and No. 8 in The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants list. I’m here to find out more about Alain, the destination foodie temple he’s created, and to learn if L’Arpège really is french for “exceptional”. L’Arpège ………maybe it’s french for “exceptional” L’Arpège, his restaurant […]
Quietly tucked away in the little UK village of Bray, The Fat Duck is Heston Blumenthal’s renowned restaurant. Yes there are three Michelin stars but there is so much more to be said about Heston Blumenthal than stars alone can convey. In my mind he stands apart, incomparable to anything else, so I wonder if in his case, stars or hats are meaningless attempts to categorise a chef who is simply not able to be contained, pigeon holed or defined. […]
I’m not sure if there’s a more wonderful way to lunch in Paris but Le Clarence is up there. Set in a beautifully decorated French mansion, with all it’s old world frenchieness – Le Clarence leaves you feeling like you’ve just stepped back in time and into a fairytale. A beautiful setting, assured cooking and warm and friendly service make Le Clarence a top spot in Paris for lunch or dinner. Located just off The Avenue des Champs-Élysées, in the Triangle d’or, this elegant restaurant strives […]
I love Melbourne, there is such a good vibe here. I could live here, I could definitely cope with the vibrant foodie scene and the artistic and creative sensibility that flavours this city. It’s a fascinating combination of easy, relaxed, yet passionate and creative. After a long day of thinking, problem solving and brainstorming I am keen to turn the brain off. Something to eat and drink and a good night’s sleep is in order. A few nibbles and […]
Business was the reason for the team and I to be Melbourne for a couple of days. It was the perfect opportunity to introduce my young staff to “doing it in style”. Opportunity knocked so I arranged a table at Lûmé, South Melbourne. All I told the crew was that I had arranged something very special. Melbourne CBD. Photographer Daniel Bone Something funny happened on the way to Melbourne The excitement was building up as we […]