Macau
Dubai
Bali
Istanbul
Turkey
Sahara, Tunisia
Mallorca
Venice
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
Norway
Las Vegas
Mexico
Morocco
Muscat, Oman
Ibiza, Spain
Cascais, Portugal
Suffolk, England
Saturday 29 November 2008
Colours of sunsets
How many sunsets can you remember in a lifetime? Who did you watch the last sunset with? Who will you watch the next sunset with? Sunsets are beautiful and never the same. City sunsets differ from those in the countryside because of pollution. But can we tell the difference? Watching sunsets can be exciting and sad at the same time because it makes you realise that no matter how beautiful it looks, you cannot capture the best moments (except by taking photos/ recording it on video). Sunsets happen everyday across the globe but do we really appreciate this natural phenomenon? Maybe we city folks need to take time and learn to appreciate nature and people around us.
Macau
Dubai
Bali
Istanbul
Turkey
Sahara, Tunisia
Mallorca
Venice
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
Norway
Las Vegas
Mexico
Morocco
Muscat, Oman
Ibiza, Spain
Cascais, Portugal
Suffolk, England
Macau
Dubai
Bali
Istanbul
Turkey
Sahara, Tunisia
Mallorca
Venice
Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland
Norway
Las Vegas
Mexico
Morocco
Muscat, Oman
Ibiza, Spain
Cascais, Portugal
Suffolk, England
Sunday 9 November 2008
Michelin starred restaurants (New York)
There are so many fantastic restaurants in New York, but why do I keep seeing Jean Georges' establishments on the list? What is going on?!
3* Le Bernardin - Went there twice, the 1st time was mind-blowing... thought the cooking was skillful and creative. The sommelier also recommended excellent wine to go with each of our courses. The second time was quite disappointing esp. with the service, but I still think it's one of the best seafood restaurants in town!
3* Jean Georges - Horrible! My restaurant critic friend's pork dish was covered in barbeque sauce! All of us thought the meal (lunch) was pretty awful except for the desserts and service.
2* Bouley (bakery) - An interesting restaurant in Tribeca. We had the tasting menu for lunch and felt too greedy afterwards. Food was Asian-influenced with many fruit-themed dishes. Adventurous but a bit hit/miss. Service was friendly and professional.
2* Daniel - This doesn't feel like NYC at all! Quite a grand dining room, very formal for NY. My fish wrapped in potatoes was crispy but a bit too heavy and greasy. Overall, the food was very good but there were no surprises. Professional and attentive service. A great restaurant for special occasions.
1* Babbo - After hearing & reading so many good reviews about this place, our experience here turned out to be quite average. We didn't find the food amazing and thought the service was rather cold. Did we miss something? Maybe, but there are too many good places in NYC, so I won't be rushing back anytime soon.
1* Gotham bar & grill - When I first moved to NYC, this was THE place to see & be seen. Finally, I went there years after I moved away and it was still buzzing! The modern American cuisine was tasty and visually pleasing. However, the place was cramped and noisy, a slight let-down esp. in this upmarket category.
1* Gramercy Tavern - Good food, pleasant dining room but not that memorable.
1* Oceana - My first dinner experience here was fantastic, the seafood was excellent and service was warm and friendly. The second time, lunch was so so and service was cold. The difference was quite drastic! Did we go to a different restaurant?!
1* Vong - Went there many years ago when fusion food was still 'trendy'. At the time, the food was quite revolutionary, dishes like foie gras with mango really stood out. Also went to the HK branch at Mandarin Oriental hotel before it closed down. I'm not a fan of Jean Georges, but Vong is probably my favourite out of all of his establishments.
1* JoJo - Went there for lunch and we all thought the meal was just average, nothing to write home about.
1* L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - I am a Joel Robuchon fan... I love his food even though all his portions are tiny!! There are always surprises and he seems to enjoy challenging our senses! I never expected him to open inside The Four Seasons, but it is surprisingly informal and airy. I love sitting by the bar, it feels good to watch, sample and chat.
1* Sushi of Gari - A Japanese friend recommended Gari many years ago when she was living in the neighbourhood. We used to sit by the bar and requested Gari himself to make all our sushi (booked in advanced of course!). The first experience was exhilarating, because it was unlike any sushi I have ever tasted before. Unfortunately, like all restaurants, the standards always slip when the chef decides to expand and open one restaurant after another in different locations/ cities. Went to Gari in the West side 2 years ago and felt quite disappointed. I miss the old days when we used to sit by the bar and watched Gari creating his delightful sushi with care & dedication!
1* The Modern (the dining room) - Actually, we didn't go to the formal part of the restaurant because we were told that the casual dining room serves equally good food but at lower prices. And they were right, we just didn't expect a museum restaurant to be this good! Tapas- sized dishes were great for sharing and the cocktails were excellent. Lunch was a bit hectic but we thoroughly enjoyed our meal!
3* Le Bernardin - Went there twice, the 1st time was mind-blowing... thought the cooking was skillful and creative. The sommelier also recommended excellent wine to go with each of our courses. The second time was quite disappointing esp. with the service, but I still think it's one of the best seafood restaurants in town!
3* Jean Georges - Horrible! My restaurant critic friend's pork dish was covered in barbeque sauce! All of us thought the meal (lunch) was pretty awful except for the desserts and service.
2* Bouley (bakery) - An interesting restaurant in Tribeca. We had the tasting menu for lunch and felt too greedy afterwards. Food was Asian-influenced with many fruit-themed dishes. Adventurous but a bit hit/miss. Service was friendly and professional.
2* Daniel - This doesn't feel like NYC at all! Quite a grand dining room, very formal for NY. My fish wrapped in potatoes was crispy but a bit too heavy and greasy. Overall, the food was very good but there were no surprises. Professional and attentive service. A great restaurant for special occasions.
1* Babbo - After hearing & reading so many good reviews about this place, our experience here turned out to be quite average. We didn't find the food amazing and thought the service was rather cold. Did we miss something? Maybe, but there are too many good places in NYC, so I won't be rushing back anytime soon.
1* Gotham bar & grill - When I first moved to NYC, this was THE place to see & be seen. Finally, I went there years after I moved away and it was still buzzing! The modern American cuisine was tasty and visually pleasing. However, the place was cramped and noisy, a slight let-down esp. in this upmarket category.
1* Gramercy Tavern - Good food, pleasant dining room but not that memorable.
1* Oceana - My first dinner experience here was fantastic, the seafood was excellent and service was warm and friendly. The second time, lunch was so so and service was cold. The difference was quite drastic! Did we go to a different restaurant?!
1* Vong - Went there many years ago when fusion food was still 'trendy'. At the time, the food was quite revolutionary, dishes like foie gras with mango really stood out. Also went to the HK branch at Mandarin Oriental hotel before it closed down. I'm not a fan of Jean Georges, but Vong is probably my favourite out of all of his establishments.
1* JoJo - Went there for lunch and we all thought the meal was just average, nothing to write home about.
1* L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - I am a Joel Robuchon fan... I love his food even though all his portions are tiny!! There are always surprises and he seems to enjoy challenging our senses! I never expected him to open inside The Four Seasons, but it is surprisingly informal and airy. I love sitting by the bar, it feels good to watch, sample and chat.
1* Sushi of Gari - A Japanese friend recommended Gari many years ago when she was living in the neighbourhood. We used to sit by the bar and requested Gari himself to make all our sushi (booked in advanced of course!). The first experience was exhilarating, because it was unlike any sushi I have ever tasted before. Unfortunately, like all restaurants, the standards always slip when the chef decides to expand and open one restaurant after another in different locations/ cities. Went to Gari in the West side 2 years ago and felt quite disappointed. I miss the old days when we used to sit by the bar and watched Gari creating his delightful sushi with care & dedication!
1* The Modern (the dining room) - Actually, we didn't go to the formal part of the restaurant because we were told that the casual dining room serves equally good food but at lower prices. And they were right, we just didn't expect a museum restaurant to be this good! Tapas- sized dishes were great for sharing and the cocktails were excellent. Lunch was a bit hectic but we thoroughly enjoyed our meal!
Saturday 8 November 2008
Michelin starred restaurants (Europe)
I can't help but wonder how the inspectors picked the Michelin starred restaurants/ S.Pellegrino's 50 best restaurants. Some of the restaurants on these lists are just above-average and extremely overpriced, but I guess food (and beauty) is a matter of opinion, so we can only assume that the experts know what they are talking about.
I have been very privileged and have enjoyed many fine restaurants around the globe, including many Michelin starred restaurants. I am not a restaurant critic but I have certain standards and preferences. I believe that dining out is not just about the food, it's also about the service, atmosphere, company and mood of the diners. Some of the best meals I have had were not in Michelin starred restaurants, but rustic/ traditional family-run restaurants that serve simple and fresh food without much fuss. I can't stand some of the 'hip & trendy' restaurants with snotty service, they are just not worth the time & money. Great service makes a huge difference to the dining experience, I wish all restauranteurs would understand this.
Personally, I think the most diverse and high-quality restaurants are located in New York City and Tokyo. London is slightly over-hyped and over-priced for what you get, whereas Paris is best for French cuisine only (the French will probably dispute over this). Hong Kong used to be excellent for food but I feel that the standard has slipped over the past few years, not quite sure why... And then there's Moscow... hmm... what can I say... I feel sorry for those Moscovites who pay so much for such average food, it probably explains why they are all fleeing to London!
Here is a list of the Michelin starred restaurants I have visited over the years (in Europe) as well as my experiences and honest opinions:
Paris
3* L'Arpege - Excellent seafood and subtle flavours. Friendly service, not at all pretentious.
2* Les Ambassadeurs - Opulent setting, professional service. I remember the setting, champagne & waiters, but unfortunately I can't remember much else...
2* Senderens - After much anticipation, my experience turned out to be quite disappointing. The Asian fusion cuisine didn't do much for me, in fact, I got quite sick after the meal! Service was a bit cold & rushed.
2* Les Elysees du Vernet - Food was a bit too heavy but the service was friendly & attentive. What a beautiful dining room!
2* L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - Went there soon after it opened, was quite blown away by the concept and originality. Thoroughly enjoyed the tasting menu! The flavours and combinations of ingredients were amazing, the best fusion cooking I have ever had!
1* Gerard Besson - Very traditional French, nothing special but excellent service.
1* L'Espadon @ The Ritz - Was very impressed overall, thought the cooking would be quite traditional with heavy sauces etc, but it wasn't. Faultless service.
1* Dominque Bouchet - What a disappointment, considering how famous he is in France and Japan! The tasting menu was nothing special, in fact, it was one of the most disappointing tasting menu I have ever had! Everything was quite bland...
1* L'Angle du Faubourg - Professional service combined with high quality cooking and reasonable prices. A low-key but excellent establishment.
1* Maison Blanche - Great setting and original cooking, though not so fond of the pretentious/ trendy crowd.
1* Gaya par Pierre Gagnaire - A real surprise! Tiny and casual place but the cooking (mainly seafood) was creative and excellent at the same time. Will want to go back for more!
London/ U.K.
3* The Waterside Inn - Cosy hotel and great location, but are the 3 stars awarded for the cooking or the legacy of Michel Roux?! The tasting menu's portions were far too generous and on the heavy side with very rich sauces. Impeccable service but not sure if this should be the top 3 restaurants in the country...
Afternoon tea at Le Manoir
2* Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons - Why is this not 3 starred? I have no idea. I think the cooking is inventive and full of flavours. Tried 2 of their tasting menus, and I highly recommend the 10-course Découverte menu. Unpretentious service and setting, oh, and breakfast was wonderful too!
2* Le Gavroche - Strangely, I had a better experience at Le Gavroche than The Waterside Inn. I really enjoyed the food, wine, atmosphere and service. A first class restaurant!
2* Petrus - Went there for lunch and found the lunch menu quite reasonable (for a 2 Michelin starred restaurant). The food got mixed reviews from us, perhaps Marcus wasn't around that afternoon?!
1* Club Gascon - Been there twice, enjoyed it both times. The wine went extremely well with the food, but service was just okay.
1* Gordon Ramsay at Claridges - Despite all the negative reviews about this place, I enjoyed my meal here. Food and service was top notch, no complaints from me!
1* Hakkasan - Not sure how this place managed to get a Michelin star?! Is it the decor? The hype? I'm sure anyone who has lived/been to Hong Kong would ask the same question. Overpriced and over-hyped, but I did enjoy their cocktails!
1* Yauatcha - The 90-min time slot was awful. We were rushed and reminded constantly to return the table by a certain time. The dim sum was tasty and desserts were delicious but the service + seating arrangement was a letdown!
1* Nobu - Not as good as Nobu in NYC and steeper prices too!
Baked rice @ Benares
1* Benares - After watching 'Great British Menu' on BBC2, I was eager to try Atul's cooking! I was expecting some creative Indian cooking, but nothing I had was THAT special. Good meal, nice dining room and high prices !
1* Tamarind - Again, I am puzzled by the Michelin star given to this restaurant. Above average Indian and so so service... what did I miss?!
1* Sketch (lecture room) - Been to both lecture room & gallery. Gallery is a place to see and be seen, whereas the lecture room is for serious foodies. I found the cooking too fussy and complicated, it wasn't a particularly memorable meal.
1* L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - Having been to the Paris and NY branches, I was anxious to see if the London one would live up to the 'Robuchon' standards. Even though this chain is expanding quicker than Starbucks, I still love the concept and cooking! I can eat here once a week without being bored! I also love the bar upstairs, it's feels like a private member's club!
1* Mirabelle - I am surprised to find out that this place has a Michelin star. Not that it wasn't good, it just wasn't outstanding. Nice dining room and professional service, food was classic French. Nothing special.
1* Rhodes W1 - Not a fan of Gary Rhodes but did enjoy my meal here. The place was empty when we were there, so we got all the attention!
Rome
1* L’Altro Mastai - Was looking forward to my first Michelin starred establishment in Rome after reading many positive reviews, but sadly, the experience didn't meet my expectations. Food wasn't memorable nor outstanding and service was ok.
Langoustines & seafood soup at Quinzi & Gabrieli
1* Quinzi & Gabrieli - Wow!! Haven't had such fresh & amazing seafood for a long time! Very simple cooking techniques and yet everything we had was excellent! The steamed langoustines were so sweet! Very warm & friendly service in a touristy area, will go back there again & again! One of the best seafood places I have ever been to!
Mallorca
Dessert at Bacchus
1* Bacchus at Read's hotel - Beautiful 16th century dining room! The food was good but maybe not as magnificent as the setting. Professional service, a pleasant experience.
1* Koldo Royo (lost his star in 2008 after 18 years with Michelin!) - Went there twice when the chef still had his star! Thought the menu & food was adventurous and brave, a good place to enjoy bold & flavoursome Basque cuisine in an informal setting.
I have been very privileged and have enjoyed many fine restaurants around the globe, including many Michelin starred restaurants. I am not a restaurant critic but I have certain standards and preferences. I believe that dining out is not just about the food, it's also about the service, atmosphere, company and mood of the diners. Some of the best meals I have had were not in Michelin starred restaurants, but rustic/ traditional family-run restaurants that serve simple and fresh food without much fuss. I can't stand some of the 'hip & trendy' restaurants with snotty service, they are just not worth the time & money. Great service makes a huge difference to the dining experience, I wish all restauranteurs would understand this.
Personally, I think the most diverse and high-quality restaurants are located in New York City and Tokyo. London is slightly over-hyped and over-priced for what you get, whereas Paris is best for French cuisine only (the French will probably dispute over this). Hong Kong used to be excellent for food but I feel that the standard has slipped over the past few years, not quite sure why... And then there's Moscow... hmm... what can I say... I feel sorry for those Moscovites who pay so much for such average food, it probably explains why they are all fleeing to London!
Here is a list of the Michelin starred restaurants I have visited over the years (in Europe) as well as my experiences and honest opinions:
Paris
3* L'Arpege - Excellent seafood and subtle flavours. Friendly service, not at all pretentious.
2* Les Ambassadeurs - Opulent setting, professional service. I remember the setting, champagne & waiters, but unfortunately I can't remember much else...
2* Senderens - After much anticipation, my experience turned out to be quite disappointing. The Asian fusion cuisine didn't do much for me, in fact, I got quite sick after the meal! Service was a bit cold & rushed.
2* Les Elysees du Vernet - Food was a bit too heavy but the service was friendly & attentive. What a beautiful dining room!
2* L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - Went there soon after it opened, was quite blown away by the concept and originality. Thoroughly enjoyed the tasting menu! The flavours and combinations of ingredients were amazing, the best fusion cooking I have ever had!
1* Gerard Besson - Very traditional French, nothing special but excellent service.
1* L'Espadon @ The Ritz - Was very impressed overall, thought the cooking would be quite traditional with heavy sauces etc, but it wasn't. Faultless service.
1* Dominque Bouchet - What a disappointment, considering how famous he is in France and Japan! The tasting menu was nothing special, in fact, it was one of the most disappointing tasting menu I have ever had! Everything was quite bland...
1* L'Angle du Faubourg - Professional service combined with high quality cooking and reasonable prices. A low-key but excellent establishment.
1* Maison Blanche - Great setting and original cooking, though not so fond of the pretentious/ trendy crowd.
1* Gaya par Pierre Gagnaire - A real surprise! Tiny and casual place but the cooking (mainly seafood) was creative and excellent at the same time. Will want to go back for more!
London/ U.K.
3* The Waterside Inn - Cosy hotel and great location, but are the 3 stars awarded for the cooking or the legacy of Michel Roux?! The tasting menu's portions were far too generous and on the heavy side with very rich sauces. Impeccable service but not sure if this should be the top 3 restaurants in the country...
Afternoon tea at Le Manoir
2* Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons - Why is this not 3 starred? I have no idea. I think the cooking is inventive and full of flavours. Tried 2 of their tasting menus, and I highly recommend the 10-course Découverte menu. Unpretentious service and setting, oh, and breakfast was wonderful too!
2* Le Gavroche - Strangely, I had a better experience at Le Gavroche than The Waterside Inn. I really enjoyed the food, wine, atmosphere and service. A first class restaurant!
2* Petrus - Went there for lunch and found the lunch menu quite reasonable (for a 2 Michelin starred restaurant). The food got mixed reviews from us, perhaps Marcus wasn't around that afternoon?!
1* Club Gascon - Been there twice, enjoyed it both times. The wine went extremely well with the food, but service was just okay.
1* Gordon Ramsay at Claridges - Despite all the negative reviews about this place, I enjoyed my meal here. Food and service was top notch, no complaints from me!
1* Hakkasan - Not sure how this place managed to get a Michelin star?! Is it the decor? The hype? I'm sure anyone who has lived/been to Hong Kong would ask the same question. Overpriced and over-hyped, but I did enjoy their cocktails!
1* Yauatcha - The 90-min time slot was awful. We were rushed and reminded constantly to return the table by a certain time. The dim sum was tasty and desserts were delicious but the service + seating arrangement was a letdown!
1* Nobu - Not as good as Nobu in NYC and steeper prices too!
Baked rice @ Benares
1* Benares - After watching 'Great British Menu' on BBC2, I was eager to try Atul's cooking! I was expecting some creative Indian cooking, but nothing I had was THAT special. Good meal, nice dining room and high prices !1* Tamarind - Again, I am puzzled by the Michelin star given to this restaurant. Above average Indian and so so service... what did I miss?!
1* Sketch (lecture room) - Been to both lecture room & gallery. Gallery is a place to see and be seen, whereas the lecture room is for serious foodies. I found the cooking too fussy and complicated, it wasn't a particularly memorable meal.
1* L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon - Having been to the Paris and NY branches, I was anxious to see if the London one would live up to the 'Robuchon' standards. Even though this chain is expanding quicker than Starbucks, I still love the concept and cooking! I can eat here once a week without being bored! I also love the bar upstairs, it's feels like a private member's club!
1* Mirabelle - I am surprised to find out that this place has a Michelin star. Not that it wasn't good, it just wasn't outstanding. Nice dining room and professional service, food was classic French. Nothing special.
1* Rhodes W1 - Not a fan of Gary Rhodes but did enjoy my meal here. The place was empty when we were there, so we got all the attention!
Rome
1* L’Altro Mastai - Was looking forward to my first Michelin starred establishment in Rome after reading many positive reviews, but sadly, the experience didn't meet my expectations. Food wasn't memorable nor outstanding and service was ok.
Langoustines & seafood soup at Quinzi & Gabrieli
1* Quinzi & Gabrieli - Wow!! Haven't had such fresh & amazing seafood for a long time! Very simple cooking techniques and yet everything we had was excellent! The steamed langoustines were so sweet! Very warm & friendly service in a touristy area, will go back there again & again! One of the best seafood places I have ever been to!
Mallorca
Dessert at Bacchus
1* Bacchus at Read's hotel - Beautiful 16th century dining room! The food was good but maybe not as magnificent as the setting. Professional service, a pleasant experience.1* Koldo Royo (lost his star in 2008 after 18 years with Michelin!) - Went there twice when the chef still had his star! Thought the menu & food was adventurous and brave, a good place to enjoy bold & flavoursome Basque cuisine in an informal setting.
Food, markets & cities
Pig's head & other bits sold in Central Market, Downtown Los Angeles
One of my passions in life is to eat! I love cooking at home as well as dining out. My favourite cuisines: Japanese (not just sushi), Chinese (esp. Szechuan food), Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Moroccan and French. I am not a big fan of fusion or over-complicated cooking (unless it is done by a masterchef!). I believe fresh produce/ high quality ingredients are key to an excellent meal. When the produce is fresh, do as little as possible to retain its original flavours, esp. with seafood. Simplicity is the answer and the Japanese are experts in this area.
I love going to food markets when I visit foreign cities because it shows how important food is in their cultures or lives. I love the smell, colours and buzz, I also love how the market vendors arrange their displays, their work can almost be considered an art of its own. Besides, market food stalls usually serve fresh, delicious and inexpensive food, so they are great places to grab quick bites too.
If you want to understand the culture and people of a country, skip the sightseeing, just go to the markets and absorb the atmosphere, watch the sellers and shoppers interact, it's so fascinating! Supermarkets thrive in the U.S. and U.K. because people are too lazy! The popularity of farmers markets in recent years has proved that people are finally changing their eating habits. Why do we buy unripe fruits and vegetables flown all the way from Kenya or India when we can buy fresh local produce at the markets?! It doesn't make sense. Let's all start supporting our local food markets instead of the large chained supermarkets!!
Wet and fruit markets in Hong Kong
Scandinavian style market in Stockholm
Indoor market in Bali
Borough market, London
The famous Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo
Dried fish in Dubai
Indoor market in Kyoto
Fruit and livestock in Oman
Food and shoes stalls sold altogether under the roof of Testaccio Market in Rome
Market style setting in the basement of a department store in Seoul
Bangkok
Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
Central market, Downtown Los Angeles
Seafood in Hokkaido
Batignolles organic market, Paris
Colourful indoor market in Saigon
Farmers market off Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles
Spices and fruits in Cairo
Farmer's market in Tokyo
Food & flowers in Brugge
An indoor market in Taipei
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