Kashiwaya - Osaka
Classic Japanese Kaiseki cuisine that keeps it interesting by including some unusual ingredients and spiciness. Unfortunately, while half the dishes were amazing, the other half was only so-so
Le Palais - Taipei
Taiwan’s first three-star restaurant serves classic Chinese banquet cuisine, but sadly only a few dishes were outstanding. Come with an appetite, since the tasting menus are large enough for two
Memories - Bad Ragaz
Wonderful seasonal Alpine cuisine that sources most ingredients locally or at least from Switzerland. Many excellent dishes, but also several where I felt the flavors were too muted, possibly a result of the time of year
Villa Crespi - Orta San Giulio
A tasting menu of deconstructed classic Italian dishes ended up containing more misses than hits. Together with a lackluster service, it made for a disappointing dinner
Uliassi - Senigallia
Located on Italy’s Adriatic coast, Uliassi offers a reinterpretation of the local cuisine. This included some excellent, solid three-star dishes, but unfortunately, none of them appeared on the tasting menu, which was not the best representation of what this kitchen is capable of
Aponiente - El Puerto de Santa Maria
A menu that takes virtually all ingredients from the ocean is an intellectual and culinary tour-de-force, and a foodie’s dream come true. The rest of us will get mostly excellent dishes, but also the occasional one that’s more experimental rather than tasty
schanz - Piesport
Delicious French cuisine that balances flavors and textures in every novel dish. The few culinary missteps are easy to ignore next to an interesting wine pairing and the warm welcome befitting a family-run enterprise
Boury - Roeselare
Wonderful French cuisine that is especially strong on the seafood dishes. With relaxed service and a generous wine paring, it’s worth the trip to Western Belgium
L'Enclume - Cartmel
Amazing seasonal farm-to-table cuisine in rural England that was delicious, inventive and surprisingly varied even in produce-starved December
Restaurant Überfahrt - Rottach-Egern
Modern, creative cuisine inspired by traditional German dishes and confections. Mostly good to very good, only the desserts were a bit of a letdown
Les Amis - Singapore
Classic French cuisine and service that were close to perfection, the best of our three meals in Singapore. However, entirely lacking a sense of place, none of the food indicated that we were not in France
Odette - Singapore
Modern French cuisine that uses some Asian ingredients, but stays away from other local techniques and spices. A great meal with excellent service and wine pairings
Zén - Singapore
Frantzén’s sister restaurant has the same delicious Scandinavian cuisine with (even more) Asian influences, but lacks the memorable open kitchen setting and punchy flavors of its Swedish sibling
Piazza Duomo - Alba
Modern Italian cuisine with Japanese influences, served in a mind-boggling number of individual dishes - some superb, some merely so-so
Enrico Bartolini al Mudec - Milan
Two terrific tasting menus, great wine pairings and excellent service make this modern Italian restaurant a must-visit in Milan
St. Hubertus - San Cassiano
Seasonal, local “mountain” cuisine from the Dolomites; excellent dishes that let the ingredients shine and conveyed a sense of time and place
Le Calandre - Rubano
An amazing risotto is only one reason among many to visit this excellent modern Italian restaurant near Padua. A choice of several tasting menus and great service make one want to return
Enoteca Pinchiorri - Florence
Classic Italian cuisine, very well executed, but short of a three-star level; a wine list that is both impressive and expensive
Osteria Francescana - Modena
One of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in the world. Unfortunately, an overuse of culinary trickery felt a bit forced, and led to a meal that was more experimental than delicious
Reale - Castel di Sangro
A vegetarian tasting menu full of unusual dishes. Sadly, for the most part weirdness trumped tastiness