Luna Pasta e Dolci has all the makings of a beloved gem that could easily become a regular dining destination.
The culinary experience at Nimo was nothing short of excellent featuring an eclectic menu from Spanish, Greek, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisines.
Oise Ristorante fuses traditional elements of Italian and Japanese cuisine, showcasing an exploration of imaginative flavours.
Entre Nos is a gastronomic venture that promises to be a unique blend of flavours and artistry, showcasing a hyper seasonal selection of, predominantly sourced ingredients from Florida.
Schnitzel House captures the essence of German tradition with a twist and more modern flair.
Lurra in Kyoto’s culinary landscape offers an exquisite fusion of freshness and excitement in every bite.
Oiji Mi is a must-visit destination with exceptional cuisine and impeccable hospitality. You will be enchanted by their creativity, skill, and attention to detail.
Joliet is a more sophisticated spot than the majority in South Beach, and their Southern-inspired menu and hospitality were delightful and fun.
The Eating House debuts its much anticipated new location in Coral Gables, it showcases a creative, tantalizing mix and interplay of brilliant dishes.
Recommend in the new Canadian Michelin Guide and recommend enthusiastically by me!
This restaurant was just named by Infatuation and Eater as one of the best new restaurants in Miami. You can add my name to that list as well.
The chef uses luxe ingredients from Southern California or imports them from places like Haikodo Japan and using skillful technique and glorious presentations, along with genuine hospitality and gracious service, it was a memorable meal indeed.
San Francisco has more than its fair share of fine dining and delicious experiences, but you have to make an investment in hard earned dollars to attend one of these tasting extravaganzas. One place that just might be worth it, is Saison.
I’m not a big fan of hotel restaurants but what made TRUSS stand out was the executive chef was in residence and cooking in the kitchen. 3 Michelin- starred chef Erik Anderson, formerly of Coi in San Francisco, has taken on an all day menu which is no easy task.
Exciting news! Following much anticipation, the Four Seasons has finally opened their property in Calistoga at 400 Silverado Trail, Napa Valley. A stay here is a one of a kind experience: An inviting hideaway offering a superior level of comfort.
San Francisco is one of the culinary epicenters of the Americas. Some would argue, including myself, that it is THE best food region in the United States. Quince Restaurant is a perfect example.
I encourage all my fellow foodies to make the pilgrimage to SingleThread Farms in Sonoma for a truly unforgettable experience in one of the most talked-about restaurants in America.
Miami’s most anticipated restaurant, Carbone, recently opened its doors. If you are lucky enough to score a reservation, make sure to come hungry to enjoy the robust and vibrant food.
I think Chef Morimoto has a winning formula with Momosan Ramen and Sake Izakaya, which recently opened in the Wynwood district of Miami. It’s a crowd-pleaser, with inspiring dishes, attentive service, and a cool atmosphere.
Dova is Toronto’s newest restaurant, located at 229 Carlton Street in Cabbagetown, near Carlton and Parliment St. Some of you may be very familiar with chef Marotta from his other established restaurant Ardo. The food here is similar to Ardo. They serve delicious artisanal pastas, woodfire pizzas, fresh caught fish and ethically sourced meats. The food is reflective of the chef’s family Sicilian heritage. The chef has a deep connection to Sicilian and Mediterranean food, thanks to the influence of his mother’s cooking.
Boia De Restaurant in Miami is punctuated by beautiful presentations, an excellent ingredient-driven menu, and warm friendly service. The place might be tiny but they are working at a higher level than most.
At the Charter Oak Restaurant in Napa, California almost everything they serve, they grow. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the bounty of the region, and to dine with a family or group of friends. Enthusiastically recommend!
SolBar in Calistoga, California is a quiet, romantic and attractive restaurant, with a wonderful dining experience ripe with the flavours of summer.
There is reason Langdon Hall Dining Room in Cambridge, Ontario has garnered much acclaim, there is thought behind every dish and dining is a major event here. Definitely a culinary destination experience.
The food at Adele’s Restaurant in Nashville was simple and seasonal, sourced from local farms and purveyors, and is well executed. Every member of the staff was genuinely warm, welcoming and hospitable.
Silverlake Bistro is our new go-to place in Miami for an insanely good meal that is moderately priced and served with a genuine smile. They use quality ingredients and flavours that had our taste buds dancing.
Miami recently got a California import, Malibu Farm at the Eden Roc Hotel. A lovely whitewashed setting, with wooden tables and cozy banquets, a wooden deck, a retractable roof, and views overlooking the expansive beach, and blue waters.
Back by popular demand, my personal favourite list of Miami restaurants for 2018/2019 in no particular order, as well as new openings I want to try.
Not all my reviews are about the latest hotspot. Occasionally I like to write about a tried and true winner. One such place is the Spotted Pig in New York’s West Village. It just may be New York’s most famous gastropub.
1-800-Lucky in Wynwood, Miami is a buzzing marketplace is already a hangout for locals and tourists alike. It has always been difficult to find good Asian food. Now you can find it under one roof. Just be prepared for crowding and lineups. But that makes it part of the fun.
Just when you thought you were all caught up with the latest restaurants in Miami, here comes a new list to keep you busy this season. Watch for my upcoming reviews.
Toronto’s Aloette is a neighbourhood bistro that’s been packed from day one, and for good reason. The food was reasonably priced for the exceptional quality.
Toronto’s La Palma is a new fun restaurant with respectable food.
The menu is Italian at heart with a California sensibility.
Since returning to Toronto from Miami, one of my most anticipated new restaurant openings has been La Banane. In a few short months it has become Toronto’s “it” restaurant.
The emphasis is on fresh, local, simply prepared food. The menu changes on a whim, so you may not find a favourite dish again but you will certainly be surprised and pleased at the offerings.
It is simply amazing what the kitchen can do with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seed, flowers and seaweed. Is it for everyone? No, but you will get an unexpected array of foods you never thought possible made with masterpiece presentations in a tranquil oasis.
Bazaar Mar by Jose Andres at SLS Brickell offers a vibrant overwhelming mix of sophisticated and whimsical cuisine, in a playful, Mediterranean interior. The emphasis is on fresh fish from local and Caribbean waters. It is a meal to remember.
Upland Miami is an offshoot of the New York restaurant with the same name by restauranteur Stephen Starr and his Chef Justin Smillie of Il Buco. At Upland the food showcases Smillie’s rustic/comfort food and seasonally influenced fare.
Glass and Vine in Coconut Grove was created by Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli, a James Beard Award nominee and winner of the Food Network’s show, Chopped, and Grove Bay Hospitality Group. The indoor/outdoor 200 seat restaurant is located in the heart of Peacock Park.
The restaurant has a nice ambience with dark green leather banquettes, navy lacquered painted ceilings, and copper shelves stocked with backlit wine bottles and jars of preserved lemons. The menu is large with lots of choices. It is divided into pizza, one: small plates, two: pastas, three: mains, and vegetables.
Hidden in a dingy market where the staff is not so friendly and the place has lots of rules – no phones, no takeaway, no second orders – the Chef works sushi wonders.
The best rolls for me weren’t even on the menu but thanks to an insider I knew what to order. Now I can share this information with you …
I am apologizing in advance to everyone who will be upset when I tell them I have never been a fan of the James Beard award-winning Chef, Michael Schwartz. I have never found his food that appealing to me. I have also never cared much for his two other restaurants in the Design District.
After three weeks of continuously eating Indian food while in India we desperately were ready to try a Western meal. We went to TheTable on our last night in India. It was the only time we dined outside of a hotel and we felt comfortable doing so. It is located in the Kalapesi Trust building, not too far from the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.
Of course everyone wants to try The French Laundry at least once in your life. So go ahead, beg your concierge or use a connection to try and get you in. We have been twice and I wouldn’t go back again.