Tresind Revisited.
When I first started this blog back in 2016, Tresind was one of the first ‘big’ fine dining experiences I had in Dubai (read my original review, here). I was struck by the creativity, which is also echoed in the sister restaurant, Carnival by Tresind, which not only takes gastronomy to new levels, but also frequently changes the entire menu. However, on some retrospection, I realized while the food at Tresind stood the test of time (mushroom chai, anyone?), the former experience did not. The too low ceilings, dated decor, and children screaming throughout the venue (even late on a Friday night) did not, in my opinion, equate to an authentic fine dining experience. Thus, I was excited to hear about the refurbishment and refresh for Tresind. Hubs and I, finally free from jet lag, chose a recent Saturday night to check out the new experience. Stepping off the elevator,…
The Ledbury** London: A lovely long lunch.
When planning our recent vacation, realizing we would have a few hours in London, I knew I had to get my priorities straight, starting with where to eat. As I polled various foodie friends who had been through the city, I received a number of suggestions, but one was listed over and over again — The Ledbury. Thus, like any good global food lover, I watched the reservation window and pounced on an appointment for a long lunch on our one full afternoon in the city. Given our short stay in London (under 48 hours), I had booked a hotel in nearby Notting Hill — The Laslett (more on that experience later). I chose the property primarily because of its location, thus, we could easily stroll to lunch. Hubs and I lucked out for our brief visit, and had a clear walk to make our 1:15 reservation. Interested in the…
Eventide Oyster Co.: Worth waiting for.
After a very disappointing visit to next door Hugo’s (who have the same owners), we stopped the following evening at Eventide Oyster Co., one of the premiere and most well-known restaurants in Portland, Maine. My sister knows the deal, and even with a wait time of 90 minutes (be assured that during peak season this will probably be the case, if not longer), knew our dinner would be worth the wait. Fortunately for us, my sister, an excellent hostess, suggested a quick walk over to one of Portland’s many bars, and we enjoyed a pre-dinner cocktail at Portland Hunt + Alpine Club (another establishment well worth stopping by). There are no reservations taken at Eventide, but the wait staff take phone details and will text you when your table is almost ready. We timed it perfectly and, after some bar snacks and cocktails, waited less than 5 minutes for our…
Don’t Call Me an Influencer: My thoughts on the upcoming UAE social media influencer rules.
Before June, and perhaps, before the industry changes forever, let’s clear the air. First of all, I’ve never considered myself an Influencer. I don’t categorize myself as one, and I’ve never set out to become one. I have spoken about this differentiation to both private and public groups, on panels and to various audiences. I know who the influencers are in the world of F&B in the UAE, and for many reasons, we are in separate categories. If we’re getting into semantics, I would most closely identify as a food writer or food blogger. And for the record, I’m not addressing fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or fitness influencers — my comments are solely focused on food and travel. Although you might find this difficult to believe, when I’m invited to a restaurant, it is rarely with specific deliverables. I have cultivated good relationships within the industry, and don’t have to spell…
It’s all in the details; why Hōseki is one of my top dining experiences in the UAE.
After my enjoyable visit to the Yacht Club earlier in the year, I was more than excited to return to Bulgari. In fact, I enjoy the hotel so much, I arrived early, just so I could do a bit of people watching in the luxe lobby. Grant me this tendency, as I wrote a novel set at a fictional hotel (available for purchase here). At the designated time of my reservation, I was shown to the dedicated lift to Hōseki (Japanese for ‘jewel,’ in case you were wondering) and up to the fourth floor I was whisked. Greeted warmly by name, one of the traditionally attired servers escorted me to the dining room, while explaining the history of the chef. Entering through the traditional noren, the interior of the restaurant matches the overall Bulgari aesthetic, done in cool black marble, with large windows overlooking the private beach and skyline of Dubai. The…
Mint Leaf of London: Chef Pradeep shines.
There probably isn’t a restaurant that has been on my ‘need to review’ list longer than Mint Leaf of London. Having enjoyed our last trip to the Emirates Financial Tower, Hubs and I were happy to return to visit Chef Pradeep (who was the genius behind a memorable lunch at Jodphur), who has recently taken over the helm at Mint Leaf of London. Having seen a number of ‘grammable options in my feed, I wondered if the food would match the photos. Dodging a bit of Friday night construction in the lobby of Emirates Financial Towers, we made our way to the 16th floor and once inside, to our right into the dining room of the restaurant. Whereas the upstairs neighbors are in desperate need of an overhaul, Mint Leaf has a modern design, complete with an open kitchen. There is a good ratio of servers to diners, such that no one is…
Librije’s Zusje**
“Distinctive. Contemporary. Ingredients from around the world blended with the finest produce from local farmers. Executive Chef Sidney Schutte will take you on a vibrant culinary journey.” While I’ve been super fortunate to tick off some of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017, I’ve been a bit neglectful on the Michelin side of the house. With a less than memorable visit to Zass in April, my appetite was more than ready for a memorable Michelin star experience. Fortunately, Librije’s Zusje stepped up and ensure my belief in the iconic ratings system once again. As a bit of a late addition to our trip, I only managed to secure a lunch booking — but in all honesty, this reservation worked out for the best, and I would highly recommend the daytime experience. Located in the stunning Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, the venue is a private space, with views onto one…
La Tablita: Mex-i-can!
When an invite to La Tablita came through (via Instagram — gotta love modern technology), as an admitted fan of Mexican food, I was delighted to accept. While it’s rare I visit this area of town (Healthcare City, specifically the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creekside), there was enough to capture my interest, and hey, on a Saturday night, the trip from my neighborhood is only 20 minutes or so (I always think it’s going to take longer). I’ll also be upfront and say that in my research, I expected to have a relatively average meal and be on my way (yup, I’m completely pre-judged the restaurant). I couldn’t have been more wrong. In fact, if you read no further, just know that La Tablita is the best Mexican in the UAE (beating out Loca, Zoco, and Muchachas, the latter two by a significant margin). The interior definitely lets you know you’re…
Sühring: #13 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Where to begin? As I’m sure you’ve gathered by now, in a city like Bangkok, visitors are absolutely spoiled for new, exciting and modern restaurants, from fine dining to street food (and just about everything in between). Previous to dining at Sühring, I hadn’t heard much about the venue, only that it was vaguely in the genre of ‘modern German’ (and what modern German is doing in Bangkok is a wonderful example of how creative the culinary scene in Thailand is). More formally: Sühring showcases the best of modern German fare inspired by childhood memories, family recipes and years of travelling experience combining the essence of traditional dishes with contemporary Central European influences. All elevated to the level of haute cuisine. Mathias, Thomas and the Sühring team invite their guests to their home, offering a warm hospitality in a relaxed, yet elegant environment. Sühring is situated in an old 70’s…