AMETSA WITH ARZAK INSTRUCTION RATING: 2/5 Replacing David Thompson’s Nahm at the Halkin Hotel is Ametsa, a spin-off restaurant by 3-Michelin-starred Arzak from San Sebastian, Spain. The team, comprised of Veuve Clicquot Best Female Chef Elena Arzak (2013), is in London on an “Instruction” basis – whatever that means. My lunch experience at Ametsa, however, …
Why not for the beginners… This is an “Intermediate” guide for aspiring fine diners visiting Japan. My “Intermediate” means something between knowing the basic (i.e. different types of Japanese cuisine, key produce+ingredients, dining etiquette) and not knowing all the cultural culinary anecdotes (i.e. meaning of signs on porcelain, food symbolism). This should be ideal, I …
City, culture(s) and HKK Despite my being harsh – you will see – I actually like HKK very much. I am talking a new concept modern Chinese restaurant in the City by Hakkasan Group that, contrary to Hakkasan, runs only a tasting menu. There is also no swanky bar featuring demure lighting. There is a bar, …
Another year (2013) When I feel Michelin (and the other Best Restaurant list) has become a little bit of banality, there is an explosion of findings on Twitter via Michelin’s own website of the results of Michelin London & UK 2013. No PR. No official release. Has Michelin just “leaked” its own results. Is this …
41° Experience There is so much brilliance I can recall about this meal, but I have decided not to put all into writing. Lazy blogger, no. Necessity, yes. The “elements of surprise” are crucial, according to FAQ. When it was first launched, 41° Experience (or 41 Grados) by El Bulli-famed Ferran and Albert Adria was …
Something very, very Ducasse-ian Knightsbridge has recently seen erected another luxury hotel Bvlgari (nearly opposite the pomp that is One Hyde Park) within which an Italian restaurant is contained. Its name “Il Ristorante” couldn’t have been simpler and more Italian. Its gastronomic offerings, interestingly enough, couldn’t have been more Ducasse-ian. First, the dining room is …