Jean-Benoit Geeraert

Top 10 of 2024, at number 5,

We’re entering the top 5 this year with a surprise.

This year, we ended up at Arabelle Meirlaen’s restaurant by chance, but that same coincidence gifted us with a stunning meal and experience!

Her purist cuisine embodies gastronomy at the highest level, transforming home-grown vegetables and exquisite ingredients into refined dishes.

One dish stood out above the rest: Freshness of Gambero Rosso di Mazara.

Lightly cooked Gambero Rosso, with its shell fried to a crisp, served alongside a quenelle made from the bisque of the Gambero Rosso. Accompanied by yacon, onion with Gambero Rosso oil, and a confit of yellow beets.

The Gambero Rosso is such a noble product and one of my favorite flavor carriers. The way it was presented here still lingers in my mind—pure class!

.⁣ Michelin Guide : ⭐️
. G&M : 18/20
.⁣ OAD top 100 : -

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#arabellemeirlaen #marchin #gamberorosso #bisque #mazara #michelin #gaultetmillau #world50best #oadtop100 #wbpstars #worldofmouth #foodphotography #gastronomy #bruges #art #instagram Less

Top 10 of 2024, at number 6

The Discovery of the Year

Undoubtedly, the discovery of the year was restaurant L’Arborescence. Just a stone’s throw from Kortrijk, in the most unassuming location, you’ll find this gem!

Chef Felix and his partner Nidta deliver a phenomenal blend of French precision with Asian flair. With previous experience at Grénouillère, Troisgros, and Ryugin, you can expect top-level expertise—and that’s exactly what you get.

The menu is truly unique, showcasing bold flavors and daring combinations—exactly what we love!

The highlight for me was the dish centered around sea urchin from Brittany:

Mushroom and sea urchin gently warmed, draped with sea urchin jus and Sherry vinegar, served with freshly baked spiced bread.

Sea urchin is a challenging ingredient as its flavor can easily overpower a dish. However, the way the flavors were constructed and balanced here was absolutely mind-blowing!

A restaurant with immense potential for the future—don’t miss out!

Photo by @florian_dmrg

@felixrobert_ @nidta_p.echanson

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.⁣ Michelin Guide : ⭐️
. G&M : 15/20
.⁣ OAD top 100 : -
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#michelin #gaultetmillau #world50best #oadtop100 #wbpstars #worldofmouth #foodphotography #gastronomy #edensvelvet #art #instagram #restaurantarborescence #lille #cuisine #restaurantlille #restaurantgastronomique #guidemichelin #gaultetmillau #omnivore #fooding #oursintiédeur Less

Top 10 of 2024, at number 7

On Christmas Day, we return to Paris for our number 7 of 2024! Overall, our visit to the acclaimed Plénitude by chef Arnaud Donckele was one of the most complete experiences we’ve had.

When it comes to gastronomy, opinions often differ—there are supporters and critics, and not every type of cuisine suits everyone’s taste. Plénitude, however, is the exception to this rule. Everyone who has been here sings its praises, and I fully understand why.

If there were to be a blueprint for the ultimate three-star restaurant, this would undoubtedly be the prime example—a place where everything comes together perfectly, with the experience taking center stage. The fact that their menu revolves around sauce as the central theme makes it all the more fascinating.

Perhaps surprisingly, the dish that stayed with me the most was based on sardines:

Sardine whispers fused with fennel and tarragon: Eden’s Velvet

An extraordinary masterpiece by a brilliant chef!

Thanks to @jayduboulay and @joshjosephson for the lovely and most entertaining company!

📷 : @plenitude.paris

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.⁣ Michelin Guide : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
. G&M : 19/20
.⁣ OAD top 100 : 1 (classical)
. W50Best : 12

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#plénitude #chevalblancparis #arnaudonckele #paris #sardine #michelin #gaultetmillau #world50best #oadtop100 #wbpstars #worldofmouth #foodphotography #gastronomy #edensvelvet #art #instagram Less

Top 10 of 2024, at number 8

Although I am primarily a fan of a progressive and modern culinary experience, in recent years, I’ve felt an increasing need to revisit the classics!

Many top restaurants now offer a beautiful à la carte selection, and it’s fun to incorporate these into the dining experience.

At the end of this year, I had the pleasure of dining with Martijn Defauw at De Jonkman, and we happened to visit at just the right time of year to include the Hazenrug Harlequin (saddle of hare) in our menu.

Chef Filip Claeys is renowned for his classic preparations, and this dish was simply outstanding! Perfectly cooked saddle of hare served with two sauces whose blend created a harmonious spectacle, accompanied by fresh fries, cranberries, and applesauce.

A classic that left a lasting impression!

📷 credits @dejonkman

.⁣ Michelin Guide : ⭐️⭐️
. G&M : 18/20
.⁣ OAD top 100 : -

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#dejonkman #filipclaeys #brugge #northseachefs #hare #harlequin #michelin #gaultetmillau #world50best #oadtop100 #wbpstars #worldofmouth #foodphotography #gastronomy #bruges #art #instagram Less

Top 10 of 2024 at number 10

To kick off the 2024 Top 10 list, we head to Switzerland, where chef Sven Wassmer has turned Restaurant Memories at Bad Ragaz into a true culinary destination.

Amid this intimate dining experience, one dish left an unforgettable impression: Knöpfli, Swiss dumplings elevated with roasted yeast and truffle.

Drawing inspiration from his deep-rooted connection to nature and his childhood in Switzerland, Wassmer reimagines this humble classic. By infusing it with luxurious elements, he creates a dish that pays homage to his hometown while delivering a sensational interplay of flavors.

A masterpiece that distills tradition into a cloud of velvety perfection!

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.⁣ Michelin Guide : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
. G&M : 18/20
.⁣ OAD top 100 : 12

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#restaurantmemories #svenwassmer #badragaz #badragazresort #michelin #gaultetmillau #world50best #oadtop100 #wbpstars #worldofmouth #foodphotography #gastronomy #truffle #art #instagram Less

@hetnonnetje in Harderwijk, The Netherlands is now (re)published on our website. This 2* restaurant has been part of the highest-rated kitchens in the Netherlands for years. Chef Michel van der Kroft draws inspiration from Portugal, and this love & passion positively influences the tasting experience. His immense respect for craftsmanship and tradition is embedded in his cooking style. He is also one of the country’s foremost artisans, giving classic preparations an extra dimension. Article via link in bio! #Nonnetje #TNonnetje Less

Our feature on the 2-Michelin-starred @inter_scaldes is now live! 🍽️🌟 Recently taken over by the talented @jachtien & @sanneachtien, this iconic destination has been reimagined into a captivating blend of fine dining and luxurious hospitality. 🛎️ From exquisite dishes to an unforgettable stay, this is a culinary journey you don’t want to miss. 🔗 Read the full story via the link in bio! Less

LIDO 84

I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect wedding week on the shores of Lake Garda, topped off with an incredible ending at @ristorantelido84!

I’ve always been fascinated by the little tower on the water, so we booked the ‘Torre’ for our venue, and I highly recommend it for an amazing experience. This cozy and private spot feels like an idyllic retreat within the iconic restaurant itself, offering breathtaking views and luxurious serenity.

Riccardo Camanini is a true artisan. His ability to create such high-quality dishes with immense technique in this stunning setting is pure art. There are so many standout dishes that even the world-famous cacio e pepe faces stiff competition!

The hospitality provided by Giancarlo, his brother, matches the excellence of the cuisine. It was again brilliant from start to finish... Grazie Mille! ⁣

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.⁣ .⁣ Michelin Guide : ⭐️
.⁣ W50best : 7
.⁣ OAD top 100 : 13
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#lido84 #camanini #riccardocamanini #giancarlocamanini #gardone #gardoneriviera #costata #costatallabrace #identitagolose #ambasciatoridelgusto #michelinstar #oadtop100 #oad #world50best #instafood #foodstagram #cacioepepe #garda #art #worldofmouth #wbpstars #lagodigarda Less

MoS Ristorante

Hidden Gem alert!

At the charming harbor of Desenzano, on the shores of Lake Garda, lies Restaurant MoS, where Chef Stefano Zanini works his culinary magic.

Amidst bustling tourist spots, Stefano innovatively interprets culinary traditions, breaking barriers and redefining possibilities.

Inspired by the rhythms of nature, he transforms local seasonal ingredients into vibrant dishes that capture the essence of the moment, infused with intuition and charisma.

The daily menu at MoS draws from the ever-changing flavors of Lake Garda, celebrating its abundant gifts anew each day.

Embracing the elements of water and earth, MoS serves as a sacred bridge, honoring nature’s essence through spontaneous and respectful cooking.

Despite the lake’s modest offerings during our visit, the meal was both inspiring and delicious, showcasing Stefano’s impeccable technique and his unique fusion of Italian and other culinary influences.

MoS is an exhilarating dining destination that promises a memorable experience. You won’t be disappointed! A mostly unknown gem with incredible potential!

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.⁣ Michelin Guide : -
. W50Best : -
.⁣ OAD top 100 : -

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#mosristorante #stefanozanini #michelin #gaultetmillau #world50best #oadtop100 #wbpstars #worldofmouth #foodphotography #lakegarda #desenzanodelgarda #italytravel #gastronomy #art #instagram #brescia Less

@svenwassmer_memories, located at @resortragaz, is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a memorable culinary experience. This restaurant combines uncompromising product quality, style, and purism to create a place of culinary joy that returns to the origin of gastronomy. Chef @svenwassmer’s new Swiss alpine cuisine offers authentic fine dining dishes that are intricately linked to nature, making for a tasting menu full of sensory impressions that will stay with you long after you leave. Article via link in bio! #BadRagaz #GrandResortBadragaz #Memories #svenwassmer #wassmermemories Less