Foodle

Delicious tarte tatin 🍎 @toumrotisserie, the new restaurant from the owners of @alinelebanesekitchen. Rotisserie chicken with very good frites and great toum (garlic sauce) / hummus 👌🏽/ musakhan rolls / bread / menu. An accessible price point considering the Mayfair location. Friendly service and top decor. #foodinlondon #toum #toum #toumlondon #toumrestaurant Less

Nine years ago, I cornered Grant Achatz in the middle of a New York restaurant to say hello, and he didn’t flinch when I loudly asked him, “Are you Grant uh-CAHTS?”. To make amends for butchering his name, I read his book. Twice. Two years later, when I needed to fly to Chicago to interview for graduate school, I picked my interview date based on when I could get a reservation at @nextchicago , which was serving an earlier @alinearestaurant menu (2011-2015), then proceeded not to attend a networking event at said school in favor of dinner.

Said school eventually did not extend an offer for admission, but Next kindly accommodated a solo diner and delivered an experience to remember. While the first thing I recall is @ed.tinoco inviting me, an unknown guest, to his gleaming kitchen, showing me my ticket, and astutely pointing out that I did not once get up from my seat to visit the bathroom, the second is the food: nineteen courses that deliver equal parts theater and elemental pleasure. I liked good theater, and still do, and while I cannot vouch for the state of Alinea today, my visit to Next is my closest analog. I do not doubt that Alinea’s spirit of innovation is alive and well. The ‘hot and cold’ potato would still hit hard, as would the Pollock-esque dessert course; both of them making diners like me feel like a real-life Charlie in Achatz’s Willy Wonka-esque gastronomic factory.

We deserve a restaurant like Alinea as much as we deserve chefs who keep pushing when the map says stop. So, two stars on a list; three stars in my book.

Photos are from my visit in Nov 2018. Less

September 3, 2025 our great privilege to attend the pre-opening of @restaurantmuku.nyc in Tribeca. Chef @chef_manabu.nyc ‘s new and exciting omakase entry into the highly competitive NYC dining scene. Little doubt the excellence and exclusivity of Muku will quickly propel it to one of NY’s most sought tables.

#newyorkcity #kumahospitality #omakase #newyorkfinedining #muku #thequest #foodlovers Less

August 27, 2025 Steps from the Marienplatz, Munich’s central square, you will find Tohru in der Schreiberei, one of the two newest ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Michelin restaurants in Germany. An amazing evening where Japanese traditions blend with modern German culinary touches. A huge surprise to see sommelier @chris.rainer who we met years ago at Rosa Alpina.

#munich #michelinmunich #michelingermany #michelinguide #michelin3stars⭐️⭐️⭐️ #michelinreataurants #myjourneywithmichelin #thequest #tohru #germanytravel #germany🇩🇪#mystorywithmichelin Less

August 26, 2025 Another visit to what we consider to be Paris’ best restaurant, @plenitude.paris . Chef @arnauddonckele, so sorry we missed you but your kitchen brigade did not miss a beat. @alexandrelarvoir - always great to see you; thanks especially for the extra trip to the roof, affording us the dramatic views of Paris’ greatest monuments illuminated in the evening.

#paris #parisrestaurant #france🇫🇷 #france #chevalblanc #michelinguide #michelin3stars⭐️⭐️⭐️ #michelin3star #michelinguidefrance #michelinparis #thequest #michelinfrance #thequest #mystorywithmichelin #instafood Less

Last weekend, we had a quick getaway to San Remo, Italy for lunch with a friend, @lukelombardo2.0.

We did some shopping first. The restaurant was terrific, called @picocentrale. Our friend had gone there days before to talk to the owner, Gianmarco, and the chef, Giuseppe, and entreat them to have porcinis, which are just coming into season.

They had some just for us, which Luke suggested we have fried. They were otherworldly, their crunchy crust sealing in the aromatic flesh, which had become molten and custardy like marrow.

Gianfranco showed us the white truffles—also just in season— they had on hand and who could resist? Shaved truffle slices rained over bowls of buttered fresh tagliolini (they weigh the truffle before and after so they know what to charge), and if there’s a finer dish to be had, I’ve not yet encountered it.

Pico Centrale is a real find (locals know to go in the fall and winter to avoid summertime tourist mobs), so don’t miss it on your next trip to San Remo.

PS: There is a terrific designer outlet outside of town, and I’m still bitter about being talked out of a 700€ Burberry trench in May. 🤩

#sanremo #weekendgetaway #porcini #expat #expatlife Less

**Ry & Howie’s – Medford, NJ 🥖🔥**

It hasn’t been around forever, but **Ry & Howie’s** in **Medford** has that *instant classic* feel. A buddy mentioned it a few years back, and ever since, it’s been one of those reliable spots that hits every time. The guys behind it are **restaurant pros** who know exactly how to deliver Philly-style comfort food with precision and flavor.

Finally tried their **chicken cheesesteak** — every bit as strong as their **roasted pork** and **cheesesteak**, all of which easily rank among the best I’ve had in South Jersey. Also took home an **Italian hoagie**, which never disappoints. Word is they’re **expanding to Glassboro**, and **Rowan students** are about to score big.

The setup is classic: small kitchen, a few tables, mostly takeout, but everyone works like clockwork. No gimmicks, just pure execution. If you’re chasing the real deal in **NJ or the Philly burbs**, this belongs on your shortlist.

#SouthJerseyEats #MedfordNJ #CheesesteakLovers #ChickenCheesesteak #HoagieTime #PhillyEats #RoastedPork #EatLocal #FoodieFinds #DelValEats #RyAndHowies #JerseyFoodie Less

April 25, 2025 A picture perfect afternoon in the French Basque region, just over the border from San Sebastián at Ekaitza, one of France’s newest Michelin 2 ⭐️ restaurants.

#michelin2stars #michelin2stars⭐️⭐️ #michelin #frenchbasquecountry #frenchbasquefood #ekaitza #thequest #cibourefrance #ciboure #mystorywithmichelin Less

March 9, 2025 A last minute change of flights afforded us the opportunity to dine again with @chef_ken_ichiro at Chateau Robuchon. One last fantastic meal and one final glimpse of Tokyo Tower 🗼 on our way to Haneda airport ✈️ for the 11pm flight back to JFK.

#michelin #michelin3stars⭐️⭐️⭐️ #michelin3stars #robuchon #robuchon_tokyo #thequest #tokyo #japan #ebisugardenplace #ebisu #instagram #instajapan🇯🇵 #mystorywithmichelin Less