Foodle

A few weeks ago, I included Claudio’s Ristorante in a pizza roundup story for Vancouver Sun and The Province pizza. Now, I circle back — Claudio’s deserves a couple of thumbs up for its pastas, too. The dough is made fresh daily with sensitivity and understanding of its sometimes fickle nature and transforms it into satisfying dishes like the single raviolo with truffle ricotta and egg yolk or trofie, a Ligurian pasta that’s rolled and rustically twisted — the pesto sauce on it was perfectly balanced. Cappalletti (hat-shaped) squid-ink pasta with a cream sauce, tagliatelle bolognese with pork shoulder, prosicutto, mortadella, precorino and grana padana — mwah!
The restaurant’s operated by the two sons of Claudio Magagnin who operated Pasta Amore in Burnaby until 2021.

#burnabyrestaurants #pasta Less

A peek at Red & the Wolf, now open in Clawson, one of the 17 bars, restaurants and cafes that opened in Metro Detroit in October 2025. Pictured are not giant mozzarella sticks but incredible sous vide Szechuan spare ribs with a peppercorn/cinnamon/sugar dry rub that I won’t soon forget. Lots of vegan stuff here, too. Read the full list of this month’s openings and closings at Detroit News - link in bio 🐺🍖 @redandthewolfclawson #clawson #detroitrestaurants #newrestaurant #spareribs 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

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

Discovering Authentic Flavors at Mr. Lin Authentic Chinese
I recently stumbled upon Mr. Lin Authentic Chinese in the Rivermont Shopping Center, the only stretch of Holcomb Bridge Road that falls within Johns Creek. To my surprise, this hidden gem offers a delightful experience with authentic Chinese cuisine and American-Chinese as well. The boiled fish (swai or sole) and dumplings were very dishes, comparable to my favorites along Medlock Bridge though not quite as great. But it’s a notch above the nearby Four Seasons, known for its mix of American-Chinese and sprinkling of authentic options.

Authenticity and Americanized
As the name suggests, Mr. Lin provides more authentic offerings than Four Seasons. The restaurant came under new ownership in November of last year, though the exact timing of the name change remains unclear. Interestingly, the menu still features "Yummy Top" in parentheses, a curious choice given Yummy Top's not-so-stellar reputation. However, don't let this deter you—if you sort reviews by the most recent on Yelp, you'll find that all feedback since the management change has been positive. So, focus on the current experience rather than past ratings.

A Bustling Spot
I visited around 1:45 PM, and the place was buzzing with customers. I'm eager to see how Mrs. Grubber will react to their extensive menu catering to her gringo palate. I enjoy American-Chinese too and in fact, there is a bigger void for that than the real thing.

Maybe it’s appropriate that East Roswell’s best Asian option is in fact on the edge of Johns Creek in the one shopping center that is bordered by HBR.

Have you tried Mr. Lin yet? Share your thoughts!

#AuthenticChinese #JohnsCreekEats #HiddenGem #FoodieFinds #AtlantaEats #EastRoswellDining #BoiledFish #DumplingsGalore #MrLinExperience Less

🌳🌳LITTLE PUB IN THE WOODS @dew_drop_hurley

We were kindly invited for a lunch at The Dew Drop Inn recently, and we already cant wait to return! The chef kindly prepared us a few dishes to share and there is not a single thing we didnt enjoy:

Oxtail hash with aoli, fresh break with mackerel pate, the flakyest fish and chips with home made tartar sauce, Cape Malay Lamb Bobotie (a South African curry) and Truffle mac and cheese. For desert we were treated to affogato and sticky toffee pudding!

The curry, mac and cheese and the sticky toffee were particular highlights!!

Sarah, Marius and the team were so friendly and welcoming, and have adopted some local cats and a dog which of course (being cat parents ourselves) we loved! 🌳🌳 Less

🥐☕️COFFEE & CROISSANT! (Or if you're me, vanilla latte & ham and cheese croissant!) @mocandmore

Had this deliciousness a few weeks ago when a bestie came to visit the new digs! Loving local new spots to try!

Where shall I try next?☕️🥐

#flackwellheath #bourneend #marlow #beaconsfield Less