Foodle

HEAVEN

Tasting Menu @elcielomiami

My second visit to heaven was somehow better than the first.

The first time I experienced El Cielo, in Washington D.C., everything was technically flawless. The food was exceptional, the service impeccable, and the creativity impossible to ignore. Yet, as a Colombian, I left feeling like I had visited a beautiful interpretation of Colombia rather than Colombia itself.

This time, in Miami, something felt different.

The flavors carried a familiarity that only comes from understanding a place deeply. There were moments throughout the menu where I could taste not only ingredients, but memories. The spirit of Colombia was present in every course, not loudly, but confidently.

What I admire most about Juan Manuel Barrientos is that he doesn’t simply serve food. He orchestrates experiences. He challenges guests to abandon the rules they’ve spent a lifetime learning in fine dining. He invites you to get your hands dirty. To eat in ways that would normally earn you a raised eyebrow at the next table. To follow instinct instead of etiquette.

At one point, you’re encouraged to do exactly what many of us secretly want to do when something tastes extraordinary: forget the rules and simply enjoy it.

It’s playful. It’s liberating. And somehow, within the walls of a Michelin-starred restaurant, it feels completely natural.

El Cielo is a tribute to Colombia, but it’s also a tribute to curiosity. To childlike wonder. To the idea that hospitality extends far beyond what’s placed on a plate.

Yes, there are parts of the restaurant that feel a little dated. But great experiences have a way of making those details irrelevant.

Some restaurants feed you.

Others tell you a story.

El Cielo invites you to become part of one.

#miami#colombia#michelin#barranquilla#orlando Less

This should all be a contradiction in terms.

A tasting menu is the trust fall of fine dining and can carry a bill bigger than a car payment.

But at @ralphsonthepark , the annual summer deal of 3 apps and a glass of wine will run you $39.

You pick between 15 dishes. These are not “bites,”but full-fledged dishes, some approaching entree size.

A few carry a $3 up charge. But any way you cut it’s a great deal.

Two of us picked a total of six dishes, split everything and of course had cocktails before, and another glass of wine anyway.

It still ended up being a screaming value for the quality and what amounted to a dazzling culinary romp that showed a chef’s voice, that being Christopher Vazquez, who is really ramping up the idea of modern Creole here.

That’s just what a tasting menu should be — DIY or not.

Link in my bio has the full read on how the meal went and the best way to build yours from all the choices.

Photos and videos here by @cgranger and me

#wherenolaeats #igersneworleans #nolaeats #nolafoodie #midcitynola Less

octo.nyc has quietly become one of my favorite spots in Koreatown.

I’ve been back more times than I can count over the years, and every visit reminds me why I keep returning. The food is thoughtful, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the menu does a great job showcasing the unique intersection of Korean and Chinese cuisine through dishes that are both comforting and deeply satisfying.

At $58.95 per person, their tasting menu is one of the best deals in New York City. In a city where tasting menus seem to get more expensive by the day, it’s refreshing to find a restaurant that’s still delivering a full experience at a price that feels genuinely reasonable.

Most importantly, the food is just really good. This isn’t a place I recommend because it’s affordable. I recommend it because I genuinely enjoy eating here, and the value only makes it that much easier to come back.

If you haven’t been, put it on your list.

Swipe through to see the full tasting menu! Note: Dessert not included.

#octonyc #koreanchinese #ktownnyc #koreatownnyc Less

🚗 Escape the city with a drive out to Bucks County. Their stunning outdoor patio is open for the season in this beautiful farm land @thegreystone_newtown

Chef @chef_robert_mcnally creates seasonal farm to table menus. A hidden gem just 3 minutes from the Newtown borough with lots to do, this destination restaurant serves handmade pasta and luxurious American comfort food.

My favorites were the:

Shrimp Scamp Toast
Charred Caesar Salad (best I ever had)
Lollipop Lamb Chops
Dinner for 2 - Grilled Whole Sicilian Branzino Less

TRYING SHANGHAINESE CUISINE IN DENVER 🍜

📍 @fortunenongjiale is the sister spot to a staple of cherry creek @fortunewoktotable it’s a bit bigger in the Wash Park neighborhood with the same goal of bringing you straight to the streets of shanghai 👏

I even asked and they said they don’t consider themselves technically a chinese restaurant because they don’t include the vast flavors you’d find in different parts of China like szechuan instead it’s all intentional on bring homemade noodles, dumplings and big shared plates from shanghai specifically! 🙂‍↕️

If you know dumplings in denver fortune wok to table’s don’t miss and you can find those same one’s here 🫶

Make yourself a plate with all the goods so a little trip to shanghai right here in denver!

📍 @fortunenongjiale
500 E Alameda Ave
Denver, Co 80209

#denver #denvercolorado Less

Saitou's sushi is truly exceptional! ✨The way the rice falls apart, the harmony with the toppings, and even the temperature when it hits your mouth are all perfect. The tuna, in particular, was shockingly delicious, making me wonder, "Can sushi really taste this good?" It's no surprise that he is recognized as one of Japan's top sushi chefs, both domestically and internationally.The atmosphere in the restaurant is serene yet comfortable, and you can feel the soul put into each piece of sushi. It truly embodies the essence of craftsmanship. ✨Personally, I would say it goes beyond just being delicious; it's at a cultural heritage level.It was nothing short of national treasure-level sushi.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A must-try sushi at least once in your life."I believe this is one of the ultimate destinations for sushi lovers. ✨ Less