Michelin Guide Singapore is Here

Singapore, July 2016 – The Michelin stars have arrived in the Lion City at last!  The Inaugural (First Edition) Michelin Guide for Singapore was released last night, and stars were awarded to a number of fine dining as well as hawker food restaurants. The Michelin stars went to 29 establishments in Singapore.  Only one restaurant…

Narisawa‘s Satoyama Cuisine

Tokyo, June 2016 – The culinary philosophy of 2-Michelin star Narisawa (#8 -World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 & #2 – Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016) is based on the lifestyle known as Satoyama. “Responding to the four seasons, the severe changes between them, understanding this environment, and living our lives taking only the most necessary…

Tempura Kondo

Tokyo, June 2016 – “If Tempura Kondo is good enough for Prime Minister Abe, it is good enough me!” – joked Mr. King.   It was rumored the 2-Michelin star Tempura Kondo was in fact, Abe’s first choice restaurant for hosting American President Obama on his visit to Tokyo. We were curious and luckily got a…

Mrs. King Dreams of Jiro Sushi

Tokyo, June 2016 – I finally made it to the most famous sushi restaurant in the world – Sukiyabashi Jiro in Ginza. It was an experience of a lifetime: 1) Jiro’s omakase was exquisite, 2) Watching the masterful Chef Jiro Ono craft each sushi was a graceful performance in itself, 3) A privilege to eat sushi…

Shinji at St. Regis

Singapore – Another sushi lunch with another sushi-addict friend! In my post “Shinji by Kanesaka” (#32 Asia’s Best Restaurants 2015), I mentioned that Shinji is my favorite sushiya in Singapore. Its sister sushiya – Shinji at St. Regis (newly minted One Michelin star in July 2016) – is another favorite of mine. We were lucky to…

Mr. & Mrs. Vigné’s PfefferSchiff

Salzburg, June 2015 – Our most idyllic Austrian gourmet dinner was at Pfefferschiff (meaning “Pepper Ship”) in Söllheim, about 15 minutes from UNESCO World Heritage City, Salzburg. Chef Jürgen Vigné and Iris are the husband and wife team behind this sublime, yet very relaxed restaurant. On a breezy summer evening, Mr. King and I arrived at the…

Romantic Tuscan Restaurants

Florence – While reminiscing about romantic Italian dinners, memories of our dining experiences at La Loggia and Enoteca Pichiorri came to mind. What made them memorable? Ambience, Elegance and Tranquility. The Tuscan cuisine was delicious, but we were intoxicated by the sheer ambience (romance in the air) that made them so extraordinary to Mr. King…

FOC by Nandu Jubany

Singapore, May 2016 – According to our Spanish friends, FOC makes the best pulpo (octopus) tapas in Singapore. Mr. King and I finally made it to this very happening tapas bar last weekend. “FOC Restaurant, is a collaboration between Michelin-Starred Chef Nandu Jubany, Chef Jordi Noguera and award-winning mixologist Dario Knox.  At FOC you will…

Ginza Sushi Ichi, Singapore

Singapore, April 2016 –.  Last week, I visited Ginza Sushi Ichi  (newly minted One Michelin star in July 2016 and the Singapore outpost of  Michelin 1-star Sushiichi in Tokyo) for lunch with my friend (a sushi-addict like me).  It was superb! We selected the Tokusen Nigiri set – 10 pieces of sushi, miso soup and dessert. Sushi…

First Time at Sushi-Ichi

Singapore, September 2013 – Over the past few years, a number of gourmet Japanese restaurants have sprung up in the Lion City. The latest comer is Michelin 1-star Sushi-Ichi, which hails from Ginza, Tokyo. Sushi-ichi takes pride in being “the first in Singapore to offer an exquisite degustation menu featuring top-tier Kyoto Kaiseki, complimented with…

Bobby Bräuer’s EssZimmer

Munich, June 2015 – Who would have thought that one of Munich’s finest restaurants is above a car showroom? The Michelin 2-star EssZimmer by Bobby Bräuer is nested inside BMW Welt, the state-of-the art exhibition facility showcasing the latest BMW automobiles. The futuristic architecture of BMW Welt alone was impressive enough. Mr. King and I visited…

Pascal Barbot at BLU

Singapore, April 2016 – Our dinner at “Pascal Barbot at BLU” must be one of our best meals in Singapore so far this year. His 3-Michelin star restaurant- L’Astrance in Paris is #36 of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015, and Chef Pascal  is known for his modern take on French cuisine. Mr. King and…