Momofuku Ko by The (amazing) Girl Who Ate Everything – they might be the last (and definitely the best) pictures of a Ko meal since photos are now prohibited. It’s (obviously) not a policy I agree with. I’ll stick to Momofuku noodle bar or Ssam for my NYC trip in August.

Combal.Zero by Opinionated About – I’m sure most of you read the OA blog too but I’ll link to it anyways – modern Italian food – that even Steve likes. Will Obama pick Jeb Bush to be his running mate?

Facil by very good food – I’ll be the first to admit that Germany doesn’t hold much interest for me (despite being of German ancestry, driving a Porsche, and drinking German rieslings as my go-to wine) but Trine’s excellent photos and write-up make me want to re-consider visiting Germany. I would probably rent a 911 Turbo and drive up and down the Autobahn all day at 190mph; and then adjourn for dinner around 8pm, if I’m still alive.

Ristorante Cracco by Luxeat – After a long hiatus, Luxeat returns to give us another haute Italian cuisine report. The reader that goes by “C” will certainly agree, but maybe I should try to make it to Italy next year. How will I find the time to make it to all of these places?

L’Arpege by A Life Worth Eating – I’ve raved about L’Arpege many times in the past, and A Life Worth Eating might rave even more than I. I purposely left L’Arpege off the itinerary for my trip in two weeks (exchange rate, expense, & wanting to try different places) but his review is quite tempting.

Pujol and random tacos by Oishii Eats – and, finally, some beautiful photos and slice-of-life from Mexico City. I love tacos and I love ceviche; and I don’t know why I’ve only been to Mexico once, living here in California. Keep reading too – there’s definitely an original ending to the story.

Original content coming soon!

- chuck

1 – What restaurants you ask?

• McCrady’s (Charleston, SC) – quite exciting
• Manresa/Noma dinner – because I won’t make it to Copenhagen this year
• Fat Duck (UK) – my second visit
• Le Meurice (Paris) – a few people have highly recommended it
• Sa Qua Na (Honfleur, France) – some says it’s one of France’s best at the moment
• Ledoyen (Paris) – my truffle meal was excellent
• L’Ami Jean (Paris) – you can’t eat haute all the time
• L2O (Chicago) – everyone keeps telling me to go
• Alinea or Graham Elliot (Chicago) – we’ll see how the reservation game goes
• Blue Hill (NYC) – to compare/contrast it to Stone Barns
• Blue Hill at Stone Barns (NY) – a tomato dinner
• Masa (NYC) – it was that good last time, despite their recent price increase to $450/person before tax and tip
• Sushi Kaji (Toronto) – you have to eat somewhere in Toronto
• and then the Japan trip.

Coi (SF) by A Life Worth Eating – Aaron and I shared a meal at Coi. We didn’t agree on all of the dishes, but we did agree on the best. Coi is better than many, if not most, San Francisco restaurants but it still falls short of what it should be. Aaron sums it up best by “impressed by its potential.”

Sukiyabashi Jiro (Tokyo) by Andi Hermawan – Andi has been to a number of impressive restaurants around the world; this report is from his one of his latest adventure in the very difficult to get into Ginza branch. Sukiyabashi Jiro is one of two sushi restaurants to garner three Michelin stars ¹ and Jiro trained the other, Sushi Mizutani. Lunch is supposedly a torrid affair clocking in at 45 minutes and up to $500+.

Manresa – The Mirazur dinner (Los Gatos) by Sweet and Sour Spectator – I wasn’t paying attention and missed a chance to reserve a seat at the Mirazur dinner. Many people are quite impressed by Mauro Colagreco and his incredible ways with vegetables – you can read the Gastroville report from last year. Steve from OAD also recently went and enjoyed it (he may even write about it some day.) I’m not convinced of the trading-dishes-in-the-same-menu concept, but Sweet and Sour Spectator enjoyed their meal.

Bau (Germany) by Julot-les-pinceaux – Germany doesn’t get much attention in the blog circles but Julot-les-pinceaux has eaten at a fair number of fine German establishments. This is an interesting report to read, partly to help solve his dilemma.

Peirre Gagnaire (Paris) by very good food and Gastros on Tour – Pierre Gagnaire, despite the roller coaster, is a must-do for any serious foodie. It’s interesting to read very good food’s first meal – the conflict and confusion. It can be a tough meal to digest (no pun intended), it does require you to reflect later, and it can sometimes yield the most outstanding meal ever crafted. I think she is also correct that Gagnaire is a journey most of all, where some dishes are probably not meant to shine, something akin to a Japanese kaiseki meal. I almost want to include it on my July Paris trip.

- chuck

1 – Rumor has it that a few others declined the stars and attention.

Secret Beef (LA) by All In – While this review is from an “other”, I orchestrated, and attended, this secret beef expedition. I first ate this beef nearly two years ago and, after four or five visits now, I think it’s some of the best beef in the US. Oren was disappointed with the taste and I would agree that it does not have a beefy dry-aged flavor; but, what it lacks in dry-aging, it more than makes up for with texture. Its texture is not fatty like wagyu yet it is marbled nearly as much and retains its bite.

L’Arnsbourg by Refined Palate – Refined Palate went on a whirlwind trip through France and this looks like the best meal. There is nothing like the magic of a 3-star restaurant perched in the middle of nowhere. This restaurant will be added to the must-do list next year.

Le Meurice by Country Epicure – Country Epicure has been on a blogging tear recently with who-knows-how-many-posts across at least four continents. Le Meurice has eluded me on past Paris trips but I hope to correct that in July. For now, you can read about their feast.

Pierre Gagnaire by Hungry Hedonist – The Hungry Hedonist enjoys her meal but possibly falls victim to the roller coaster ride that is Gagnaire.

Per Se by Foodie at Fifteen – Fifteen year old Nick is too young to have a “best meal of his life” but reading this review, complete with rock-star treatment, is quite a joy.

Momofuku Ko by The Wandering Eater – makes me want to book a flight to NYC immediately and partake in the fun. I’m sure we’ll begin seeing more many Ko posts but I doubt many, mine included, will have such fine photography.

Geranium by Very Good Food – Trine shows us why Copenhagen, and parts up north, will soon be en vogue with the fooderati (once we get over our Japanese kick!) This meal looks Spanish experimental but it seems to retain an organic-ness to it.

Ledoyen by Refined Palate – my meal during the Truffle Trip was among the best I’ve had in Paris. The hot/cold uni dish found in this review looks spectacular. Ledoyen will be on my July itinerary.

That’s all for now.

- chuck

For now, here are some reviews I’ve read lately that make me want to jump on a plane and eat.

El Poblet by Cachagua Store – a pub/store somewhere in my neck of the woods went to El Poblet and wrote this entertaining review. Where my review only covered the food, they do a great job of capturing the restaurant in all its glory – including its near strip mall digs.

Sant Pau by the same folks – Sant Pau was on the itinerary for the original 47 Michelin Stars in 24 Days trip but logistics prevented us from eating there. I tried to fit it into last year’s Barcelona/Madrid/Denia trip but it was just too far away given the time constraints. Nonetheless, another great review from Cachagua Store. And he even likes Thomas Pynchon and Manresa.

L’Ambroisie by A Life Worth Eating – my truffle-eating-friend recently told me about the feuilleté de truffe fraîche “bel humeur” – a whole truffle with foie gras cooked inside a perfect pastry. The price tag for that dish alone is frightening but I wish they were open last year during the Truffle Trip. L’Ambroisie was open for A Life Worth Eating and they also espouse the greatness of what must be one of the world’s most luxurious dishes.

Momofuku Ko by Opinionated About – I had/have a chance to attend one of these “friends and families” dinners for the pre-opening of Momofuku Ko but I won’t be in New York for awhile. Reading over OA’s review, I think I ate one of the first Momofuku Ko meals – it just happened to be at Momofuku Ssam two months ago, accompanied by OA, where we had 8-10 courses followed by the infamous Bo Ssam. Regardless, it will be on the top of my to-do list for the next NYC trip.

Bouley by Luxeat – Bouley does not seem to get its proper due but I would return there before eating at Le Bernardin or Per Se again. My review, 2 years ago, reads similar to Luxeat’s review – very high quality seafood and ingredients. And, to think, refusing to bring a suit to NYC on my last trip prevented me from enjoying a great meal here.

There will be *many* Meals of Others posts once Luxeat visits Tokyo and Refined Palate returns from France and Spain.

- chuck

If you’ve seen other great meals recently, please share them with everyone in the comments below.

Ryu-Gin (Tokyo, Japan)
Ryu-Gin looks to be a very intriguing restaurant, albeit one I may not be able to completely appreciate. It starts with traditional Japanese cuisine and then departs on an experimental node of its own. The difference, here, from some of those other restaurants, might be the chef’s fanatical obsession over ingredient quality. One of the main complaints against chefs practicing molecular gastronomy is their insistence on technique over ingredient quality. Seiji Yamamoto might bridge that chasm.

The Japanese Food Report’s overview with some pictures.

Aragawa (Tokyo, Japan)
I’m sure Tokyo has a multitude of restaurants that could proclaim to be the most expensive on any given day, but Forbes picked this restaurant to top their 2006 list. The list is random and silly, but Aragawa has a reputation for serving some of the city’s best beef, thanks to operating their own farm.

A Life Worth Eating had great beef but a mediocre meal. I’ve been there – extraordinary ingredients at more extraordinary prices – you leave wondering if you’ve been had. Perhaps this is why some of the best Tokyo restaurants only want locals? It’s the same excuse used by my favorite place for raw fish – Sawa.

Alinea (Chicago)
My first, and only, meal was marred by an excessive amount of Beligan beer earlier that afternoon. If some have complained about blurry pictures in the past, the photographs that night would have been more DeKooning than Achatz. Nonetheless, it was a remarkable meal that clearly exceeded my expectations. Some experiments did not work but, overall, I felt the extended tasting menu was a solid piece of work with great ingredients – probably a top 5 restaurant in this country.

Sous Survivor took a one night trip to Alinea and rekindled my interest to try the food again – later this year, when the weather warms up.

Jean Georges (New York)
Jean Georges was the first grand restaurant meal I ate, five years ago. It clearly stood above other restaurants I had visited at that time – notably, French Laundry and Masa’s (Ron Siegel in San Francisco.) The execution and clarity of flavors were instrumental in developing my obsession for fine dining. I was afraid of returning. My fears were realized when I had lunch last year at Jean Georges for the first time since that first meal.

The Wandering Eater had lunch and his post has convinced me to try it again. Lunch is priced too aggressively not to give it another shot.

As for me, I will start posting reviews beginning next week.

- chuck

What recent meals look great?

El Capricho (Baneza, Spain)
El Capricho is the new Etxebarri – if you haven’t been, you aren’t in. Missing this restaurant was my only regret from my last trip to Spain. It’s located about three hours equidistant from San Sebastian and Madrid. Knowing what I now know about Madrid’s culinary scene, I would’ve skipped a night there in an instant and drove over to El Capricho.

Lydia Itoi’s informative article for Time explains the variables in great beef (breed, diet, marbling, slaughter, and aging.) She does a quick run-through of her personal quest to find the best and how she may have found it at El Capricho.

Jeffrey Steingarten writes for Men’s Vogue of a similar quest in northeast Spain, in his drawn-out style, that also ends at El Capricho.

And for those that read Spanish (I don’t), pistoYnopisto presumably writes a (favorable?) review of El Capricho.

Some incredible tantalizing pictures here.

Roellinger (Cancale, France)
Julotlespinceaux and I shared a lunch at Ubuntu during his recent trip to the Bay Area and I can vouch that he’s quite passionate and knowledgeable about food. He constantly reviews high quality restaurants that don’t always find their way into English food blogs. When he says Roellinger might be his favorite restaurant, I take note (even if it’s already on my top 5 must try.)

It is the French restaurant I most need to try. With its emphasis on seafood, and spices from far distant lands, it has the potential to be my favorite meal ever. Despite the Federal Reserve trying to plunge the dollar into worthlessness, I will try to eat at Roellinger this year.

Julotlespinceaux’s review of Roellinger.

Le Meurice (Paris, France)
This restaurant has been recommended to me by a few people but Le Meurice is always closed when I’m in town. Luxeat’s description of a meal with lots of seafood, acidity, and iodized flavors sounds perfect to me. When I make the trip to Roellinger, Le Meurice might be my first stop. As an aside, I wish I had her jet-setting life.

Restaurant Glashuset (Lonstrup, Denmark)
Trine at very good food is making me jealous with the constant reports of stunning meals in Denmark. It’s also my favorite blog these days for its great writing, good photos (they aren’t all perfect but never is the lighting in fine restaurants), and the pure discovery of the new for me. Here’s a modern, yet seasonal and respectful, meal cooked by three different chefs.

If you come across truly fascinating meals, please email me or post them in the Comments.

- chuck

These are a few elusive meals that I long to try but circumstances or timing have prevented me from enjoying. I envy the writers below for the meals they’ve eaten:

Noma (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Noma is my #1 international goal next year – the food looks creative, original, and delicious. Despite its creativity, it retains an organic-ness to it, akin to Manresa, Pierre Gagnaire, or Mugaritz. Manresa to me might be Noma for Very Good Food – a go-to restaurant when all others won’t do. She has dined there many times but her latest Noma review is required reading.

McCrady’s (Charleston, South Carolina)
McCrady’s has been on my radar since my cross-country road trip last year. Visiting long-lost friends won over eating on that visit. Sean Brock has been rumored to be one of the South’s best chefs. His blog showcases plenty of experiments. However, he still cares about the ingredients and inputs – he is busy cultivating a bio-dynamic garden to supply the restaurant with produce. Opinionated About recently ate there and it looks impressive.

Ideas in Food (New York)
My Keyah Grande meals last year in Colorado, from said road trip, were just as experimental and possibly better than Alinea. Alex and Aki, from Ideas in Food, are very talented cooks that, despite some crazy experimenting, manage to retain their focus on ingredients and flavors. I’m not an eGullet fan, but here’s a great write-up on a recent private meal in New York. If I lived in New York, I would definitely hire them to cook me a private meal.

A meal I’ve enjoyed before but wish to re-visit:

Alinea (Chicago, Illinois)
I had a bit too much to drink during my meal at Alinea – my note-taking and photography were certainly diminished that evening (and a proper review never made it to this site.) Not so with The Hungry Hedonist – a great review and greater photos.

And one meal I would love to try but have not seen anything written:

Studio Kitchen (New York)
His blog photos are stunning, possibly because the food sounds better. There’s an experimental slant but you can see the quality of the ingredients in the photos. If I lived in New York, I would seek a private meal.

Enjoy – if you’ve read an interesting meal review lately, share it in the comments.

- chuck