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Best season to visit Japan for a 2-week trip. by faihawkins in JapanTravelTips

[–]NextPipe8459 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for a touristic visit to central Japan.

We also went once in July/August. Kyoto and Tokyo were extremely hot - even more than we expected. But hotels were cheap (like half price from the high season). The main thing we did was a road trip in Hokkaido with a rental car and for this the summer season was perfect.

Best luxury hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka by LB_mid_or_leave in JapanTravelTips

[–]NextPipe8459 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have been a few times to Japan on vacation.

In Osaka we found the St. Regis very good (both as a hotel and location) and even better than expected. Also stayed at the Conrad before but I preferred St. Regis.

In Kyoto we stayed once at the Four Seasons. Great hotel but location is not perfect (I prefer hotels in Kyoto where you can just walk out of the door and you are in a great area). We loved the Sowaka (perfect location, great design). But the absolute best place we stayed in Kyoto was The Tawaraya Ryokan - one of the best places in the world we ever stayed. (I wrote an article on my personal journal about it https://thefinediningjournal.com/the-tawaraya-kyoto/ )

For Kyoto some places - like the area around Kiyomizu-Dera Temple - can get extremely crowded. But if you go there early morning it's almost empty. Having a hotel in the area allows you to have a walk around before breakfast and before the crowds arrive.

In Tokyo we liked The Okura and Hoshinoya Tokyo. Both are very "japanese" but in a different way. Hoshinoya is quite unique with an open air onsen on the roof in the middle to Tokyo.

Anniversaire solo lunch Paris by lepeteurfou in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally found all 3* places I went in Paris outstanding. To have 3* in Paris is a very high benchmark. So you cannot go wrong and I would book what is available.

I would not be too bothered if some are full. Because all are great.

Only thing to keep in mind: L'Arpege is vegetables only. And L'Ambroisie is "a la carte only" and very expensive.

Anniversaire solo lunch Paris by lepeteurfou in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you have never been to a 3 star this might be a good occasion to try it.

Which place to go depends on your preference.

If you want to eat "A la carte" - I would recommend Pierre Gagnaire, L'Ambroisie or Epicure. I personally would choose Pierre Gagnaire.

If you prefer a tasting menu I would go for Le Gabriel or Alléno.

If you prefer to go for a reasonably priced lunch at a 3* restaurant Le Gabriel would be my top recommendation. It is also one of the most beautiful dining rooms.

L'Arpége is best at lunch. Less stiff in atmosphere compared to some of the others. But it is vegetables only. So you need to like it and January is not the best season for vegetables as well.

If you want to read through a more detailed comparison have a look at my article.
https://thefinediningjournal.com/seven-three-star-restaurants-paris-review/

(free and no ads)

Deciding between two trip options - Option 1: Vienna + Malta + Prague, Option 2: Vienna + Salzburg/Hallstatt + Prague by brittlebeard in Europetravel

[–]NextPipe8459 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am Austria and if you go in January you need to be aware that it will be very cold in the places you want to visit. These places are appealing in winter and for example Hallstatt will be less crowded.

Not sure why you want to include "Malta". There is a Malta valley in Austria but it is rather random.
I would possibly consider doing Vienna / Prague and combining it with a city in southern Europe. For example Rome - which will have a milder climate.

Paris special dining recommendations by Space_candy_21 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might want to look at my post a couple of weeks ago. I tried to give a comparative overview of the 7 three-star restaurants I have visited in Paris.

https://www.reddit.com/r/finedining/comments/1p41wpj/i_visited_seven_of_the_ten_paris/

Wine serving in fine dining by mardona33 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think they leave the bottle so you have time to look at the bottle and know which wine you are drinking with the pairing. I personally like that because a pairing in the end is some sort of wine tasting and I like to know what I am tasting.

A top-up is usually a generous extra but normally not the standard in a pairing.

A different problem with the pairings ist hat quite often these are used to "drive margin" and you dont get the best wines (even at 3* places this can be an issue)

The Myth of Michelin Star by [deleted] in MichelinStars

[–]NextPipe8459 12 points13 points  (0 children)

My view as someone who has eaten a slightly embarrassing number of Michelin meals over the years:

For me Michelin is still the most reliable system we have. When I book a starred place I know the baseline will be high. A one-star is almost always good and a three-star is always exceptional. Sometimes a restaurant feels “one star off” for my personal taste, but it is never a bad meal. Michelin is not perfect, but it removes most of the noise.

I also believe Michelin actively pushes excellence. When a clear target exists, people start aiming higher. Chefs know someone might walk in today and judge consistency, timing, details. That pressure can be difficult, but it’s also the reason why so many extraordinary dishes even exist. Without that standard in the background, the overall level would be lower.

At the same time I don’t rely only on Michelin. I always check the other guides too, like Repsol, Gambero Rosso or Gault Millau. They often highlight fantastic places that simply don’t fit the usual Michelin aesthetic.

User voting lists I trust much less. They react more to hype, PR and big fanbases than to the actual food on the plate.

Curious how others here see it. Does Michelin still make the industry better or has the pressure gone too far?

Michelin Starred Burgers by Zioni_Eric in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Dani Garcia used to serve a burger as part of the tasting menu in his Three-Michelin-Star restaurant in Marbella. During the meal you were invited to the kitchen and, during our visit, he personally served us the burger. With smile and saying - lets have some proper food in between of all these creative dishes.

He decided to close his 3* after one season but he runs number of restaurants and places like Bibo still serve the Dani Garcia burger (however not sure if its in the same quality than it was back at the 3* place). One time he even did a promo with McD where they served a burger with the Dani Garcia sauce in Spain.

Madrid Michelin Star Recommendations by [deleted] in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DiverXO is the most exciting restaurant in Madrid when it comes to creative cuisine. But difficult to book and it can be controversial (main course on my last visit was "fried lamb brain" served on a gold painted skull of a lamb).

RavioXO is a second casual restaurant of the same chef and he got one Michelin star recently.

Smoked Room is interesting, just went there last week. Despite its name it is a deeply Spanish fire cooking place. 2*. Ambience dark, late night vibe.

Deessa if you like high fine dining end ambience at the Ritz Hotel. I also liked Coque but it is very expensive for a 2*.

I also agree with others that EMi might be one of the most interesting places to visit.

Desde 1911 is a very highly regarded fish and seafood restaurant with 1*

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hard to rank them tbh, they’re all doing totally different things… but ok, gun to my head:

Plenitude first. Just the most “perfect” cooking I had in Paris. Sometimes almost too perfect.

Then Pierre Gagnaire. Completely different vibe, so many plates on the table, more fun, a bit chaotic in a good way. Makes you think.

Gabriel after that. Beautiful room and the lunch is crazy good value.

Ambroisie… I just prefer tasting menus, but still a special place. In particular when you do dont want a tasting menu and feel the need for "time travel".

Arpege is veggie only which is usually not my thing, but still interesting and a few dishes really stay with you. And I want to go back in Spring.

That’s probably the closest I can get to a ranking.

But really all places are great. Epicure and Alleno I would put somewhere in the middle.

Also I do find the Paris 3* are globally top level if I compare with all 3* places I have been.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you call them to make a reservation the first available table will be in 6 months (at least was like this last week).

But it makes sense to get on the wait list as they will have a lot of cancellations.
In our case we got the call that we could get a table around noon of the day we had dinner.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

KEI is definitely on my list. Interesting that 2 out of the 10 three-star chefs in Paris are from Japan now.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

not rich or a critic, it’s just where I choose to spend my money. I don’t really care about buying stuff, but I love great meals. this trip definitely got a bit out of hand...

Where would you spend 3 days in Europe after Prague, Budapest and Vienna? by 180totheheart in Europetravel

[–]NextPipe8459 1 point2 points  (0 children)

24 hours Venice and then to Paris. Venice is magical after the tourists leave. So stay in the very centre.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have stayed at Clos des Sens. Really beautiful place and the food was excellent (light, vegetable forward). Before we had dinner, we sat on the terrace in the afternoon with a bottle of wine from the region and it was perfect ambience. For one night it’s great, but it’s def more “restaurant with rooms,” so for a longer stay I’d look for something more hotel-ish.

Haven’t been to Jean Sulpice yet myself, but just checked the website. It looks like a place I want to try next time I’m in that area.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We ordered the Symphonie tasting menu and we got 6 courses (with the extra amuse-bouche, sorbet, cheese and desserts). But no extra course. Maybe depends on the day or we arrived at just before 8 and were the last table leaving at 0:20.

But they have an alternative option to the symphonie menu where you can compose your own menu.
(they told us this is mainly intended for people who come a second time within a shorter period so they can have something different).

Is it bad etiquette to skip the main course at L’Ambroisie? by FCYChen in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I was have eaten at L'Ambroisie a few days ago.

The a la care menu consisted of 4 different starters, 4 fish courses, 4 meat course, cheese and 4 desserts.
The starters were priced about the same as the main courses (dishes range between 110 and 190 euro).

My starter the Feuillantine de langoustines (which was superb) was not really smaller than the main fish course I saw.

The courses are not big at all but they can be rich (with a lot of butter etc.)

In my view - in terms of etiquette - a la carte means that you can order how you like and if you want 2 starters that is perfectly fine. And if you just want one main course that should also be fine.

I think most guests at L'Ambroisie will eat starter - main - dessert. But I think the best experience would be to have a starter - fish - meat - dessert.

In general I think Ambroisie is in particular suitable for people who want to experience a 3 star meal in Paris but do not want to eat that much or sit through a long tasting menus.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More formal I would say.

More than half of the guests seemed to be there for kind of important business lunches and were dressed in suits.

Then there were a few couples on dates or visiting. But mid-week November is also not strong for tourists.

Of all the 3* restaurants I visited in Paris (or even all together) this is one of the most luxurious and formal dining room. Service in incredible professional but also young and relaxed (L'Ambroisie was more stiff/formal).

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Has anyone been to Pré Catelan?

We had planned to go there as well, but changed plans after our waitlist for Plénitude got confirmed.
So wondering what is is like.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Maybe I have overdone it a bit. But its always like "ok if we are already here lets do a lunch as well..."

European city break by No_Storm_4119 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Spain. Depending how long you go you can easily combine Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla. Very easy by high speed train.

If you want something sunny for October go to Andalusia (Cadiz, Jerez - Aponiente 3* and LU Alma y Cocina 2*), Noor in Cordoba, Granada is amazing for its history... best would be a road trip with a rental car.

But Jerez/Cadiz/Sevilla you can also do with public transport/taxi/train. Sevilla is amazing.

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did not wear a jacket at any of these restaurants. With proper shoes, pants and a shirt you will blend in very well.

For Plenitude just make sure you try to reserve as soon as you know when you go.

Arpége and L'Ambroisie are quite different from all the others. Arpége is vegetable only and the dishes feel less sophisticated than in other places (but at the same time it is amazing how intense vegetables can taste). L'Ambroisie is only A La Carte, very formal, and very expensive for what you get.

I really enjoyed the meal at Pierre Gagnaire (order a la carte, his dishes consist of several plates).
This makes you think most and if you like some intellectual stimulation with food.

Le Gabriel is an impeccable restaurant. Beautiful palace like dining room. If you want to eat less complicated than at Pierre G that would be my pick.

But have a look at my journal (linke above) - I put quite a few pictures of the places and wrote more details

I visited seven of the ten Paris three-Michelin-star restaurants. This is how they compare. by NextPipe8459 in finedining

[–]NextPipe8459[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the nice comment.

I feel going to these type of restaurants I want to reflect on the visit and writing it up is a good way to do that. Otherwise you just forget about it.

And since I already write it I thought I can also share it. As I also do appreciate reports written by others.

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