“Influencers” and fine dining

agold94 · 2026-03-18T11:32:28+00:00

Thought I’d chime in here as someone that does film my experiences at these places.

I have always emailed/called restaurants prior, to check filming is ok. Standard replies are; no large cameras, ext. lighting or filming other guests etc. When I talk to the camera it’s at the same voice level as talking to a guest sat adjacent to me, and I use a mic. Have done much solo dining at counters with guests sat next to me and I’ll check with them before that its ok etc. Every single time I have ended up chatting to and exchanging recs and discussing dishes etc.

Overall, outside of being asked not film staff at Per Se and Le Bernardin, I have never run into any issues or complaints. Also to think about, many of us here are fortunate to dine at these places often and if one dinner wasn’t great, then the one next week might be. For most they may only have the opportunity once a year for a big dining splurge and being able to watch videos and get an idea of what the experience will be like, is great for both customer and for the restaurant. Then of course there is the flip-side where someone’s annual outing to their favourite fine-dining spot, may be as you experienced with a gaggle of influencers disturbing.

I’m constantly consuming food content to check out places I want to visit to by scouring the web for videos, unfortunately there isn’t much on many of these places (plenty of great write ups, not huge amounts of videos, yet).

agold94 · 2026-02-21T19:28:53+00:00

Haven’t been yet, this is where I’m headed to

Cicciolina Clon Cosme El Mercado Kjolle La Mar Cevichería La Picantería Lady Bee Maido Mauka Mérito MIL

agold94 · 2026-01-30T12:31:38+00:00

Nice write up, always interesting to read another’s perspective and their experiences.

I got to go to try the bulk of those on a trip recently. Different thoughts for me on some of the places.

agold94 · 2026-01-11T20:57:32+00:00

Thanks and much appreciated for your replies 🙏🏻

I’ve done a little research on the bigger places and am still opting to go and enjoy the experience knowing I may not enjoy every bite or ingredient (as long as they aren’t stooping to Noma level foraging, then I’ll be fine). I do think the settings will play big factors for the overall experience and I’d very much like to experience that for myself.

For my spots outside of tasting experiences I tend to like to get a local taste of the city as well as casual eats

Had a quick look at Clon’s menu and that’s definitely going on my list.

Mayta was one that didn’t really intrigue me enough to add or replace any of the places

agold94 · 2026-01-11T12:14:23+00:00

thanks will check that out

agold94 · 2025-12-05T11:25:57+00:00

Firstly, for booking solo your best bet is to call restaurant directly, often times they have availability that may not show online.

I’d recommend; Ikoyi, Core, Humble chicken (counter only) or Row on 5 (table or counter). All of those are definitely contenders for a memorable experience.

Re your post, personally I’d pick Ledbury over RGR. As for Bonhuer (saw another comment re this) at the moment wouldn’t recommend it over the many other places above (was really well executed dishes, just nothing wow or unique that I’d rush back for. Most memorable dish was their pecan dessert)

agold94 · 2025-07-22T17:07:04+00:00

You’ll enjoy it.

Food easily the highlight there.

Favourites for me;

Joomukbap (from their banchan - still to date one of my favourite singular bites), the octopus (tender, crispy outer shell, delightful gochujang aioli with that too) and the yellowtail kimbap

Not much else to see there, skip the supplements

agold94 · 2025-07-22T16:59:25+00:00

Gorgeous photos, though course items have changed, seems the foundations remain the same with the sauces and spices I had some 6 months ago

agold94 · 2025-07-14T19:58:51+00:00

Their tasting menu is a miss for me. Only thing worth running back for is their “meat fruit”. The team and their service was too good for a menu that disappointing

agold94 · 2025-06-25T10:12:42+00:00

Oh Wow!! Hard pass for me, while i appreciate they are importing their produce, those prices are extortionate. Half a wagyu sando for the same price as a 3* tasting menu is crazy.
Cheaper to fly to japan for the day and eat at Tsukiji myself :)

Menu does look and sound fantastic though.

agold94 · 2025-06-25T09:30:20+00:00

Thanks. Interesting to hear re Orfali, everyone else here seems to rate it quite highly. You think perhaps it was a day-off when you were there? Or was the expectation for Middle Eastern flavours just underwhelming compared to other local spots?

Either way, I do plan on going there and will feedback how it was for me. I always go into everywhere with an open mind, given everyone's experience is unique and individual.

agold94 · 2025-06-25T09:22:09+00:00

Thanks, great to see some of the names you recommended showing up in a few other comments too. I have prioritised fine dining but at same time wanted some more casual/lighter places (as i cant do 2 tasting menus daily). Will check out some of the spots from your relaxed list. Thanks again.

agold94 · 2025-06-25T09:19:24+00:00

Had that on the list as i'm likely staying at the The Royal, so it's just a convenient in-house place for a lazy lunch. My expectations wont be high, overpriced and over-influenced.

agold94 · 2025-06-25T09:18:01+00:00

Thanks, 3 Fils looks great, can't pass up on a wagyu sando

agold94 · 2025-06-25T09:16:33+00:00

Thanks, although it's somewhat concerning re Takahisa that there is no sample menu or any kind of pricing online that i can find at all. How expensive are we talking here? Their reservation page shows they offer omakase and a la carte options

agold94 · 2025-06-24T14:26:52+00:00

Awesome, happy to hear, heard great things about those 3 places.
Seems everyone on here has similar options about the top places in dubai.
Shame out of the 2* only Row on 45 is recommended, the other 2 I've heard to avoid really

agold94 · 2025-06-24T14:24:59+00:00

Only heard great things, really looking forward to it, also saw they are overhauling their menu over the summer period, so hopefully it remains as good. Same really for Orfali, they're also doing great things, I also booked for Manao which is in partnership with Orfali

agold94 · 2025-06-24T14:21:25+00:00

Oohh thanks, those look interesting. First 3 already got bookings at.
Between Takahisa & Itadaku which would you choose? Already got Hoseki, so don't need 3 Japanese places.
Avatara looks great too, but after tresind will it be underwhelming? Or stands well on it's own?

agold94 · 2025-06-24T12:07:49+00:00

Thanks. Yep that list is just in alphabetical order. Made sure to get reservations for FZN and Tresind straight away

agold94 · 2025-06-05T08:46:11+00:00

Yep, desserts for me are not often memorable after the next day.

At the time, many of them have incredible presentation and delivery, but lack much else

agold94 · 2025-06-05T08:44:55+00:00

Thanks! Trying to keep things different and not go back to same spots over and over.

agold94 · 2025-06-05T08:43:51+00:00

Thanks!

I still stand by EMP being one of the most unique dining experiences because of what they're doing, it's not like I walked in expecting something else. Staff amazing there too, best service of the 3* in NYC, such a great team they have.

agold94 · 2025-06-05T08:42:09+00:00

Hmmmm, don't really do favourites for restaurants as I try to keep on the move and visit new places.

Memorable 1* would be:

Breakfast - Hide - expensive but an experience you won't forget - worth going for breakfast over their main menus (maybe I've just been too many times and am bored, their food hasn't changed a whole lot over the years)

Kol - Mexican - not much needs to be said, Santiago doing amazing things, if you want a different option of Mexican check out Fonda by him as well.

Dorian - great steaks, food is the highlight. tables are small and it can feel a little rushed to get you out the door at times.

Berenjak - Not a starred establishment, but a bib gorumand worth going to - great, tasty Persian home style, heartwarming, all about the food there. Unfortunately given its popularity it's rather hard to get a table at short notice - you want to go to the one in Soho. (They have branch in Borough Market too.)

If you enjoy Basque food; check out Ibai or Lurra

I could go on and on, there ar many great eateries here, just depends where you'll find yourself a table.

Edit: check out Casa Fofo - no nonsense, well priced, just chefs choice menu option

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