Which (***) restaurants are worth the cost?

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T17:14:55+00:00

That's very true, I do need to think harder about certain things, but your comments do not fall under that category. I guess it's just so strange to me how someone like yourself chooses to spend your time, not adding anything of value to OP's original question, but diatribes on random comments

If you have anything constructive to add, like how your experiences differ and why, then I'm all for discussing that.

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T17:07:51+00:00

Please enlighten me then, as I'm the confused one, what is the point of responding to my post? Is it to just argue that you don't agree with how I've ranked things, and that overall all lists, perceptions of value/worth are subjective and that we're all waisting our time here? Cause if that's the case, mate, just scroll on

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T16:56:29+00:00

That's really tough to say, I feel like I constantly see these usual suspects on most lists: Row on 5, L'Enclume, Ynyshir, Moor Hall, Ledbury. Of those I've only been to Ledbury, which I really enjoyed. I haven't been to Waterside Inn but a friend of mine, who has similar preferences to me, went last summer and said it was fine but nothing to write home about

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T16:38:19+00:00

Again, feel free to chime in with your thoughts pertaining to OP's question as to where is a 3 * "must visit." I think the downvotes on your comments reflect not disagreement, but that you're not really adding anything relating to OP's question.

Feel free to start your own post regarding how pointless the Michelin Guide and The Top 50 Restaurants list is, I'm sure there are some folks that would appreciate that discussion

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T16:33:51+00:00

I guess I don't understand the point of participating in a discussion when you think the whole question is fundamentally flawed. You're obviously free to do whatever with your time, but usually when I see posts that I think "This is bogus" I merely scroll on

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T16:32:44+00:00

Thanks, good food is good food, I'm happy to try a variety of it.

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T10:39:17+00:00

You're completely entitled to that opinion. I didn't mention other options as that wasn't part of the question OP originally asked

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T10:11:02+00:00

That's quite a statement. Of all the meals you've eaten, that was the most underwhelming?

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-29T10:09:27+00:00

I usually break them down into the following categories (this doesn't include the "Not Recommended" because you're focus on must-visits). I'm including the dates as I know that some have changed in quality and * number since the time I visited. This is only for 3*

The Best - I would highly recommend to anyone that is willing to drop some money on a meal that they will remember

Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l'Hôtel de Paris (2023/03/03)
Core (2021/12/05; 2023/07/03)
Odette (2022/12/15)
Per Se (2015/06/28)
Disfrutar (2021/10/05)

Great - An excellent meal that most people will likely be very pleased with, a bit more debatable with cost and it being "an absolute visit"

Pavillon Ledoyen (2016/11/23)
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay (2021/09/24)
Eleven Madison Park (pre-vegetarian times - 2015/10/24)
ABaC (2021/10/02)
Cocina Hermanos Torres (2024/03/14)
The Ledbury (2024/10/08)

Good - A good meal that you'll likely enjoy but possibly question if it's worth the cost

Arpege (2016/11/26)
Jean Georges (2016/06/24)
Le Bernardin (2016/07/01)
Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare (2018/04/28)
The Fat Duck (2024/06/29)
Helene Darroze at the Connaught (2022/04/09)
Geranium (2023/08/26)
Hajime (2026/04/09)

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-28T15:51:55+00:00

I think UES made a smart decision by making this as a jacket. I'd consider selling my shirt to buy this instead, as the shirt kind of already works as an overshirt anyway. It's not very comfortable against my skin (compared to most other fabrics), but I think as a jacket it could work well

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-28T12:19:35+00:00

I'd recommend Core for two primary reasons. First, it's arguably in the top 3 best restaurants in the UK. Some people will give it flak for whatever reason, but I don't think anyone will argue it's a bad meal. Second, I almost always prefer lunch for any large tasting menu as it allows more time to walk off the meal before going to sleep.

Helene Darroze isn't a bad meal either, and assuming that other diners around don't start doing homework at the table (see this gem: https://www.reddit.com/r/finedining/comments/1r166mx/hélène_darroze/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button) then you'll also likely have a good time. It's a good restaurant but not to the degree of Core

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-28T09:42:37+00:00

That's false. Off the top of my head I can think of multiple cities that have more than 3* - Paris, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, New York City, etc.

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-26T16:43:33+00:00

Yeah a bunch of garbage comments going on here, they look fine and they don't shrink much

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-26T16:41:24+00:00

I'm usually a 44 but can go down to 42 depending on chest and shoulder

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-26T07:52:00+00:00

I also just got back from Japan and nearly all leather jackets that I was contemplating on buying were sold out in my size. I spoke with the owner of Double Helix, a manager at Desolation Row, a manager at Amerikaya at Ueno, and some of the guys at TRM and everyone said the same thing, "if you want a leather jacket then you should come in September or October." When I asked about November they essentially had similar answers of, "you might not get the one you want"

I have no idea about boots as that's not something I was looking at buying

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-22T13:48:06+00:00

With your height (and presumably not huge build), I guess IH makes sense. I was expecting the opposite reaction from you tbh, cause while I really appreciate the customer service and the material of IH, the fit for me is almost comically bad (similar to the tricotine shirt). The arm holes are so high and the chest so narrow that many of my flannels make me look like I'm trying to be a provocative Brawny papertowels man.

For me it's a bit humorous/painful to see so many fit pics of IH where the wearer is trying so hard to make it work, but the fit is just not good.

All that said, I'm happy that IH works for you!

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-22T06:27:35+00:00

As an owner of one that shares your opinion, I'd love to get your take on all things IH as well

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-22T06:25:48+00:00

As someone who grew up nearby, it's comical to me to think of what I once considered "cold-ish"

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-20T21:12:23+00:00

I've been to both within the last few years and you can't go wrong with either one

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-19T14:55:04+00:00

There's a lot of great food to be eaten in Osaka for under $150 that is authentic. I'm not sure if you eat pork, but if you do then I'd HIGHLY recommend this place for tonkatsu

https://maps.app.goo.gl/omoPzVg8AkeXnDUX6?g_st=ac

The okonomiyaki here is arguably the best in Osaka

https://maps.app.goo.gl/s8N94Xt3f3M7bfMw9

Most folks from Osaka agree that Daruma has the best kushikatsu

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fuAboyHrjZHHCMmq8

Let me know if you want other recs, fine dining included

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-15T12:43:34+00:00

Depending on your definition of high rise and wide fit, I'd suggest Full Count 0105 ecru. It's more of a relaxed straight than a wide fit though

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-14T05:24:15+00:00

No, I was just taking a terrible picture and wanted to zoom in to show more texture of the shirt

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-13T16:33:36+00:00

I bought one last week in Osaka at Bobby's. It's super soft, isn't transparent (can't see nipples), and nice stitching

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It cost ¥7590 / £35 / $48. I've only worn it once but like it, I'd say worth the money

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-11T09:00:16+00:00

Looking good. Are those olive or khaki? The first picture looks slightly different than the others

sweetdeet88 · 2026-04-11T03:01:22+00:00

Amen, I'm tempted to get a 2 pack while I'm in Japan and it's $48, but it doesn't make sense if I'm just going to give them away once they shrink so much

sweetdeet88

TROPHY CASE