The Japanese Izakaya concept seems to have gained prominence far and wide in the last year and Auckland, New Zealand is no exception. Essentially Japanese bar food eaten with liberal amounts of alcoholic beverages, the movement has spawned variations and it’s possible that in another year it will have morphed … Read more
With pristine seafood plucked from glistening seas, sustainably raised meats and a newfound devotion to seasonal produce, modern Swedish cooking has come a long way from meatballs and pickled herring. The food scene hasn’t yet made the city a must visit like Copenhagen, but chefs are carving out their own … Read more
Copenhagen. Center of the culinary universe. Wait. What? Target Noma. Number one restaurant in the world, the place that singlehandedly launched the revolution in food now known as New Nordic. Would it be any good? Could the cuisine of the chilly north, known for foraging and sea creatures actually satisfy … Read more
It took a little white but Florentine designer Roberto Cavalli finally managed to make the fashion pack sit-up and take notice. With a global empire of stores in 33 countries around the world, it’s safe to say he is well on his way to becoming an icon in Italian fashion. … Read more
New York is one of the few cities where menus know no ethnic bounds. Yet Filipino food remains foreign to many New Yorkers, an unfamiliar fare that I’ve discovered is delicious. As I stepped into Maharlika, an inviting 40-seat East Village eatery that could easily get lost in the shuffle … Read more
From the TS Editors: The following guest post comes from our friend and partner in travel Kim Gray of toqueandcanoe.com — an award-winning online mag/blog about Canadian travel culture. It’s Friday night in Vancouver, the last weekend of the city’s popular Dine Out Festival, and my mother and I have … Read more
Sitting squat on a forlorn block in the Union Square vicinity, San Francisco’s Hotel Nikko will not surprise you as a striking architectural gem, but no matter. As you step inside the towering concrete mass an instant feeling of Zen alters the senses, the sound of water gurgling, a perfect … Read more
With a warm, dimly lit dining room that hums with the comfortable lull of hushed conversation, you’d half expect Restaurant Nora to be situated on a winding country lane. But this sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere is right in the heart of D.C.’s Dupont Circle. Nora’s 40-year collection of geometric Amish … Read more
Finding Restaurant Alcron is a bit of a challenge. You push through a revolving door in the meticulously restored Art Deco Alcron hotel and find yourself in a long, finely appointed lobby. Striding past reception you spot a bar. Is that it? Through glass doors, you spy a stunning 1930’s … Read more
“The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star.” said the 18th century gastronome Anthelme Brillat-Savarin in The Physiology of Taste. I had these words in my head while sailing the Mediterranean on the Silver Cloud, a 296-passenger, ultra-luxury vessel from … Read more
Set in Hong Kong’s historic Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Mandarin Grill + Bar had previously resembled a private club which made it a perfect setting for big business deals over lunch. Fitted out with leather and dark woods, a leftover from the power 80’s, … Read more
A hush falls over The Idiot as you enter. It’s as if Dostoevsky himself was writing in the corner. That wouldn’t be much of a surprise as the warm, cozy atmosphere is perfect for tinkling with your latest poem or perhaps that song you’re writing. Soft music and a Zen … Read more
Ristorante Cracco, Milan A discreet entrance on a small side street in Milan and an elevator that goes … down? Is this a restaurant or a private club? Perhaps a hidden casino or a den of ill repute? You’re just a few blocks from bustling Piazza del Duomo and Galleria … Read more
Michael Mina 74 has a subterranean feel, a cool cellar away from the south Florida heat. Tucked away from the madness of the Hotel Fontainebleau’s lobby, this is your go to for quick bites and yummy pick me ups when you’re spending some down time in Miami. Mr. Mina’s signature … Read more
Let me say this straight out. It’s hard to go too long without Italian food. Blame it on my mom’s spaghetti and meatballs or the home made lasagna an Italian friend of mine used to make regularly. So it was with a sense of expectancy that we approached Capuletti, situated … Read more