Restaurant Recommendations: A Gastronomic Tour of the World

I am fortunate enough to be able to travel around the world for my work, and since food is my passion, I love to seek out the best restaurants in each city I visit.  In no particular order, here are a few of my favorites from my travels... 

BOSTON

This fall, I spent a lovely and surprising dinner with friends in the fairly new La Voile, which brought me to France for a few hours with it’s charming French staff and owners from Cannes. Of course, we had to test the leek soup (delicious, but then we were four “leek freaks”) and the scallops from New England were heavenly. Other dishes include Mussels poulette, the famed soupe de poisson from Cannes, and risotto dishes to die for.  

WASHINGTON, DC

A quick tour of Georgetown was special during an Indian summer and the colors on those lovely cobblestone, hilly streets with gorgeous townhouses and superb tree varieties made me feel OK that I’d have to miss a visit to Vermont this fall because of work schedule.

One lunch was particularly worth the price of the visit as my local recommendation was go to Central, Michel Richard’s 2008 James Beard Award Winner for best new restaurant in North America. Savvy Michel succeeded in combining great French bistro food with great American produce and dishes in a setting that is also a combo of French bistro and modern American brasserie. Add to this a wonderful staff, a great chef…et voilà. We had a glass of Gosset bubbly with gougères and shared a spinach torte and a dish of mussels with addictive French fries and ended with the must-have chocolate bar. Simply exquisite from beginning to end. I can’t wait to go back to taste more.

SAN FRANCISCO

When in San Francisco, I never tire of going to some of my favorites like Boulevard, Zuni Cafe, Jardiniere, and Aqua but also love to experiment with the new kids on the block.  

Campton Place is great for breakfast and lunch (especially in their café) to taste some Indian-inspired dishes prepared by the Indian chef who knows his spices, although he also makes a pretty good foie gras au torchon with homemade chutney, and wonderful cured salmon with brioche. As for the tiramisu, truly one of the very best I’ve ever had in and outside of Italy. Now, who is behind this recipe but a very talented pastry chef? I’d love to hire her/him, though I’d better not as I might get fat.

Spruce is le American bistro and more par excellence. The neighborhood is great and so are the building and the feeling of the restaurant with  a grand entrance and dynamite bar and court area. But people come here mostly for the food, the best and freshest.  My guest had a version of a beet salad, which was more like a sashimi of beets and persimmon with aged goat cheese (you do know how good beets are for you, oui?), but I couldn’t resist the red pumpkin soup with chestnuts, so thick and so well seasoned. Both the sea bass and the halibut were superbly cooked but the pièce de résistance was an order of freshly baked palmiers and beignets with crème anglaise and chocolate sauce…to die for! A glass of Oregon pinot noir was a great accompaniment.

Chouquet’s is especially nice after a shopping spree in the area, serving classic French bistro-inspired sandwiches, salads and my ultimate favorite, mussels.  It’s a perfect spot for a late lunch.  

La Boulange is mecca for bread lovers and pastry devotees.  The original is on Pine St. and the savvy and accomplished bordelaise owner/baker has now opened several cafés and bakeries in town where sandwiches, salads and even burgers are served. For me, the bakery is zee place to visit because the selection and freshness are a plus. It is, without a doubt, my very favorite bakery (I should say boulangerie-patisserie as they make not only great breads, croissants and brioches, but also financiers, madeleines, cannelés, tarts and éclairs, etc.) in the entire USA. I’m just glad I don’t live in San Francisco…

LONDON

If you want a romantic evening in London with great food and service, I'd recommend Pied a terre and for a super breakfast/brunch. On the same street is the lovely Chambers Hotel with one of the best staff and breakfast menu in the city.

If you crave oysters and seafood (I often do) head to Seekey Oyster Bar on St Martin Court.  It's a civilized place with wonderful British oysters and a nice selection of local specialties.

SEATTLE

A quick visit in Seattle and only time for one meal: for me no question I had to go and visit my friend Thierry Rautureau at his place, Rover's, still considered one of the top Seattle restaurants. No disappointment there...a tasting menu with wines to pair is a good way to taste the best local produce transformed by l'homme au chapeau.