Consolidated "Michelin Restaurants" thread
#1051
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
Hey all, of the 6 1* restaurants in Florence, which are your favorites and why? We will have 5 nights in Florence and want to sample some but not all of the Michelin restaurants here. We definitely plan to try 3* Enoteca Pinchiorri, as well. Thanks! (We will be staying at the St Regis, so we obviously will try 1* Winter Garden by Caino in the hotel.)
leggenda dei frati was reasonable. The best dish of the tasting menu was some kind of savory panna cotta with langustine. the beef was not good. pasta was also average. I think I went to another 1* but couldn´t find any pictures.
#1052
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,239
#1053
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
I had dinner at Momofuku Ko last night. I loved the vibe and the open kitchen. I felt even closer to the action than at Atera or Blanca, which are also 2 Michelin star counter-style restaurants in NYC. At Atera the kitchen is set back a bit from the U-shaped counter, and what the counter actually surrounds is an open area and then the wine service table. At Blanca the counter is just one row that all face the kitchen. But at Momofuku the kitchen is entirely surrounded by the U-shaped counter, which I liked.
I also LOVED the beverage pairing. At $175 it was relatively pricey for what is the standard pairing option, but I have to say it was the most interesting and diverse pairing I've ever experienced. In addition to several wines of styles I'm familiar with (100% Pinot Meunier rose Champagne, Syrah from Crozes-Hermitage), there were 3 cocktails (one of which was made from aromatized Nebbiolo wine; another was a house-made Bloody Mary), a dry amontillado sherry, a dry Malvasia, a Jacquere-Chardonnay blend from the Savoie, a still wine from Champagne that had been fortified with brandy, and even a dessert sake that had been barrel-aged! The pairings worked very well with the food. I was told that they are in the R&D phase of a non-alcoholic pairing option, as well.
As for the food, there were some things I loved (the lobster roll with Thai basil amuse-bouche; the buttermilk-marinated skate served with a vin jaune and potato puree; the basil and chocolate dessert; the wild rice ice cream with kombu; and my favorite course, the sea urchin and fermented chickpea paste). I wasn't wowed by the classic egg/caviar dish, as I wasn't a fan of the sour sauce they paired it with. I much prefer the opening egg/caviar/brioche dish on The Modern's tasting menu. I also was unimpressed by the two meat courses, dry-aged beef au poivre and charred duck. The beef was unexciting to me, and the duck was actually cold by the time it was served to me! The cold duck was very unfortunate since the meat had a beautiful char and I appreciated the flavors. I also personally wasn't a fan of the scallop, pineapple, basil, and dashi bowl; it was too sweet for me.
All in all, I enjoyed more my meals at Jean-Georges (adding this to the list since it's now a 2-star), The Modern, Atera, and Blanca. I think two stars makes sense for Ko.
I also LOVED the beverage pairing. At $175 it was relatively pricey for what is the standard pairing option, but I have to say it was the most interesting and diverse pairing I've ever experienced. In addition to several wines of styles I'm familiar with (100% Pinot Meunier rose Champagne, Syrah from Crozes-Hermitage), there were 3 cocktails (one of which was made from aromatized Nebbiolo wine; another was a house-made Bloody Mary), a dry amontillado sherry, a dry Malvasia, a Jacquere-Chardonnay blend from the Savoie, a still wine from Champagne that had been fortified with brandy, and even a dessert sake that had been barrel-aged! The pairings worked very well with the food. I was told that they are in the R&D phase of a non-alcoholic pairing option, as well.
As for the food, there were some things I loved (the lobster roll with Thai basil amuse-bouche; the buttermilk-marinated skate served with a vin jaune and potato puree; the basil and chocolate dessert; the wild rice ice cream with kombu; and my favorite course, the sea urchin and fermented chickpea paste). I wasn't wowed by the classic egg/caviar dish, as I wasn't a fan of the sour sauce they paired it with. I much prefer the opening egg/caviar/brioche dish on The Modern's tasting menu. I also was unimpressed by the two meat courses, dry-aged beef au poivre and charred duck. The beef was unexciting to me, and the duck was actually cold by the time it was served to me! The cold duck was very unfortunate since the meat had a beautiful char and I appreciated the flavors. I also personally wasn't a fan of the scallop, pineapple, basil, and dashi bowl; it was too sweet for me.
All in all, I enjoyed more my meals at Jean-Georges (adding this to the list since it's now a 2-star), The Modern, Atera, and Blanca. I think two stars makes sense for Ko.
#1055
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 676
Am a big fan of counter seating tasting menu restaurants and did Atera, Ko and Blanca on back-to-back nights about 1.5 years ago. The standout for me was Blanca since I find them to be more adventurous and tasty at the same time. Actually have been to Ko and Atera twice and while I find them to be decent, can't say I have been wow'ed. Will be back later this year and hope to do Brookyn Fare and Blanca back-to-back to see which one stands out
#1056
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,012
Am a big fan of counter seating tasting menu restaurants and did Atera, Ko and Blanca on back-to-back nights about 1.5 years ago. The standout for me was Blanca since I find them to be more adventurous and tasty at the same time. Actually have been to Ko and Atera twice and while I find them to be decent, can't say I have been wow'ed. Will be back later this year and hope to do Brookyn Fare and Blanca back-to-back to see which one stands out
As for me, I ate at Coi (3star, SF) last night on the 5th night of Erik Anderson’s new menu. I didn’t eat here before the change in chefs, but the food was absolutely phenomenal. The seafood dishes were all excellently executed, while the meats were also good (the duck torte was okay; the eye of the ribeye - drool). Here’s a few pictures below (not sure how well FT’s upload tool works):
The new menu, Day 5
Dungess crab terrine with black sesame and ginger...incredibly fine texture on the crab here
Sturgeon in chicken cream, cabbage salad, and chicken heart
Eye of the ribeye...so flavorful and succulent
#1057
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Wow, those pictures from Coi look fabulous!
I've noticed that a few more Michelin-starred restaurants have raised prices. Quince is now up to $275 (from $250), Atelier Crenn is going up to $335 in April (service included, was $325), and Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare is now $394.36 (with service and tax included; was previously $330 with service included but no tax).
I've noticed that a few more Michelin-starred restaurants have raised prices. Quince is now up to $275 (from $250), Atelier Crenn is going up to $335 in April (service included, was $325), and Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare is now $394.36 (with service and tax included; was previously $330 with service included but no tax).
#1058
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,012
Wow, those pictures from Coi look fabulous!
I've noticed that a few more Michelin-starred restaurants have raised prices. Quince is now up to $275 (from $250), Atelier Crenn is going up to $335 in April (service included, was $325), and Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare is now $394.36 (with service and tax included; was previously $330 with service included but no tax).
I've noticed that a few more Michelin-starred restaurants have raised prices. Quince is now up to $275 (from $250), Atelier Crenn is going up to $335 in April (service included, was $325), and Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare is now $394.36 (with service and tax included; was previously $330 with service included but no tax).
#1059
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 676
Has anyone been to both Core and Bibendum and can compare the two? Have booked Kitchen Table and Aulis already and am deciding between these two for the last night
Wow, that crab meat terrine looks fantastic!
Wow, that crab meat terrine looks fantastic!
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 15, 2018 at 9:34 am Reason: merge
#1060
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,381
Winter Garden is the only 1* spot I've been to in Florence, and we liked it a lot! Wine selection and great service particularly stood out for me.
Not a Michelin star, but if you're into wine, Osteria dell'Enoteca was one of my favorite meals in Florence. It's opened by a group of ppl who started a wine bar down the street, so needless to say the wine selection was fantastic. Instead of bringing you a wine menu, they take you into their cellar to choose a bottle. Definitely worth a visit if you have time.
Not a Michelin star, but if you're into wine, Osteria dell'Enoteca was one of my favorite meals in Florence. It's opened by a group of ppl who started a wine bar down the street, so needless to say the wine selection was fantastic. Instead of bringing you a wine menu, they take you into their cellar to choose a bottle. Definitely worth a visit if you have time.
#1061
La Maison de Têtes Girardin - Colmar
As promised my review of the fantastic La Maison des Têtes Girardin in beautiful Colmar with one Michelin star: La Maison de Tetes Girardin - Fine Dining Colmar
An overarching theme, every dish tasting like a piece of heaven, elegant yet simplistic-Scandinavian atmosphere, and the most friendly and sincere service you can imagine.
Btw: including wine I was only billed 150 EUR for 8 courses.
On leaving, when chef Éric Girardin came out to bid me farewell, I could see honest happiness in his face when I told him how excellent the evening has been. I'll be back, Monsieur
An overarching theme, every dish tasting like a piece of heaven, elegant yet simplistic-Scandinavian atmosphere, and the most friendly and sincere service you can imagine.
Btw: including wine I was only billed 150 EUR for 8 courses.
On leaving, when chef Éric Girardin came out to bid me farewell, I could see honest happiness in his face when I told him how excellent the evening has been. I'll be back, Monsieur
#1062
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 427
Planning a trip to Chicago, and just saw that Grace has abruptly closed?! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/d...t-closing.html
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
#1063
Planning a trip to Chicago, and just saw that Grace has abruptly closed?! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/d...t-closing.html
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
#1065
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,726
Planning a trip to Chicago, and just saw that Grace has abruptly closed?! https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/d...t-closing.html
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!
This will actually be my first time in Chicago. Of course will try to go to Alinea, any other recommendations/tips are highly appreciated please! Thanks in advance!