The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2013

The results are in and El Celler de Can Roca took the top spot as the World's Best Restaurant in the World. Luckily for us, we dined there back in 2011. I know the results are subjective but a list is a list. To me, it means I don't have to dine there as it will be hard to get a reservation for the unforeseeable future. I tend to look at the new entries or restaurants at the bottom of the list because a select few with time will eventually make it up the list. For example, Restaurant Andre in Singapore was ranked at the bottom of the list a few years ago and now ranks at #38. I wished I dined there during our trip in 2011.

 

Steak tartare from El Celler de Can Roca

 

An interesting ranking on the list was Eleven Madison Park (ranked #5) as it surpassed Alinea who dropped to #15. What goes up, must come down. I wasn't too surprised as I witnessed some things that were unacceptable (e.g. bad attitudes of young chefs to visible wear of the table tops). I still think Alinea is a great restaurant but it makes you wonder if too much attention is being spent on Achatz's other restaurant Next. Whatever it is, I hope it invokes game changing ideas at Alinea.

 

Narisawa, Asia's Best Restaurant in 2013

 

What's next? As for travel, I'm hoping Hubs travels to Australia as it's a country I would like to explore. I originally wanted to go to Hong Kong but the bird flu outbreak continues to be a threat. Out of convenience, we'll likely travel to Napa during the summer. New York is an option for the Fall and perhaps Europe next spring. Right now Hubs has a impending trip to India and I'm trying not to drown in research projects.

Las Vegas: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Last weekend we dined at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas, NV. We opted to order from the ala carte menu as we had a few hours to eat before the Price concert.

Here's what we had:

Bread basket

 

Amuse bouche

Foie gras parfait with port wine and parmesan foam

 

Le Foie Gras

Traditionally poached chilled duck foie gras

 

Le Burger

Beef and foie gras burgers with caramelized green peppers

 

Dover sole for Two

Glazed with lemon butter sauce

 

Pommes Purée

Robuchon's Famous Mash Potatoes

 

La Framboise

Fresh raspberry surprise inside white chocolate sphere, yuzu ice cream

 

We both agreed the amuse bouche was exceptional that day. I can't get enough of foie gras now that it's banned from California. The dover sole was the evening's special which was de-boned in front of us. Hubs took video which I will post later. The dessert was a perfect sphere before it was doused with a raspberry glaze. Overall, this was a great meal before attending an exciting show by Prince.

 

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

3799 S Las Vegas Blvd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

(702) 891-7358

 



How-To: Book Reservations



I hate booking reservations. Over the years, it has gotten ridiculous hard to book regardless of what economic state this country is in. From Ticketmaster-like systems to simply dialing a phone number 100 times with no results, I've decided enough is a enough. I'm throwing in the towel and leaving it up to professional services to endure the agony.

Booking reservations at restaurants outside the U.S. have an additional layer of difficulty: Local time zone and language. Unless you're a local, sometimes you're required to call at a specific time for "English-speaking" diners.

Last year, I found out two of my credit cards had complimentary 24/7 concierge services. I decided to take a chance with the service to book dinner reservations at the elusive RyuGin in Tokyo, Japan. Within a few hours of filing out an online form from Visa Signature Concierge, I get this email.

No more waking up at 3am or practicing my dialing techniques. The service works and I'm never booking reservations myself ever again. The biggest challenge would be booking the French Laundry. I've tried for the last 5 years with no success. Maybe this year will be the year.

Overview of conceirge services:

Visa Signature Concierge

• Complimentary 24/7 concierge service for Visa Signature cards
• Requests via phone or online
• Common cards: United Airlines Explorer or Hawaiian Airlines Visa Signature

Mastercard World Elite

• Competitor to Visa Signature Concierge. Also complimentary 24/7
• Requests via phone
• No annual fee

AMEX Platinum Card Concierge

• $450 annual fee
• Requests via phone
• Holds table reservations for card holders in certain regions.

Best of Best

After having this blog for nearly five years, I've compiled a list of dishes that were truly unforgettable. These are definite "must-have" eats and drinks which were thought-provoking and have made a permanent impression on my long-term memory. Essentially, this is my rendition of the Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" from A-Z.

This list is located in a new tab called "Best of Best" at the top of the blog.

Direct link: http://mysocalledfoodblog.blogspot.com/p/fa.html

*Note: This is completely my own opinion. I don't claim to be a food expert nor is this my full-time job. I am a researcher by trade so any "research-related" stuff I can claim would be legitimate (e.g. how to book reservations, etc). I get a lot of questions about where I've eaten and what were the "best" things I've ever eaten. I figured it was time to put a stake in the ground and mark the territory.

Pictured: Macarons from Laduree, Tokyo and Gambas Al Ajillo from Jaleo in Las Vegas, NV.

What's Next: Las Vegas

Later this month, we're heading back to Las Vegas to celebrate Hub's birthday weekend. We were in Las Vegas not so long ago but we didn't go to any new restaurants aside from our usual spot, Raku.

During our last trip, there were a few things I had to do while in town:

1. Pick up our CD of our wedding at the Bellagio. Four years isn't long at all.
2. Watch the Cirque du Soleil show, O. Courtesy of M life, we also got the best seats in the house.

For Hub's birthday, we're going to the Prince concert at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. This was a long time coming as we've waited 5 years to go to his concert. Before the concert, we're having dinner at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, courtesy of M life. I can't say no to comped dinners.

Once, I get my concert fix, I'll be back to my regular blogging schedule and finally post the rest of our photos from our trip to Tokyo. So far this year, we're seeing Rihanna, Prince and Bruno Mars. 

Instagram: Honolulu, Hawaii

This was my first trip to Hawaii without my DSLR. I took a break from being a food paparazzi to enjoy the great weather and local eats. No fancy dinners this time around.

• Northshore

• Famous Coconut Cake at the Halekulani

• "Tunnel of Trees" on Nuunau Pali Drive

• Fish and chips from Blue Water Shrimp & Fish Market

• Fresh coconut juice

• Nuuanu Pali Lookout

• Malasadas from Leonard's Bakery

• Luau at Paradise Cove in Ko'Olina

• Matsumoto Shave Ice

• View of Diamonhead Crater from Halekulani

• Seafood Salad from Blue Water Shrimp & Fish Market

• Famous Kahuku Shrimp Truck

• Pineapples at Dole Plantation

• Spam favored macadamia nuts from the Dole Plantation

• Sunday Brunch at the Halekulani

Hawaii: Halona Blowhole

We just got back from vacation a few weeks ago but it seems like I need another one. It will be sometime before we take another break so I'll stare at these videos I took from our trip.

This is the Halona Blowhole located in South Oahu. The loud noise isn't from the waves but the 35 mph winds. I was holding on to the railing for dear life to shoot this video.

Sandy Beach, Honolulu, HI

Halona Cove, Honolulu, HI

What's Next: Honolulu, Hawaii

It's been awhile since I posted anything on this blog. I haven't taken a vacation since we got back from Japan last November. We're taking a family vacation with my mom to celebrate her 70th birthday. I would have preferred to go to Paris, France but my mom wanted to go to Hawaii. It's her birthday so her call.

I didn't plan on dining anywhere new or special. Just the usual spots: Shrimp trunk, luau, Sunday brunch at the Halekulani, Roy's, Ono's Hawaiian, Leonard's and that's about it. We've taken a break from fine dining since our dinners from Japan was ridiculously expensive. Two of the restaurants that we dined at were recently recognized as Asia's Best Restaurants in the World so the expense was well worth it.

I think our next international trip will be Hong Kong but I'm not sure when. Most likely toward the end of the year but it depends on my work schedule and if I've accumulated enough vacation hours to take a two week trip. Otherwise, we'll probably take some domestic trips here or there.

Mahalo!

Shibuya, Tokyo: Meiji Jingu Shrine

The Meiji Jingu Shrine is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. It is located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Before entering the shine, you have to wash both of your hands and raise your mouth out. Here's a good video demonstration.

At the shrine, we watched several ceremonies during the Autumn Grand Festival as well as other Shinto activities, like offerings at the main hall, buying charms and amulets or writing a wish on an ema.