Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)

We have made Osteria Francescana the main dining event of our honeymoon trip. We chose to stay at Bologna, which is a 45 minute train trip from the restaurant’s town of Modena.

The classic menu offers a twist to all the regional cuisine and ingredients. Every dish was a highlight but my favourites would be the “5 ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different temperatures and textures” (self-explanatory), “all the tongues in the world” (very tender veal tongue with exciting choice of sauces), and “foie gras crunch with Traditional Balsamic Vinegar” (best pre-dessert I have had).

World #3 ranking well deserved.

1. Tempura with carpione
2. An eel swimming up the Po River
3. Caesar salad in Emilia
4. Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different temperatures and textures
5. Cotechino 365 days a year
6. Snails under the earth
7. All the tongues of the world
8. Foie gras crunch with Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena
9. A potato waiting to become a truffle


Details:
Osteria Francescana
Via Stella 22
Modena, Italy
http://www.osteriafrancescana.it/

Neta (New York)

After a full day of sightseeing we headed to Neta for dinner, we decided to order the ‘omakase’ (chef’s choice) to sample the best that the restaurant can offer.

The meal was a progression of fantastic flavours starting from the fresh Dungeness crab salad, to tataki, uni and scallops, tempura, salmon tartare on rice… then to a series of sushi. Our highlight of the meal was definitely the melt-in-your-mouth toro sushi and the overflowing uni suishi.

What a way to end a fantastic day!

Details:
Neta
61 West 8th Street
New York, NY 10011
http://www.netanyc.com

Crave Sydney Luke Mangan Pop Up Restaurant at Thomas Dux

We made it to Luke Mangan’s pop-up restaurant at Thomas Dux Crows Nest as part of the Crave Sydney festival. The deli section of the grocery was bracketed for 40 diners with Chef Mangan and his team working behind the counter.

The meal was served tapas style and all the dishes were accentuated by different spices “from Morocco to Mexico”. My favourites were the curry spiced tempura prawns in steamed buns (served like a taco), and the succulent BBQ rubbed baby chicken.

Confession: we took an extra chocolate doughnut dessert home for later (sorry!)

Details:
Luke Mangan Pop Up Restaurant
Crave Sydney 2012
Thomas Dux Grocer Crows Nest
http://cravesydney.com/event.php?intid=3581

Kawanami 川波 (Nara Japan)

We visited Kawanami for dinner during our visit in Nara, Japan. It is a 1 Michelin star restaurant reputed for growing its own vegetables.

The highlight of the night was the tempura courses consisting of broad beans, potatoes, onions and seafood. Opposed to the typical dipping sauce, we were presented with a big crystal of salt to grind for dipping. And peas must be in season and many of the sweet little things were featured in most dishes – including the rice.

It was a meal without any fanciness you expect in Japanese restaurants – yet so delicious.

Vegetarian sets are available.

Details:
Kawanami 川波
奈良県奈良市芝辻町4-6-14 沢井ビル １Ｆ
Nara, Japan
http://www.nara-kawanami.jp/

Kadensho (Arashiyama Kyoto Japan)

When we travelled to the famous Arashiyama Onsen region near Kyoto, we stayed at the Kadensho ryokan. Little did we know that we were in for a feast.

Our included dinner featured a wide range of Japanese dishes, including all the traditional dishes from the Kyoto region. In addition, there was all-you-can-eat tempura that was made to order. Enough said.

If dinner was not enough, there were late night ramen noodles and dessert available. In addition, the breakfast buffet offered a wide range of Japanese and Western foods – including a chocolate fountain.

Details:
Kadensho
嵐山温泉 花伝抄
京都府京都市西京区嵐山西一川町5-4
Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
http://www.hotespa.net/hotels/kadensho/

Yama (Sydney)

Queen Victoria Building is a place where I frequent for shopping, but never dining. Recently we visited Yama, a Japanese café hidden among the jewellery stores on level 2, for a bite to eat.

While the menu presented a large variety of Japanese dishes, the food served is rather westernised. Tempura was done well and portion size generous. However, my katsu curry was on the mild side – even in Japanese curry standards. Service was polite and it was nice to get a free bottle of wine from the credit card dining program.

Details:
Yama Japanese Cafe Restaurant 
2/455 George St 
Sydney NSW 2000