kkwchan
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Posts posted by kkwchan
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We are visiting Moscow and St. Petersburg in October. Has anyone been to those caviar tours? If so, any recommendation?
Also, I already read through all the topics related to Russia, but if you have any suggestions, do let me know. Thanks
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So each member wrote a list of 5 best restaurants and then all the lists from 682 members were summed up to come up with top 100?
Basically, the Academy forgot to divide by the number of visits. E.g. if there are a total of 100 members visiting El Bulli but it only had 50 votes, then a score of 50%. And say Oaxen, only 20 members visited but it got 19 votes, then a score of 95%. It indicates Oaxen is much better, however, looking at the absolute amount of votes, El Bulli is much better than Oaxen, 50 votes vs 19 votes!
Hmmm... Good point. From that website, it seems to me that they just ranked the absolute votes without taken into account the number of members visit. So yes, unless the restaurant is already well-known where people would detour to visit, otherwise, it would be a huge disadvantage for restaurants in remote locations because not many members will bother to visit.
They should fix this error for next year. Then it would be a more representative ranking.
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I am going on a honeymoon in October for 2 weeks. We are staying in Oia, Santorini (Mystique), Mykonos (at the Belvedere) and Athens (Grand Bretagne). I am trying to compile a list of the "not to be missed" restaurants. Any advice would be very much appreciated.
THanks
I just got back from Athens. I went to two of the three Michelin starred restaurant: Varoulko and Spondi. Forget about Spondi, just another French meal. But Varoulko would be more worthwhile. If the weather is nice, the dinner is served at their open-roof terrance with a superb view of Acropolis.
I also tried 48. The restaurant design is extremely trending and unique... glass floor with running water underneath. The chef worked in El Bulli and he created a tasting menu for us. Unfortunately, we didn't like it at all. Weird combinations with unpleasure taste... we couldn't finish a few dishes. We have been to El Bulli and enjoyed it. But I think the unique ambience in 48 might worth a visit... maybe just have a drink at their trendy lounge and forget about the dinner... if you have time.
For Santorini, we visited 1800(Oia) and Koukoumavlos(Fira). Those two are the highly recommended restaurant according to some local ratings.
Here are all the info:
http://www.48therestaurant.com/
1800: 2286071485
Koukoumavlos: 2286023807
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Someone told me don't go to Alba after the festival as all the good quality truffles are gone, only go during the Alba truffle festival. Agree or Disagree?
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Swiss_chef and pedalaforte, thank you for the suggestions. I guess I will change my plan and go back to Alba and Monferrato region. I already emailed http://www.buongustotours.com/ to arrange a tour for 4 of us. Swiss_chef, I did mention it was referred by you, I hope that's okay. Thanks again
By the way, anyone who is interested on joining the Sensorial Truffle Analysis on Sat. Nov10, please let me know as they need a minimum of 8 people, I only have 4. Or if anyone who has experienced it and think it is a waste of money, do let me know as well.
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Anyone familiar with San Miniato in Tuscany? I have been to Alba last November and heard that it is better to visit San Miniato as some truffles in Alba are actually from San Miniato. You would get cheaper and fresher truffle there. They also have a Truffle fair last three weeks of November. I will be there end of November. Anyone know how's their truffle festival compares with Alba? Any restaurants suggestion for special white truffle menu? Thanks
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I would certainly hate to see the day when restaurants charge for mere reservations. Or when a food enthusiast site like this is used for the purpose of auctioning off reservations (unless it were for charitable purposes).
Yes, I hate to see that too. But other than for El Bulli, I can't imagine there are people who's willing to pay for other restaurant reservations. In addition, there are only few people who're willing to give up their El Bulli booking. So I don't think this will happen.
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He wasn't aware of the existence of Egullet until now. I think he might even be willing to give it to someone. He just didn't want to cancel the reservation because he tried so hard, like everyone here, to get this reservation.
Hmmm... I don't know what are the rules around these sorts of stuff. eg. Many people do sell some sporting event tickets for multiple times the Face Value on Ebay right?!
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A friend of my coworker has put an El Bulli reservation on ebay.co.uk. for August.
He wants to sell it at any price. Otherwise, he'll just cancel the booking.
Just thought some of you might be interested.
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A friend of my coworker put an El Bulli reservation on ebay.co.uk. He wants to sell it at any price. Just thought some of you might be interested.
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Has anyone been to Victoria & Albert in Grand Floridian?
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dinin...bertsDiningPage
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This is an interesting point. In 18 months el Bulli is open for a maximum of 12 months, but depending on when the voting takes place, this could be closer to nine. Added to this, there is only one service daily, 5 days a week, and the place seats something like a maximum of 50. 250 covers x 36 weeks = 9000 covers. If only half of the voters placed el Bulli on their lists somewhere then nearly 4% of el Bulli's customers in the past 18 months, or two at every service, were panelists on Restaurant Magazine's juries.
Sounds reasonable,
Zoticus, there is a flaw to your calculation. You don't need half of the 651 voters to place El Bulli on their lists in order to make it Number 1. It is not that there are only two restaurants in the whole world such that you need more than half of the total votes to place El Bulli in Number 1. There are actually hundreds of restaurants to spread the votes, so even only 20 voters place El Bulli on their list of five can be enough to make it Number 1!
In conclusion, you definitely don't need two Restaurant Magazine's juries in every El Bulli's service to make it Number 1.
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What does everyone think?
Lee
Yes, quite surprised that River Cafe is back, but even more surprised at Le Bernardin. I've been to 35 restaurants on that list in the past 12 mth, Le Bernardin was not even comparable with others. All seafood dishes were quite ordinary. The langoustine that they served wasn't even fresh that I had to complain to the manager.
I think the list is starting to stabilize as they have not changed their voting method that much from last year's: Same Top10 restaurants, and no change at all in top 6.
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Got my reservation for April 1st, I think it is their opening day.
Hope the kitchen won't be too messy on their first day after a 6-month break.
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Anyone can tell me how to make reservation in Gambero Rosso in San Vincenzo for February?
I visited their website and cannot find the restaurant info. I called few times... but we are having trouble in communication... he doesn't quite understand my English and I don't understand his Italian. He mentioned Fax, but I don't use fax. Is there an email?
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Rumours he was about to close la Ferme de mon père started in january 2005, but
Just called la Ferme for reservation next year. They said they just changed ownership and chef.
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I was planning to visit his three Michelin star winter restaurant in December, but just heard that he sold it recently. He will just focus on his 3 star summer restaurant la Maison.
Anyone has more news on this?
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I kept them in a closed jar wrapped in a damp dish towel that he gave me. The jar was quite oversized for what was in it so there was plenty of air. I kept the jar in a soft sided lunch box type of cooler and carried it on. I kept changing the ice every few hours in a ziplock.
Thanks for the info. Few more questions about storage:
- damp dish towel... how wet should it be?
- it is better with an oversized jar so that it has plenty of air?
- changing ice every few hours... what is the proper temperature to keep truffle?
- Also, when you buy the truffles from stores in Alba, does it come in a small jar or something? It must have some kind of packaging ready for travellers. If not, is it easy for me to buy packs of ice over there?
Thanks
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MUST disagree with this. Took out-of-towners there last month (after warning them about potential cost).
It was superb (as always) - about $140 including taxes and tip (for 4) and we couldn't eat everything we ordered.
I was in Toronto in May and visited LWH twice. I don't think it was as good as before. Two other friends of mine dine there recently felt the same way too. Fine, before it was really good, now it is good. Well, maybe we are biased as all three of us are chinese....... hmmm, but it is a chinese restaurant.
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[Look through this thread to see what lunch can be like at J-G. There is no question in my mind that that is your best option for lunch. It also happens to be a great deal.
I have not eaten at The Fat Duck, but was disappointed one year ago at Pierre Gagnaire. I love WD-50, however, it is nothing like Gagnaire. At Gagnaire the setting is much more formal and elegant and the food much more complicated in presentation. The food at WD-50 is complicated in conception, but relatively minimalist in presentation with very clean lines and flavors. If you are interested in hypermodern cuisine, WD-50 is the best example and possibly the only pure example in New York City for dinner. The cuisine is unique. Most who eat there love it. Some do not.
Thanks docsconz, we had our lunch at JG. It was very good and not expensive at all. The egg in egg is unbelievable. WD50 is quite special too... but the restaurant is more casual than I thought. And as you said, it is a simpler version of Gagnaire and Fat Duck.
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Sorry to keep hijacking this thread but any suggestions for chinese (dinner)?
Thanks for the great recs of bakeries too!
You are not interesting in dim sum (only lunch)? If you are, Dragon Dynasty (Scarborough North), King's court (downtown), and the Empire Court (Hilton - Hwy7 and Warden). LaiWahHeen in metropolitan is not good anymore.
For dinner, there are many types of chinese in Toronto... don't know what you prefer. Do you want casual or more upscale? Northern chinese, canton province, seafood meal, taiwan type, just fried rice/noodle type....?? Any location preference?
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Just a quick update/FYI, The Fifth has changed quite a bit in the last year... so it might not be the same dining experience as before i.e. Thuet is long gone, Challet has left, and I believe it's call The Fifth Restaurant and Social Club now with a simplified menu that concentrates on the grill.
Yap, I know Thuet is gone to open his own restaurant Thuet (beside susur). But I didn't know Challet has left. Where is he now?
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Adelaide, if you are looking for a more modern dining experience, I would try Susur, a short taxi ride from your hotel.
I have been to Fat Duck and Pierre Gagnaire, I found Susur is unique in the way that it has a more asian touch to each dish. I like it very much... at least two years ago before I left Toronto.
For sushi, Kaji is the best in Toronto, but it is too far for you. I suggest Takesushi (in BCE place on Front street). Omi is okay. But if you are from Vancouver, you have lots of good sushi over there. eg. Yoshi's on Denman, the live prawn and lobster were superb....
For French, Fifth (they only open few days a week for dinner) or Thuet (beside Susur) is pretty good.
Oh, Splendido is quite good too.
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wkl, since you are going to Alba, below is a scheldule of Truffle festival which should be helpful. I am currently doing some planning for my Alba trip in Nov. I was talking to a manager in Oud Sluis (3 michelin star in netherland), he told me not to buy cheap truffle from the market. Some people bought few truffles and realized later that some truffle were filled with brick inside so that it weights heavier. He said Alba is famous is robbing tourist during truffle season. I've never been there but that is what he said to me.
Anyone can suggest me a restaurant in Alba which has good truffle menu/dish during the season? I asked the Alba tourist info centre, they just sent me a list of 40 restaurants. Also, there's about 6 one michelin star restaurants in Alba, are they good for truffle dish? I know there are few general postings on Piedmont restaurants, but I just need one lunch and one dinner in Alba specifically for truffle during the season.
I know they do some truffle hunting excursions, anyone has experienced them? Any advise would be helpful. And, can I bring truffle into UK?
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76th National Fair of the White Truffle
The programme day by day
Friday 22nd of September
9pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Opening Night Concert by Antonella Ruggiero
Saturday 23rd of September
9pm - Piazza Duomo
Investiture of the Podestà
Historical re-enactment
Sunday 24th of September
10am/6pm - Piazza Garibaldi
Truffles wine and VW beetles
VIIIth Convention of Alba
2pm/8pm – Historic town centre
“The Wine Festival”. Wine tasting stands
5pm - Piazza Duomo
“Bela Trifolera 2006” beauty parade and show.
Award giving ceremony
Friday 29th of September
5pm – Sinio Theatre
Presentation of the Romantic Road of the Langhe and Roero
Saturday 30 of September
9am/8pm Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
3.30pm - Piazza Duomo
Historic Pantalera in costume
5pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Opening night of the exhibition “Nunziante and the new figuration” by the Painter of the Palio, Antonio Nunziante
Sunday 1st of October
9am/8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
9am/8pm - Piazza Falcone
Market stalls in the Piazza – gastronomic specialities
9am/8pm - Piazza Rossetti
Herb Market
10am - Piazza Duomo
Assignment of Donkeys to the Town Districts
2.30 – Historic Town Centre
Medieval parade with one thousand participants in costume
4.30pm - Piazza Osvaldo Cagnasso
Donkey Palio
Thursday 5th of October
9pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
The Choirs of the Langa and Roero event
Friday 6th of October
5pm - Historic town centre
“Banda in Fiera” – Musical Event featuring bands conducted by Maestro Claudio Taretto
5.30pm - Teatro Sociale
Opening Ceremony of the 76th White Truffle of Alba National Fair
6.30pm - Historic Town Centre
Cortile della Maddalena
Palatartufo – Cutting of the ribbon and official opening of the 76th White Truffle of Alba National Fair
7pm - Palazzo Mostre e Congressi - Piazza Medford
Official Opening of the Exhibition “From Sassu to Fontana: artists’ posters for the Truffle Fair”, organised by the Ferrero Foundation
Saturday 7th of October
8am/11pm – Alba Bowls Green - Corso Nino Bixio, 40
XXth “Truffle Fair” National Bowls Competition
9am/midnight - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
3.30pm/6.30pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Theatrical performances dedicated to authors from our lands: Arpino, Fenoglio and Pavese, presented by the “Marianna Torta Morolin” theatre company of the “Famija Albèisa”, performances all day
3.30pm/6.30pm - Piazza Savona
Raid Historic Cars “The 1930’s: travelling with the old lords and ladies”.
Parade of historic automobiles with characters in period costume
6.30pm - Historic town centre
The White Night of the White Truffle of Alba
Historic Town Centre - Opening night aperitif
Piazza Duomo – Concert given by the “I Casadei” orchestra, with dance floor
Piazza San Francesco - Concert given by “I Trelilu”
Chiesa di San Domenico - Gospel Concert presented by the Geografalbum Association
Entry to Palazzo Mostre e Congressi – “The Crystal Nights”, Gallizio and Alba live.
Piazza Elvio Pertinace
“La Esquina Caliente” and typical tropical “Chiringuito”
Piazza Falcone – “the Harmony of Dance” presented by A.C.E.M. and Alballetto
Piazza Savona
“Roerissima”. Oeno-gastronomic evening
Cortile della Maddalena Palatartufo – Truffle Market
“AlbaQualità” farm produce event – Tasting of niche products
Bars, restaurants and shops stay open
Sunday 8th of October
8am/11pm – Alba Bowls Green - Corso Nino Bixio, 40
XXth “Truffle Fair” National Bowls Competition
9am/8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
9am/8pm - Piazza Falcone
Market Stalls in the Piazza – gastronomic specialities
9am/8pm - Piazza Rossetti
Herb Market
10am/6pm - Historic town centre
Chocolate meets the Truffle
3.30pm/6.30pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Theatrical performances dedicated to authors from our lands: Arpino, Fenoglio and Pavese, presented by the “Marianna Torta Morolin” theatre company of the “Famija Albèisa”, performances all day
10am/5pm
Raid Historic Cars “The 1930’s: travelling with the old lords and ladies”- Panoramic tour of the Langhe
Wednesday 11th of October
8am/1pm - Piazza Osvaldo Cagnasso
Piedmontese Cattle Show featuring cattle from Alba
Thursday 12th of October
9pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
The Choirs of the Langa and Roero event
Saturday 14th of October
9am/8pm Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
3.30pm/6.30pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Theatrical performances dedicated to authors from our lands: Arpino, Fenoglio and Pavese, presented by the “Marianna Torta Morolin” theatre company of the “Famija Albèisa”, performances all day
4.30pm - Teatro Sociale
Historic Hall – Vth Edition of the Grinzane Cavour Alba Pompeia Prize
5pm - Historic town centre
“Banda in Fiera”, musical event for bands conducted by Maestro Claudio Taretto
8.30pm - Historic town centre
The Truffle Bacchanal, banquet organised by the town districts of Alba with traditional music and dancing
Sunday 15th of October
9am/8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
9am/8pm - Piazza Falcone
Market Stalls in the Piazza – Gastronomic specialities
9am/8pm - Piazza Rossetti
Herb Market
10am/6pm - Historic town centre
«Il Borgo si rievoca» - Historic re-enactment of medieval life with tasting of local produce
3.30pm/6.30pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Theatrical performances dedicated to authors from our lands: Arpino, Fenoglio and Pavese, presented by the “Marianna Torta Morolin” theatre company of the “Famija Albèisa”, performances all day
Thursday 19th of October
9pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
The “Teremin”. In memory of Pinot Gallizio: “Musical Experiments from the Anti-matter Cavern”
Friday 20th of October
4pm – Ferrero Foundation
“Langhe and Roero, Unesco heritage” conference
Saturday 21st of October
9am/8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
3.30pm/6.30pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Theatrical performances dedicated to authors from our lands: Arpino, Fenoglio and Pavese, presented by the “Marianna Torta Morolin” theatre company of the “Famija Albèisa”, performances all day
5pm - Historic town centre
“Banda in Fiera” – Musical Event featuring bands conducted by Maestro Claudio Taretto
6pm – Alba Town Hall Council Hall
Official ceremony recognising the internationality of the White Truffle of Alba National Fair
9pm/11pm - Teatro Sociale
50th Anniversary of the foundation of the Alba Rotary Club
Concert given by the Bartolomeo Bruni Orchestra - Suzuky Orchestra of Turin
Sunday 22nd of October
9am/8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
9am/8pm - Piazza Falcone
Market stalls in the Piazza – gastronomic specialities
9am/8pm - Piazza Duomo
Aromatica, the historic town centre tells its story through Medicinal Herbs
3.30pm/6.30pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
Theatrical performances dedicated to authors from our lands: Arpino, Fenoglio and Pavese, presented by the “Marianna Torta Morolin” theatre company of the “Famija Albèisa”, performances all day
Thursday 26th of October
9pm - Chiesa di San Domenico
The Choirs of the Langa and Roero Show
Saturday 28th of October
9am/ 8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
5pm - Historic Town Centre
“Banda in Fiera” – Musical performance by bands conducted by Maestro Claudio Taretto
5pm Chiesa di San Domenico
Opening night of the “Town of Alba” National Art Prize Exhibition
Sunday 29th of October
9am/ 8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
10am/7pm - Historic town centre
Langhe and Roero in the Piazza.
Tasting stands
3pm - Historic Town Centre
Vth Festival of the “Battista Destefanis” Memorial Flag
Saturday 4th of November
9am/ 8pm - Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
6pm Teatro Sociale
Presentation of the Truffle of Year
Sunday 5th of November
9am/ 8pm Cortile della Maddalena - Palatartufo
Truffle Market and AlbaQualità, event celebrating the oeno-gastronomic specialities and niche products of the Langhe and Roero
Sunday 12th of November
Castello di Grinzane Cavour
VIIIth World Truffle Auction
For further information on the truffle fair:
ENTE FIERA NAZIONALE DEL TARTUFO BIANCO D’ALBA
Piazza Medford, 3
12051 Alba (cn)
Tel. and fax +39.0173.361051
www.fieradeltartufo.org – info@fieradeltartufo.org
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Caviar Tours
in Elsewhere in Europe: Dining
Posted
Thanks for the info. I will definitely keep that in mind. I also had some dishes topped with caviar in some restaurants... but I don't know if they are Russian or non-Russian. Maybe I will know how to distinguish them if I do end up going to those tours.