You might have heard of something called ‘Epicureanism’. Well, this is a system of philosophy that puts pleasure and comfort at the center of everything. Life is too short and full of agony. The only way to gain a sense of tranquility is to enjoy the simple pleasures that can be found in the most basic of all things. Things like food, for instance.
Yes, food is a vital source of happiness for most people. The feeling of fulfillment which comes when you consume your favorite dish is like none other. For me, it’s a steaming bowl of mac-n-cheese on a crisp October evening, with F.R.I.E.N.D.S tuned on my Spectrum TV. Sounds like an ideal time, doesn’t it? It sure is.
That being said, I often urge my social circles to expand their food repertoire. To experience the culinary pleasures outside their comfort zones, and to savor the exquisite cuisines which the whole world has to offer. Thus, a lot of restaurants have made my bucket list this year. Restaurants which have been hailed as the best in the business by a convention which took place somewhere in June. Check these top restaurants out below and do visit them the moment an opportunity arises. I know I will.
1. Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)
Jazz and contemporary artwork adorn the interior of this classy restaurant, located on a cobbled street in Modena. Massimo Bottura is the head chef of this Italian joint who is known to weave narratives through this dishes. There is one called the ‘Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different textures and temperatures’—a cheese-fest. And another one named as ‘The Crunchy Part of the Lasagna’ which is the chef’s own reinvention of the classic Italian dish. Dessert-wise, ‘Oops I dropped the lemon tart’ is definitely worth trying.
2. Ultraviolet (Shanghai, China)
An avant-garde experience in its own way, this staggeringly innovative restaurant is the creation of Paul Pairet. It’s located on the outskirts of Shanghai and has an ambiance which melts together sounds, lights, scents, temperatures, and theatrical experience. Boasting a twenty-course menu, some of its most famous dishes include ‘Tomato Mozza And Again’, ‘Egg gruyere raviolo with truffle and asparagus’, and ‘Foie Gras Can’t Quit’ etc.
3. El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain)
Three brothers uphold the culinary sanctity of this place, located in the medieval city of Girona. One is a famous pâtissier, the other is a sommelier and the last one’s a proper chef. Together, they create delicious works of wonder with a cutting-edge technique in a contemporary ambiance. There’s a walk-in cellar there too. Some of the famous dishes include, ‘charcoal-grilled lamb consommé’, ‘cuttlefish with sake lees and black rice sauce’, and the special ‘perfume’ desserts.
4. Gaggan (Bangkok, Thailand)
For four years in a row, Gaggan Anand’s restaurant has topped the charts for being the best eatery that Asia has to offer. Why? Due to its colorful cuisine and its fiery bite-sized creativity. On its 25+ course menu, you’ll find an interesting mix of purely Indian and roughly global. Signature dishes include Mexican-inspired ‘Taco Bites’, ‘Yoghurt Explosion’, ‘Lick It Up’ and ‘Nigiri Sushi’.
5. Arpège (Paris, France)
Alain Passard’s brainchild is a heaven for vegetarians. He is so devoted to this culinary medium that he even purchased a biodynamic farm plot back in 2002. Fresh vegetables and fruits are regularly supplied to the Arpège on a daily basis and prepared at the same time without having to see the inside of a refrigerator. This technique gives you a burst of the untempered, purely organic and rejuvenating flavors you’ve been missing out all your life. His signature dish is the ‘hold-cold egg’, which is totally worth trying.
6. White Rabbit (Moscow, Russia)
Perched at the top of a skyscraper, this Alice-in-Wonderland themed restaurant is as upscale as it gets. Consisting of vintage furnishings and an arched glass-dome roof, the White Rabbit is an advocate for an essentially Russian cuisine. Everything is rooted in the local ingredients, which offer a refreshing engagement of sorts if you ask me. Chef Vladimir Mukhin heads White Rabbit with a 9-course tasting menu consisting of ‘Pomegranate & Salted Tomatoes’, ‘Duck, Elderberry & Coffee’, and ‘Willow Herb & Honey’ etc. These combos are truly one-of-a-kind!
7. Eleven Madison Park (New York City, USA)
It is a widely held belief that food brings people together. A simple piece of bread serves the purpose of harnessing social relations. This is the principle at work in New York’s finest restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, located in the iconic Art Deco building. Co-owned by the Swiss chef Daniel Humm and Will Guidera, this restaurant offers a seven-course tasting menu, with Humm’s ‘Roasted Duck with Honey and Lavender’ taking the popular vote. Apart from this, you have the ‘Black and White Cookies’ as a famous minimalistic dessert.
So, what are you waiting for? Start saving money now and plan these culinary-inspired international travels. In this lifetime!
Daisy Smith is a tech-writer and tech-blogger whose work majorly focuses on the internet service providers, tech-news and social media. She works in close collaboration with the ISPs and tech companies and explain the pros and cons of their provided services like Xfinity bundle deals on platforms like Local Cable Deals and others. If you want to learn about an ISP, give her read a try.