Celebrity Life

“All that glitters is not gold” a well-known expression which means that things may not always be as they outwardly appear, does not accurately characterize Bullion, the latest culinary excursion of Michelin star-awarded  Chef/Owner, Bruno Davaillon. The name “Bullion” references gold and is a prevalent, decorative theme throughout the restaurant. A stunning golden vessel clad […]

The post Bullion: Chef Bruno Davaillon’s Ode to Classic French Cuisine appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

For the seventh edition of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, the prestigious awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, returned to Macau for a second year, bringing together the region’s leading chefs, restauranteurs and culinary elite at Wynn Palace once more. 

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Finally knocking chef Gaggan Anand off the top of the list is Singapore's Odette, with Chef Julien Royer at the helm claiming the titles for The Best Restaurant in Asia and The Best Restaurant in Singapore with his Asian-inspired, contemporary French cuisine. Located within the National Gallery of Singapore, Odette is recognised for its artisanal approach -- a reflection of the art housed within the iconic location -- and their impeccably executed cuisine.

Gaggan won Asia's Best Restaurant for four consecutive years from 2015 to 2018 for his eponymous Indian restaurant in Bangkok, and told Prestige how he was “ready to lose” last year. The chef claims second place for the restaurant but is now preparing to close it in 2020. He will be opening a new restaurant called GohGan, a collaboration with chef Takeshi “Goh” Fukuyama, in Fukuoka in 2021.

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Hong Kong claimed nine spots on the list; The Chairman climbed up from No. 22 to No. 11, whilst first-time entrants VEA, helmed by chef Vicky Cheng, and Seventh Son took home No. 34 and No. 44, respectively. Most impressive, however, with this year's Highest Climber award, is popular modern French bistro Belon, jumping an incredible 25 places to No. 15. Meanwhile in Macau, Jade Dragon rose eight places to No. 27, and Wing Lei Palace made its debut at No. 36.

Other movements in Hong Kong to note: 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana rose one spot to No. 12, Richard Ekkebus’ Amber (which is currently closed for renovation) slipped from No. 7 to No. 21, Ta Vie from No. 16 to No. 50, fine-dining Cantonese restaurant Lung King Heen from No. 24 to No. 38, and David Lai's Neighborhood fell slightly from No.32 to No.37. Ronin and Caprice, unfortunately, dropped off the list altogether.

Ahead of the ceremony, three awards outside of the ‘50 Best’ list were announced including Miele One to Watch, which was presented to Singaporean chef Jimmy Lim of JL Studio in Taiwan. Only two years after opening, Lim has become one of Asia’s rising stars and continues to wow diners with his mod-Sin (or modern Singaporean) fare. Garima Arora of Gaa in Bangkok, one of Gaggan’s pupils, took the Highest New Entry at No.16 and won the elit™ Vodka Asia’s Best Female Chef award. Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto of Nihonryori RyuGin in Tokyo was awarded the American Express Icon Award for his vision in progressive Japanese kaiseki cuisine.

Other winners included the Valrhona award for Asia's Best Pastry Chef, which went to Fabrizio Fiorani from Il Ristorante Luca Fantin in Tokyo. The Most Sustainable Restaurant Award in Asia was presented to Locavore in Bali, Indonesia, and the Art of Hospitality Award crowned Hong Kong's 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana the leader in the industry.

To create the list, a poll is collected from a group of 318 experts (made up of highly regarded food writers, critics, chefs and restaurateurs) across Asia who cast ten votes, in order of preference, for the restaurants they have had their best dining experience at in the last 18 months. At least four of those votes must be for restaurants outside of their home country.

Here's the full list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2019:

1. Odette - Singapore (The Best Restaurant in Singapore and Asia)
2. Gaggan - Bangkok, Thailand (The Best Restaurant in Thailand)
3. Den - Tokyo, Japan (The Best Restaurant in Japan)
4. Sühring - Bangkok, Thailand
5. Florilège - Tokyo, Japan
6. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet - Shanghai, China (The Best Restaurant in China)
7. Mume - Taipei, Taiwan (The Best Restaurant in Taiwan)
8. Narisawa - Tokyo, Japan
9. Nihonryori RyuGin - Tokyo, Japan
10. Burnt Ends - Singapore
11. The Chairman - Hong Kong
12. 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana - Hong Kong
13. Mingles - Seoul, Korea (The Best Restaurant in Korea)
14. La Cime - Osaka, Japan
15. Belon - Hong Kong (Highest Climber)
16. Gaa - Bangkok, Thailand (Highest New Entry)
17. Indian Accent - New Delhi, India (The Best Restaurant in India)
18. Il Ristorante Luca Fantin - Tokyo, Japan
19. Bo.Lan - Bangkok, Thailand
20. Le Du - Bangkok, Thailand
21. Amber - Hong Kong
22. Nahm - Bangkok, Thailand
23. Sazenka - Tokyo, Japan (New Entry)
24. La Maison de la Nature Goh - Fukuoka, Japan
25. Sushi Saito - Tokyo, Japan
26. L'Effervescence - Tokyo, Japan
27. Jade Dragon - Macau
28. Paste - Bangkok, Thailand
29. Fu He Hui - Shanghai, China
30. Raw - Taipei, Taiwan
31. Shoun RyuGin - Taipei, Taiwan
32. Jaan - Singapore
33. Les Amis - Singapore
34. VEA - Hong Kong (New Entry)
35. Ministry of Crab - Colombo, Sri Lanka (The Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka)
36. Wing Lei Palace - Macau, China (New Entry)
37. Neighborhood - Hong Kong
38. Lung King Heen - Hong Kong
39. Nouri - Singapore (New Entry)
40. Waku Gin - Singapore
41. TocToc - Seoul, Korea
42. Locavore - Bali, Indonesia (The Best Restaurant in Indonesia)
43. Toyo Eatery - Manila, Philippines (The Best Restaurant in Philippines/New Entry)
44. Seventh Son - Hong Kong
45. Quintessence - Tokyo, Japan
46. Dewakan - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (The Best Restaurant in Malaysia/New Entry)
47. Sugalabo - Tokyo, Japan (New Entry)
48. Sorn - Bangkok, Thailand (New Entry)
49. Corner House - Singapore
50. Ta Vie - Hong Kong

For more information, visit Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

The post Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019: Singapore’s Odette Takes the Top Spot appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As I arrived at Como Metropolitan Hotel in London’s Mayfair, I found myself wondering if I was in the right place. A brash brightness and the overwhelming scent of hotel lobby was not what I had come for. Walk a few meters to your right, however, and you find yourself immediately transported to a classic, low-ceilinged, dimly-lit brasserie where that... View Article

The post Gridiron Review: A Haven For London Meat Lovers appeared first on Elite Traveler.

Quality live music is essential to the Palm Beaches’ dining scene. Here’s where to find the best acts.

The post 6 Spots for Live Music and Food in Palm Beach County appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

The food scene in Barcelona is not limited to tapas and a glass of vermouth. Currently, 25 one, two, and three Michelin-starred restaurants pepper the city limits offering diners incredible high-end culinary experiences. Two spectacular choices worth a visits are Caelis and Enoteca. Caelis – Romain Fornell Chef Romain Fornell obtained his first Michelin Star […]

The post Top-Notch Dining in Barcelona, Spain: Caelis and Enoteca appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

The definition of Izakaya is a Japanese pub. The award-winning Amsterdam based Izakaya Asian Kitchen and Bar is located in the middle of the vibrant “De Pijp” area of the city and is housed in the Sir Albert hotel. The restaurant concept was devised by Israeli born entrepreneur Yossi Eliyahoo co-founder of the Entourage Group. […]

The post Award Winning Amsterdam based Izakaya Asian Kitchen & Bar appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

A world-class restaurant scene underscores this neighboring city’s growing sophistication

The post Fort Lauderdale for Foodies appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

Retreat to these 5 nearby restaurants, all of which feature golf-themed libations to continue the celebration.

The post The 5 best bars for a post-Honda Classic cocktail appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

It’s time to show off those chopstick skills because a gateway to the Far East has opened on Palm Beach.

The post Hai House puts a modern spin on Chinese American cuisine appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

During the month of March, local bartenders will be stirring up creative cocktails for a good cause: ending child hunger.

The post Support No Kid Hungry during “The Shake Up” at these local restaurants appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

Style appears to be as important as substance at Mezemiso, a Japanese-Lebanese fusion and London’s newest luxury rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant. The experience begins as soon as you step inside the glass elevator at the Crowne Plaza Albert Embankment. In a flash, it whisks guests from the lobby to the 14th floor, offering panoramic... View Article

The post Mezemiso Review: A Japanese-Lebanese Fusion appeared first on Elite Traveler.

Last weekend myself and my Catherine #2 (aka, CMK) visited The Kensington Hotel to experience there brand-new and *very* instagrammable, London Landmarks afternoon tea. We visited a few years back to test out the Alexander…