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Europe Restaurant Reviews

Josephine Chez Dumonet Review, Paris, France

Posted on January 6, 2024

Josephine Chez Dumonet is a popular old school Bistro in the 6th Arrondissement, St. Germain, not far from the Jardin du Luxembourg. It was open in 1898 and is run by 3rd generation Jean-Christian Dumonet. We came to this restaurant to feel what Paris felt like in the old days. They serve half portions so you can sample lots of cuisine. They are known for excellent boeuf bourguignon, steak tartare, and roasted saddle of lamb. Our first visit was in 2009 and we returned in 2024.

Harrods Tea Room, London

Posted on July 14, 2020

We visited London right before the Covid 19 Pandemic Hit. This restaurant may have changed their seating, menu, and more.

Pollen Street Social, London

Posted on July 7, 2020

We visited London right before the Covid 19 Pandemic Hit. This restaurant may have changed their seating, menu, and more.

2012 Rome Restaurant Reviews

Posted on December 26, 2012

We recently finished up our culinary tour of Rome in the Summer of 2012. It was interesting to see how authentic Italian food and restaurants in Rome compare to the ones we have in the San Francisco Bay Area. Below are several Roman restaurants we dined at.

2012 Sorrento, Italy Restaurant Reviews

Posted on November 26, 2012

We recently finished up our culinary tour of Sorrento in the Summer of 2012. This is a very touristy area, one of those classic challenges for foodies. Avoiding a tourist trap is very difficult. Below are several restaurants in and around Sorrento that we dined at.

RE Foods

Ristorante Quadri Review, Venice, Italy

Posted on October 10, 2012

Why did we dine here? – Quadri is a popular restaurant that overlooks St. Marks Square in Venice, Italy. We chose this relatively new restaurant because of its convenient location and the fact that it had one Michelin star. This restaurant has stunning decor which blends Italian style with modern sensibility. With a view of St. Marks square, you can watch all the action while dining on some of the best food in Venice. Our focus was on seafood, as Venice is known for fresh food from the sea. Considering the amount of water around here… This restaurant was a major splurge! It was our only meal in Venice.

2012 Munich Restaurant Reviews

Posted on October 8, 2012

We recently finished up our culinary tour of Germany in the Summer of 2012. It was interesting to see how authentic German food and restaurants in Munich compare to the ones we have in the San Francisco Bay Area. Below are several Munich restaurants we dined at. See our Tantris Review for a two Michelin Star Munich Restaurant.

Wirtshaus In Der Au

Tantris Restaurant Review, Munich

Posted on October 3, 2012

Why did we dine here? – Tantris was designed to be exotic and different. This restaurant has two Michelin stars (the only one in Munich) and stands out from the crowd with its crazy decor. We wanted to eat here as a fine dining contrast to all the meaty and loud restaurants we ate at. Check out our other Munich restaurant reviews.

La Pergola Restaurant Review, Rome

Posted on September 12, 2012

Photo courtesy of OneMansMeat.co

Pipero Al Rex Review, Rome

Posted on September 5, 2012

Our best meal in Rome..

Pizzeria Starita Restaurant Review, Naples

Posted on August 29, 2012

Awesome pizza in Naples, and an outpost in NYC!

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele Restaurant Review, Naples

Posted on August 27, 2012

Best pizza in the world?

Lao Tseu Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 11, 2009

Lao Tseu, which means Old Master in Chinese, is a Restaurant Chinois or Chinese restaurant in Paris’s 7th right on busy Saint Germain Boulevard. We were looking for some non French cuisine to vary things a little bit.

Chez Vong Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 10, 2009

Chez Vong is a fancy Chinese / Vietnamese restaurant located in the 1st Arrondissement, specifically the Les Halles area of Paris. We wanted some Chinese food for a change, so we decided to try this place.

L’As du Fallafel Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 10, 2009

L’As du Fallafel is a very popular, low cost Middle Eastern Fallafel restaurant and is known as the favorite fallafel place of Lenny Kravitz. They have a walk up window that seems to always have a line, as well as a sit down restaurant. Opened in 1979, it is located in the stylish Marais neighborhood, 4th arrondissement, not far from the Musee Picasso. This place is covered by the usual tour books.

Le Cinq Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 9, 2009

Le Cinq is a famous two Michelin star restaurant in the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris, right near the Champs-Élysées. The restaurant had earned 3 Michelin stars in the past. Eric Briffard, formerly of Paris’ Les Elysées has been head chef since 2008. He is known for dishes with a precision of flavors. They serve classic French Haute cuisine using classic French culinary techniques. Le Cinq embraces newer, lighter cooking styles, and always incorporates the freshest regional ingredients. Le Cinq serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has been open since 1999. A la Carte as well as two prix fixe menus (160, 230€) are available at dinner. We choose the cheaper Decouverte Gourmande Summer Menu de l’ete. (160€)

L’Ardoise Restaurant Review, Paris

Posted on October 9, 2009

L’Ardoise is a charming French Bistro located on a quiet street in the 1st Arrondissement, a block from the Jardin des Tuileries, and not far from the Louvre. They have a very affordable 34€ three course meal as well as an a la carte menu. We ordered two of these meals, plus and extra entree. If you need an early dinner, this is one of the few that start dinner at 6:30pm. L’Ardoise is mentioned in many tour books.

L’Arpège Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 8, 2009

L’Arpege is a famous three Michelin star restaurant in Paris run by star Chef Alain Passard. This famous spot opened in 1986. They serve classic French Haute cuisine focusing on seafood, poultry, and vegetables. Their three organic farms outside Paris grow their produce. Vegetables are bullet trained to the restaurant several TIMES a day, to maximize freshness. Alain became bored with meat and removed it from the menu several years ago, but later adjusted to include seafood and poultry. We came for lunch Menu L’Ete des Jardins (The Summer Garden) (120€) available July-September 2009, to lessen the damage to the pocket book. It looked like everyone else ordered it too. They had actually lowered its price by 15€!

La Poule au Pot Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 8, 2009

Since 1935, La Poule au Pot has specialized in chicken hot pot. They have an extremely good value 35€ three course fixed price menu. We ordered two of then plus an extra entree. This restaurant is located in the Les Halles area (Lots of shops and restaurants), and stays open very late.

Chez Georges Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 8, 2009

Chez Georges long standing French Bistro located in the 17th Arrondissement that is known for its Rib Roast, Leg of Lamb, Steak Frites, and desserts.

La Fontaine de Mars Restaurant Review, Paris

Posted on October 7, 2009

La Fontaine de Mars is the known as the famous bistro in the 7th Arrondissement where President Obama went. There is a fountain right outside the restaurant that helped name this place. It is not far from the Eiffel Tower, making this a good place for a meal before/after a visit. They have serve South western French Cuisine including foie gras, duck, and cassoulet since 1908.

Restaurant Guy Savoy Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 5, 2009

Restaurant Guy Savoy (Pronounced G Savoy) is a three Michelin star restaurant in Paris named after the chef owner, who often greets visitors. The Arc de Triomphe is just a couple blocks from here. It was opened back in 1980 and earned 3 stars for the first time in 2002. Guy Savoy has a location in Caesar’s Las Vegas as well as less formal restaurants in Paris. His motto, “Cuisine is the art of instantaneously turning produce suffused with history into happiness.” We had eaten at Guy Savoy Las Vegas and were hesitant to eat here, but one step in the door, eased our fears.

Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 4, 2009

Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain is a quaint Left Bank brasserie in the 6th that serves up classic French fare. It is connected to a 4 star hotel, The Relais Saint Germain and a couple blocks from the Jardin du Luxembourg. The owner, Yves Camdeborde, used to work at the famous Crillon restaurant. Lunch is bistro menu based, while dinner follows a more formal daily changing multi course prix fix menu. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table during lunch. Dinner reservations must be made well in advance. This place is in many tourist guides like the Fodor’s and was on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.

Pain de Sucre Review, Paris, France

Posted on October 4, 2009

Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf in English) is a Foodie must visit patisserie in Paris’s dynamic 3rd Arrondissement known as The Marais. This shop is located a couple blocks from the Museum Pompidou. We visited many food shops in Paris and this one still stands out. The owners used to work for 3 Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire, but left to open this store in 2004.

La Fourchette Restaurant Review, Avignon, France

Posted on October 1, 2009

La Fourchette is a Provencal cuisine bistro located in Avignon about a block from the main street with the Palace du Papes. They specialize in Vaucluse caillettes, Les pieds et paquets, or a great Avignon daube. Their three course prix fix dinner costs a reasonable 30.50€.

Hiely Lucullus Restaurant Review, Avignon, France

Posted on October 1, 2009

Hiely Lucullus is a popular restaurant in Avignon, France on the second floor above a clothing store on a main Avignon street. It reigned supreme for years as the top restaurant until Christian Etienne opened and got a Michelin Star. The haute cuisine served is predominantly French, Mediterranean, and Provencal. Grilled Alpine lamb is their specialty dish. They have some very good deals during lunch (19€). We can for dinner and were allowed to order a lunch deal as well two dinner Menu Carte (35€).

L’ Epice and Love Restaurant Review, Avignon, France

Posted on October 1, 2009

L’ Epice and Love is a quirky but small restaurant in the heart of Avignon, France. Modestly priced, they serve simple food that is well prepared. Madame Marie is the chef and owner and speaks English. The place is rated #1 on Tripadvisor for Avignon probably because it only costs 16.80€ for a 3 course dinner.

Chateau Eza Restaurant Review, Eze Le Village, France

Posted on September 30, 2009

Chateau Eza is tucked away in the thousand-year-old medieval mountain top village of Eze Le Village, overlooking the Mediterranean. We saw Eze Le Village in a Rick Steves’ TV show and knew we had to visit. It is located in a Hotel that used to be the winter getaway for the Swedish royal family.

La Pizza Nice Restaurant Review, Nice, France

Posted on September 29, 2009

La Pizza Nice has served Italian cuisine including pasta, salads, and (You guessed it) pizza since 1956. Their menus do list English translations. They have 3 restaurants in Nice and one in Cannes. They have huge custom made ovens and use volcanic ash baking stones.
Decor, Vibe – Old traditional french decor with lots of dark wood decor and tables. Sidewalk seating was where most people sat. Lots of people watching as this street of shops is very busy.

Restaurant Acchiardo Restaurant Review, Nice, France

Posted on September 29, 2009

Restaurant Acchiardo is a small family run restaurant serving reasonably priced simple traditional French Provencal nicoise cuisine. It is located in Old Town district which is a maze-like labyrinth of small streets. This restaurant is listed in several travel guides.

La Réserve de Nice Restaurant Review, Nice, France

Posted on September 28, 2009

La Réserve de Nice is situated on huge rock overlooking the harbor entrance to Nice, France. It has beautiful panoramic views of the water. It earned one Michelin star in 2009. Their menu changes daily with best values in their prix fix menus. We order one of each prix fix menu plus a Bouillabaisse. They have an upstairs dining room that was closed.

Wagamama Restaurant Review, London, UK

Posted on September 27, 2009

Wagamama is a Trendy, Modern pan Asian restaurant with over 100 locations in several countries including locations in Boston and Washington DC. It was started back in 1992 in London by famed restauranter Alan Yau. (Hakkasan, Yauatcha) We visited the location in the London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 that has been open since March 2008. They serve everything from traditional breakfast to Japanese breakfast, to Salads, Noodles, Udon, Ramen, and rice dishes. They goal is to ‘to combine fresh and nutrition food in an elegant yet simple setting with helpful, friendly service and value for money’.

St John Bread & Wine Restaurant Review, London, UK

Posted on September 27, 2009

The Whole Beast: Nose to Tail Eating by Fergus Henderson

Ba Shan Restaurant Review, London, UK

Posted on September 26, 2009

Ba Shan is a Northern Chinese restaurant located near Chinatown in the Soho area of London. They specialize in small plates and we went for dinner. The menu changes significantly during lunch, so make sure you go when the dishes you want are available. Ba Shan opened in March 2009, their sister restaurant is Bar Shu located across the street.

Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road Restaurant Review, London, UK

Posted on September 25, 2009

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Hakkasan Restaurant Review, London, UK

Posted on September 25, 2009

Hakkasan is a Trendy, Modern Chinese restaurant by famed London restauranteur Alan Yau. (Cha Cha Moon, Yauatcha) He also co-founded Wagamama. It was opened in 2001 and was sold in 2008 to the Abu Dhabi investment arm. Hakkasan also has locations in Istanbul and Miami Beach. This location is about two blocks from the British Museum, making it a great choice for Lunch. Mr Yau’s goal was to create a Chinese Nobu with almost paradoxical Modern Authenticity. Sounds almost like Asian Fusion. 13% service charge. Hakkasan received one Michelin star in 2009.

The Wolseley Restaurant Review, London, UK

Posted on September 23, 2009

The Wolseley serves classic British Cuisine in the Mayfair neighborhood of London, across the street from the famous Ritz Hotel. It opened in 2003. They have everything from Steak Frites to Fish to Roasts & Grills and serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Lunch and dinner menus are identical. 12.5% discretionary service charge.

Borough Market, London, UK

Posted on September 23, 2009

Borough Market is London’s oldest food market. It has been in its current location for 250 years. It is a wholesale fruit and vegetable market most of the time and a retail market 3 days of the week.

The Fat Duck Restaurant Review, Bray, UK

Posted on September 21, 2009

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