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Heather Martin's avatar

Just for fun I thought I`d make a non Michelin top 10.

Kudos to you if you have made it to any of these fine establishments that I have dined in.

1. Ostradamus, Florianopolis......So you start an oyster farm to grow giant ostras? To sell them build

a restaurant shaped like a pier with a glass box jutting out into sea?

It`s air conditioned!! This is Brazil..........

What else would you call it?

2. Kanapa,Kyiv..........................Xmas lunch 2017. Oysters to start then a caviar tasting

(trout/sturgeon/pike/herring), then calves brains on toast then

Chicken Kyiv. All washed down with copious amounts of vodka........

One day I hope to return...it`s amazing value as well.

3.Montoyu Arimaya, Aizu Wakamatsu........It`s a ryokan so a kaiseki set meal.Neither the cook or

the server speak a word of English.Start with a wonderful

chawanmushi and then fish cooked over an open wood fire in front of

you.The best miso soup you will ever taste(they make their own miso

from scratch)....only downside you have to sit on the floor to eat.......

4.Al Frio Y Al Fuego, Iquitos.....It`s a restaurant on a platform in the middle of the Amazon river.You

get on a launch from the river bank. They have a swimming pool on the

platform.

They serve hyper-local and seasonal fruits and vegetables from the rain

forest and river fish that have no English translation.....It is amazing!

5. Il Tiglio, Montemonaco.......It`s set on the top of a mountain road and very prone to Earthquakes.

There was one in 2017 which destroyed the restaurant. Luckily I went in

2015. Luckily they have now rebuilt it. Adventurous and creative food.

Crazy cheap. Worth a journey.....

6.La Picanteria, Lima............They have a chalkboard menu on the wall. It`s only in Spanish. They

only serve fish. You pick a fish and then tell them how you want it

prepared (Ceviche/Sudado/A la Parilla/Jalea)....then you go and sit at

one of the communal tables.....it is wonderful.

7.Wierzynek, Krakow............It`s set in a royal palace.The walls are decorated with tanned calfskins

that have been embroidered and painted. They serve caviar and wild

boar and Roe deer. You will finish with the most amazing boletus

mushroom ice cream. It`s Poland. You will drink vodka.....

8.Gatto Nero,Burano..........You get on a boat (there`s a theme here isn`t there?) in Venice and travel

to the tiny island of Burano. They serve super fresh crudo and then they

make THE BEST risotto in the World with the tiny lagoon fish which

emulsify into the aged rice. Then have some simple grilled fish or

langoustines. Finish with a divine tiramisu....

9.Sabores Peruanos,Chiclayo....The food of Northern Peru is unknown outside of Peru. That is a

travesty. Start with a fiesty Pisco sour and a shot of Leche de Tigre.

A ceviche of conchas negras (blood clams) and arroz con pato (traditional

duck with rice) to follow. This highly regarded local restaurant is open for

lunch only and doesn`t take reservations. Their food is superb.

10.Los Dazantes,Coyocan.....They specialise in insect cuisine. Sure, we`ve all had chapulines

(grasshoppers)...but what about escamoles (ant eggs) or chicatanas (flying

ants)? Maybe finish with some gusanos (maguey worms) washed down

with the tequila that they sometimes end up in a bottle with? There`s plenty

of Mexican chillis and spices that make this a gastronomic experience!!

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Marshall Manson's avatar

Only been to Gatto Nero from that list. But it’s an amazing group.

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Heather Martin's avatar

Top ten....... El Cellar de Can Roca, Mere Brazier, Central, Fat Duck, Disfrutar, Restaurant Jan, Piazza Duomo, Nakahigashi, The Ritz, Le Bernedin

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Marshall Manson's avatar

That's a great list. I'm desperate to get to Le Bernadin.

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Morgan Kelly's avatar

Bouchon Racine. My wife booked for lunch for my birthday and after several failed attempts to contact them simply went there when they were open and sorted out a booking at one of their tables overlooking the street . Marvellous

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Marshall Manson's avatar

Good suggestion. Thanks so much, Morgan.

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Ann-Marie Blake's avatar

Loved The Dover. Looking forward to Cloth. Miss Tuscan Bistro

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Marshall Manson's avatar

I've moved The Dover up my list. Will try to get there soon. And you'll love Cloth, I think. Fabulous food, great atmosphere. Wonderful hospitality.

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Phil Gomes's avatar

Based on that picture of Ave Mario, I think I would just kind of stand there and stare and forget to drink something.

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Marshall Manson's avatar

It's a weird place. And if you did order a cocktail, it would be served in a fishbowl or something similarly oversized.

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Liam Collens's avatar

An impressive list of restaurants! Agree re Piazza Duomo in particular and impressed to see Single Thread shoot up so high on that list. I’m looking forward to your thoughts about Row on 5. I’ve heard good things and I know Row on 45 here in Dubai very well. Jason has a crack team in his stables.

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Marshall Manson's avatar

Thanks, Liam! I will try to get to Row on 5 soon and report book. I've heard good things about Row on 45, too. And I can't tell you how great Single Thread was. Absolute perfection in everything.

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