2016 - Page 8 of 9 - Gazing and Grazing

Isshin – For True Meat Lovers, Raw or Cooked

February 19th, 2016

This is beef, possibly at its utmost incarnation. Isshin presents the best parts of high quality Japanese cattle, from tongue to tail, in a variety of Kyoto kaiseki inspired interpretations including one that resembles the local sushi. While I had some reservations about this 2-Star Michelin restaurant, particularly as it involves eating raw beef, it was probably the best food experience I've had in recent months. Dishes were creative but were careful to highlight the natural taste and...

Kanazawa – Three Good Meals

February 15th, 2016

Fancy some great seafood? There are a few good reasons to go to Kanazawa - one being the fresh seafood from the Sea of Japan, the other two in my opinion are the Kutani porcelain and Kenrokuen Garden (see my photos). The new bullet train link to Tokyo makes a short trip to Kanazawa, known as "little Kyoto", all the more accessible. I spent two days, one night in Kanazawa a year ago (see my earlier blog and suggested itinerary) and had three good meals. Pricing ranged from a relatively...

Attica – One of Melbourne’s “Musts”

February 7th, 2016

I've been watching a documentary on Ben Shewry, chef of Melbourne's Attica, and thinking that I must return to the restaurant. Attica uses local ingredients - yes, wallaby, for one - but presents them in a totally delicious manner. While some of the dishes can be said to be experimental, I found that he didn't go overboard - not like Mugaritz (see blog) in Spain where some dishes were definitely challenging. The other reason for returning was that the entire experience was a lot of fun...

Arzak is Resting on Past Laurels

February 6th, 2016

Arzak, one of San Sebastian's leading restaurants, doesn't seem as novel as it once must have been. Indeed I couldn't shake the sense that the restaurant is resting on its past laurels and coupled with patchy service for a Michelin 3-Star restaurant, our experience was disappointing. I'm hoping that perhaps we got them on a bad day but I don't think the dishes were memorable enough to warrant trying them again. Especially when there are so many other good restaurants in San...

Asador Etxebarri – Ultimate Grilling

February 6th, 2016

This has got to be one of the most fulfilling restaurants in the world. Humankind discovered fire for this reason - to cook meat, and no one does it better than Etxebarri. The freshest produce supplied by nearby farms and fishermen are grilled just right, and without a lot of dressing so that the natural taste of the food comes through. From fish to steak, even cheese, every course was pure joy.

Located midway between Bilbao and San Sebastian, Etxebarri is worth the taxi ride...