Vinous Table: Marea, New York, NY
United States: New York, Vinous Table
, Aug 2018
Organized at the last minute, this intimate dinner with a small group of friends is a fabulous way to spend a summer evening in Manhattan. I always find it relaxing to step into Marea’s elegant dining room, perhaps because my memories of this space go back to the days when it was home to Tony May’s iconic San Domenico. Since 2009, Chef/Owner Michael White has delighted guests with a contemporary fish and seafood-based menu that is just as exciting today as it was when Marea first opened. The pastas in particular showcase White’s cooking and creative flair to a great effect.
Vinous Table: La Trompette, London, UK
Vinous Table, United Kingdom
, Aug 2018
La Trompette, née 2001, used to be a good local restaurant but lagged behind others owned by Nigel Platts-Martin, such as Chez Bruce, The Ledbury, The Glasshouse and The Square (the latter since sold and frankly a pale imitation of what used to be one of the capitals finest restaurants.) Located in Chiswick in West London, it literally lies round the corner from Hedone that Antonio recently reviewed. Refurbishment in 2013 saw La Trompette shut its doors and reopen with more ambition. Rob Weston, who had worked at La Gavroche and subsequently as Phil Howard’s right hand man at The Square for 15-years, took the menu to a completely different level. I am probably not the only person opining that La Trompette is the most consistent, well-priced, Michelin-starred restaurant in London and I say that as someone who has eaten there 30 or 40 times.
Vinous Table: Ristorante Museo Caruso, Sorrento, Italy
Italy, Vinous Table
, Jul 2018
Caruso is one of the most unique restaurants you’ll ever dine in, perhaps because it effectively doubles as a museum dedicated to the great Neapolitan tenor. Though the interior décor might lead you think otherwise, the food and the wine list here are remarkably good.
Vinous Table: SingleThread Farms
United States: California, Vinous Table
, Jul 2018
This recent dinner at SingleThread was one of the most remarkable meals I have had in a very long time. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, everything was simply perfect. Fabulous food, a welcoming atmosphere and first-class service make SingleThread a must for readers visiting Northern California wine country.
Vinous Table: Taverna del Capitano, Nerano, Italy
Italy, Vinous Table
, Jul 2018
Taverna del Capitano is one of Italy’s best restaurants. Located right in front of the mesmerizingly blue waters of the Amalfi Coast, Taverna del Capitano is also one of the most beautiful too.
Vinous Table: Osteria dell’Ingegno, Rome, Italy
Vinous Table
, Jul 2018
Osteria dell’Ingegno is a typical Roman neighborhood eatery that locals flock to. Most often, there is nary a tourist in sight. Ingegno is a haven of solidly cooked food, and offers a very good selection of intelligently chosen wines.
Vinous Table: Shang Palace, Hong Kong, China
China, Vinous Table
, Jun 2018
A lovely place for lunch I will be happy to go back to again, Shang Palace is an award-winning Hong Kong restaurant that offers a very good dim sum. The wine list is good and varied but, could use more focus.
Vinous Table: Hide, London, UK
Vinous Table, United Kingdom
, Jun 2018
If a restaurant is the nexus between food and wine then Hide is London’s most important opening this year. Born with a platinum spoon in its mouth, Hide has everything: the location, the chef, the staff, the decor, the wine and behind it all, money... a lot of money. That is no shoo-in for success, but it helps. Given how Hide’s existence stems from wine, it is likely to become an oenophile Mecca, and I have a duty to give Vinous readers the lowdown. Allowing them six weeks to settle in, I wanted to see whether Hide would impact London’s restaurant scene in the same way as Hedonism did for fine wine retailing.
Vinous Table: Marino Ristorante, Hollywood, CA
Vinous Table, United States: California
, Jun 2018
This intimate dinner with a small group of close friends came together literally at the last minute. Getting a reservation for six on a Saturday night in LA with no notice is not exactly the easiest thing to do, but I was thrilled we were able to get in.
Vinous Table: Hedone Restaurant, London, UK
United Kingdom, Vinous Table
, Jun 2018
This spectacular dinner at Hedone was a fitting conclusion to an incredible week in London, a city that continues to dazzle with its vibrant food and wine scene.