Plates is one of my finest meals in recent months. Beyond satiating the senses, it made me reflect on food. Some of the dishes are indelibly printed on my memory. I find myself reliving them, mouthful by mouthful. And you know what? Plates is vegan.

It’s hard to get to the top, but it’s even harder to stay there. Sixteen years after it opened in 2009, Marea remains one of New York City’s most vital food and wine destinations. Judging by packed rooms on several recent visits, that’s a view shared by many. Food, wine and service are as exceptional as they have ever been, something that was evident on the three recent dinners that inform this article.

Located just a few blocks from Capitol Hill, L’Ardente offers unpretentious, straight-down-the-line Italian fare that has earned a reputation for quality. The atmosphere is lively and the sommelier team is impressive.

Canteen successfully combines casual presentation with quality-driven dishes to provide some of the best Italian food in London. The dishes are polished and so delicious that you will be plotting your return at first chew.

The Basque region is a foodie’s paradise, a cradle for some of the finest fish, meat and dairy in the world. Casa Julián is a bona fide institution, and will certainly be one of my top meals of 2025.

Drouant offers a menu of traditional brasserie fare, presented in a style that is upscale but not at all fussy. The wine selection is to die for.

With Vinous Icons: Italy fast approaching, we are looking forward to welcoming guests from around the world for a memorable weekend of lunches, dinners, seminars and tastings. To help attendees get the most out of the weekend, we’ve put together a list of our favorite spots where wine lovers can enjoy the full breadth of Italian wine. Some of the restaurants on this list have Italy-focused programs, while others offer wines from around the world. We hope this selection is useful for out-of-towners as well as readers who are well-versed in New York City’s vibrant dining scene.

If you want to taste high-level cuisine without pretentiousness, then Belcanto comes highly recommended. Generally regarded as Lisbon’s finest restaurant, Belcanto invites the diner on a gustatory journey with Portuguese celebrity chef José Avillez.

The phrase "neighbourhood institution" connotes a restaurant where passionate, talented chefs with attention to detail have sustained it through the years, a restaurant that stands as a beacon of quality. Henry's End might have opened over half a century ago, but standards remain high and people still love it.

I am always on the hunt for new places to eat in Champagne. Located in the Cazerne Chanzy Hotel & Spa, literally in front of the Reims Cathedral, La Grande Georgette is a welcome addition to my personal list of favorites.

Le Petit Sommelier de Paris specializes in French comfort food favorites. Proprietor Pierre Vila Palleja offers classic bistro fare along with one of the most interesting lists in Paris.

Le B. is a Manhattan restaurant that is unashamedly inspired by the past, offering a stellar cast of classic French dishes in all their indulgent glory.

Vinous readers spending time in Paris will want to book a table at Parcelles. This small bistro/wine bar offers refined cuisine and a superb list. On this cold yet sunny winter day, the cozy, retro dining room is drenched with light, creating a perfect Parisian atmosphere for a relaxed lunch.

When I asked Vinous readers for their Paris dining suggestions, Comice popped up on many lists. Naturally, I was eager to check it out. This recent dinner was nothing short of spectacular.

Osip will become one of the UK’s most sought-after tables. With its sense of innovation and outside-the-box thinking, this was one of the most impressive meals I’ve had in the last couple of years.

Occasionally, you meet a young, bushy-tailed chef and you intuitively know that you’re face-to-face with a future star, a culinary talent in the opening chapters of their career. Sam Lomas is a name to keep your eye on.

Lurra is an unexpected gem nestled in a less-ventured part of London, hiding out of plain sight. I was planning a return visit as soon as I entered its doors.

Taiwan's strong affinity with Japan is deeply embroidered into its gastronomy. At its most fundamental level, Japanese cuisine is about elevating simplicity to its highest level. The ethos of Mudan Tempura takes that principle and runs with it.

This is a perfect dinner to start 2025. The building foments a wonderful rural atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of life, and the sense of history is palpable in every nook and cranny.

Le Lion d’Or is unapologetically traditional and a little quirky. This is hearty, stomach-filling French food that cares little for fad or fashion. That’s why I fell in love with it.

Maison François comes highly recommended, especially for larger groups looking for a livelier lunch or dinner with quality French cooking accompanied by decent wines. There is a relaxed vibe and the standard is a cut above the rest. It nods to the past and yet it feels contemporary with plenty of Gallic style. Most of all, it belongs to a cadre of London restaurants that treats wine lovers with respect.

The Polo Bar is one of my favorite spots in New York City. I realize that may sound somewhat pretentious, given that reservations are very hard to get. Even so, I love the Polo Bar because it screams of Americana and reminds me of my first trips to New York City as a kid when a few nights in Manhattan were the highlight of our family vacations. Back then, I was mesmerized by the raw energy of the city. I still am. For this article, I combined food and wines from several recent dinners.

The 7th edition of Grouse Club was over. Bouchon Racine continues to serve outstanding Lyonnais-inspired dishes and attracts gourmands from afar.

Cornus has hit the ground running. It was a pleasure to see familiar faces, including co-owner David O’Connor. It is a place for a special meal, though, at the time of writing, a three-course lunch for £55 per person means Cornus does not price itself out of many people’s pockets. The standard of cooking is amongst the best I have encountered this year. The wine list is enticing. Service is impeccable.

The food scene in Los Olivos has improved dramatically in recent years. I sensed a palpable increase in the quality of local restaurants on my most recent visit this past July. Perhaps the long-awaited re-opening of Mattei’s Tavern was a catalyst. I can’t say for sure. What does seem evident is that visitors today have unparalleled options when it comes to exploring the local dining scene. Bar Le Côte is one of the crown jewels in Santa Barbara wine country.