Elements
The most exciting gastronomic venues of the world
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1 On any journey, all of our senses are bombarded by a myriad of impulses. The most complex sensations, and for many people the ones with the greatest impact, are aroused by sampling local foods: flavours, fragrances and the spectacle of dishes all remain fixed in the memory. There are foods in the world that are so special as to make it worthwhile crossing an ocean for, or travelling around the globe. Well, although there are only few who can set out on
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a journey simply for a single flavour, the truth is that if the occasion arises then the superb specialities presented on the following pages must – at all costs – be tried!
Great Britain
London
3 Fifteen 15 Westland Place,
Modern British gastronomy knows no borders! In fact, it has undergone a spectacular revolution since the mid-1990s, and thanks to the presence of leading chefs today the city is packed full with quality restaurants.
London
The finest in British cooking can be eaten in Fifteen, the charity restaurant of enfant terrible of British cuisine Jamie Oliver. Modern British cooking is also on display at Tom's Kitchen, the restaurant of Tom Aikens, Michelin-starred chef, where the primary emphasis is on the freshness of ingredients. Both the confit lamb and the sea bass come highly recommended. Classical English dishes can be sampled in the Michelin-starred Saint John restaurant renowned for its unchanging high quality. As a result of the city’s incredible cultural diversity, the visitor finds no problem whatsoever in trying out the cuisine of other parts of the world. There is, for example, the famous Indian restaurant, Veeraswamy; in addition to the various special curries the past of the restaurant is equally worthy of attention, particularly the host of rich and famous personalities who have dined here in the last near 100 years. Benares, which boasts a Michelin star, invites the guest on a journey of exciting discovery, as does Amaya, which is outstanding among Indian restaurants primarily for its grilled specialities. In this city of star chefs, those who prefer Italian cuisine should book a table at Locanda Locatelli, Giorgio Locatelli’s restaurant, where they can sample masterpieces of creative Italian cooking at its best.
London N1 7LP, England Veeraswamy Victory House, 99 Regent Street, London W1B 4RS, England Benares First Floor, Berkeley Square House, London W1J 6BS, England Amaya Halkin Arcade, Motcomb Street, Belgravia, London SW1X 8JT, England Balthazar 4-6 Russell Street, London WC2B 5HZ, England The Windsor Castle Seymour Place, London W1H 7NE, England
Just as everywhere else in the world, street food is also taking over London. Not content with remaking the hamburger, the true street grub and archetypal British fish & chips is also being revamped and added to the menus of many restaurants. For those hankering after traditional British fare, don’t miss out on a full English breakfast, guaranteed to pack the body with sufficient calories to last through a full day’s sightseeing or work.
Anyone passing through London is virtually obliged to step into a genuine pub. The atmosphere of the British pub is so welcoming that anyone staying in the city is sure to pick out their favourite local where they can take breakfast or relax after a busy day. As well as classical ‘olde worlde’ pubs – for instance, The Windsor Castle in Notting Hill – it is also worth taking the time to visit the elegant Balthazar, which debuted this year. It welcomes all its guests with a cosy, stylish interior and superb food.
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France
Marseille, Paris
La Première passengers organize their meals as they wish, with total freedom to select the dishes that most appeal to them at the time they are most ready for them. Air France cultivates this “French fine art of entertaining” in minute detail, both in terms of the quality of the cuisine as well as in its choice of elegant tableware and linen.
The French art of cooking has long been at the forefront of international gastronomy. Masterpieces of cuisine carefully and consciously developed over several hundred years are, today, known in all corners of the world. When in France, it is essential to try some of the country’s iconic dishes and be won over by the latest trends. As well as classical French bistros such as Bistro Volnay in Paris, it is well worth visiting Akrame close to the Arc de Triomphe; its young and enthusiastic chef approaches bistro cooking from a completely new angle. La table du Lancaster ser ving haute cuisine dishes combines understated intimacy with the elegance of the Champs-Elysées; the menu also includes elements of classical French dining.
7 Pierre Hermé 72 Rue Bonaparte,
There are equally great restaurants in the port city of Marseille in the south of France. Le Petit Nice, which has three Michelin stars along with a fantastic panorama and unique interior design, serves characteristic regional dishes. The best known catch of local cuisine (naturally focused to a considerable extent on the fish-rich Mediterranean) is bouillabaisse, and Chez Fonfon (established: 1952) is one of the best places to sample this incredible rich fish soup.
Paris Marseille
75006 Paris, France La table du Lancaster Hotel Lancaster, 7, Rue de Berri, Paris, France Bistro Volnay 8 Rue Volney, 75002 Paris, France Le Petit Nice
Light breakfasts and lunches are served not only in French bistros but in many of the delightful cafés one comes across during a city tour. Two great choices are Café Procope, which has been around since 1686, and Café de la Paix, the terrace of which makes a fine place to dine.
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The macaron is a type of meringue made of almond flour and given a particular flavour through the buttercream filling. It comes in a multitude of varieties, and a visit to the store in Paris of the world’s most famous macaron maker, master confectioner Pierre Hermé, is now an essential part of a visit to the capital. Premium macarons are served in the gift shop of Ladurée confectionery and tea room located at the superb M departures hall of the recently renewed Terminal 2E, Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport. Another dessert craze is the so-called cronut, a French refinement on the marvellous croissant pastry. Fried like a doughnut, the cronut also comes with a variety of cream fillings
Anse de Maldorme, 13007 Marseille, France Chez Fonfon 140 Rue du Vallon des Auffes, 13007 Marseille, France Café Procope 13 Rue de l'Ancienne Comédie, Paris, France Café de la Paix 12 Boulevard des Capucines, 75009 Paris, France
Spain
Barcelona
9 Jamonissimo Calle Muntaner 328,
One of Europe’s most dynamic and friendly cities is not only packed with sights. Its fantastic gastronomic traditions also make it well worth the visit.
Barcelona, Spain Cal Pep Placa de les Olles 8,
Barcelona
When in Spain, don’t forget to visit several tapas bars. Queues can sometimes form outside the best establishments, although this only adds to the local jovial atmosphere, and since tapas dishes can be prepared quite quickly it is likely that a table will soon be free. Cal Pep is the best and the most famous tapas bar in Barcelona. However, if you are looking for something totally new, make a reservation at Comerç 24. In addition to the new wave Spanish molecular gastronomy hallmarked by Ferran Adrian, the restaurant delivers classical Catalan dishes in a new, chic moody environment.
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The finest quality Spanish ham is to be tracked down at Jamonissimo, where jamon serrano and jamon iberico can be tried in a separate tasting room. And for something truly out of the ordinary, give the bellota a go. Molecular gastronomy is the branch of cooking based on scientific principles and creating food with an understanding of chemistry and physics. Spanish chefs have proved to be the true scientists and greatest artists of this sub-discipline.
08003 Barcelona, Spain Comerç 24 Comerc, 24, 08003 Barcelona, Spain Kiosko Universal Plaza de la Boqueria Ramblas, 08001 Barcelona, Spain Dos Palillos Elisabets 9, 08002 Barcelona, Spain Orio C/ Ferran, 38, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona serves up an amazing array of tapas, the popular Spanish appetizer. The bite-size snacks together with a glass of wine can serve not only as a starter but as a main course, too. The fact is that tapas dishes are a way of showcasing the true cuisine of Spain and wide range of quality Spanish ingredients. Most tapas are lovingly fashioned mini dishes in themselves.
A stroll through the city might end up at Orio bar, where travellers enjoy traditional and novelty tapas in a modern interior, or Dos Palillos, where trad Catalan dishes are spiced up with the flavours of the Orient. For anyone looking for the authentic, 100% Spanish breakfast, Kiosko Universal at Boqueria, Barcelona’s central market, is the place to be.
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China
Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing
A trip to China might be said to be incomplete without having a taste of the socalled thousand-year-old (or hundred-year-old) eggs, which, contrary to their name, are actually completed in a much shorter time (around six weeks). Due to the unique preparation technique, they are absolutely delicious.
Chinese food is to be found all around the world, but for those who insist on the authentic flavours or nothing, then it is essential to order the signature dishes of the given region on the spot, in China itself. There is no doubt that this vast country has a bewildering plethora of different cooking styles influenced in part by the neighbouring countries and the ingredients that can be produced in the given climate. The three best known are Sichuan, Beijing and Cantonese. T h e c a p i t a l o f C a n to n e s e c u i si n e, Shanghai, showcases hundreds of exciting restaurants, one of which is Fu 1088 set in matchless surroundings, a colonial villa furnished with antiques. This is the venue in which to experience the former colonial life while enjoying excellent dishes. Another locale for Cantonese cooking at its best is the Art Deco-style Yi Long Court, where Michelin-starred chef Tang Chi Keung puts together classics of Chinese gastronomy. Flair on the rooftop of The Ritz is a charming spot to enjoy a drink. The terrace on the top of the skyscraper also serves up a stunning panorama over Shanghai’s busy nightlife.
13 In Hong Kong, it is worth looking out for Above & Beyond, a fine dining restaurant serving dishes that are exciting and traditionally based yet with a new interpretation. Guests are attracted not only by the magnificence of the food but also by the memorable views over Victoria Harbour. Among the house specialities are marinated poultry and jellyfish served with cantaloupe and honeydew melon. Beijing Hong Kong
Shanghai
Of course, the famed Peking duck is a must in Beijing. The meat is cooked in a particular way and there are several restaurants in town that prepare this dish to an extremely high standard. A couple of examples: Da Dong and the famous Huajia Yiyuan restaurant, the specialities of which include duck dishes created in a variety of ways.
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Starting from 1st October 2013 for a period of 6 months Thibaut Ruggeri will sign five dishes for Business class customers on long haul flights. This is the first time that Air France is working with a very young Chef, winner of the Bocuse d’Or 2013 . By choosing Thibaut Ruggeri to represent fine French cuisine on board its long-haul flights, Air France has made a bold choice. The 33 year old young Chef’s cuisine emphasizes seasonality of products, combining modernity and aestheticism, following the example of the generation of talented young Chefs that he embodies.
Yi Long Court 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu, Shanghai, China Fu 1088 375 Zhenning Lu, Shanghai, China Flair 8 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong, The Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, China Above & Beyond 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Hong kong, China Da Dong 5/F, Jinbao Dasha, Jinbao Jie, Beijing, China Huajia Yiyuan 235 Dongzhimen Nei Dajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
Singapore This Asian city-state is renowned for its restaurants. Thanks to the broad range of styles and types on offer, everyone is guaranteed to find the place that best suits them. In international cuisine terms, the best eater y in Singapore is Restaurant Andre, managed
by Taiwan-born chef Andrew Chiang, when he staged with Ducasse, Gagnaire and RoÂb u chon amongst others. Its menu is characterized by a purity of line and a respect for ingredients, while creati v it y is ver y much in evidence in every single dish. As a consequence of its enormous popularity, guests are
advised to book a table at least one month in advance. One of the city’s best Japanese restaurants, Tatsuya, resides in the elegant, old world style G o o d w o o d P a r k H o te l . T h e k itch en r u n by Ro n nie Chia serves immaculate quality dishes to connoisseurs of Japanese
15 gastronomy. One interesting feature is that Tatsuya enhances its Japanese ingredients with Chinese herbs. The city’s other world-famous Japanese restaurant is Waku Ghin; extremely exclusive, the main dining room boasting a marvellous panorama of the city skyline is capable of hosting a maximum 25 people at any one time. The kitchen is run by Tetsuya Wakuda, the Japaneseborn Australian chef whose guiding principles are purity, humility and passion. Singapur
Restaurant Andre 41 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089855 Tatsuya 22 Scotts Road Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221 StraitsKitchen
If you want to indulge a passion for currently fashionable street food, StraitsKitchen is a great place to start. The restaurant makes it easy to ‘eat through’ the streets of Asia, allowing the street food of all different Asian cuisines to be sampled on the buffet table.
What street isfood? These days street food means the type of food that we all know from fast food restaurants and street vendors but presented in new versions and to a much higher quality.
Teh tarik is one of the most popular beverages in Singapore. The hot, milky tea originating from India is made from black tea and condensed milk. Its preparation ranks as a spectacle in itself in many cafés and eating shops.
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There are daily flights to Singapore from both Paris and Amsterdam. On these longhaul flights, comfort and fine catering form the basis for an enjoyable experience from beginning to end.
10 Scotts Road, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Singapore 228211 Waku Ghin Marina Bay Sands. Casino Level 2, Bayfront Ave Singapore 018956
South Korea
Seoul In many respects the f undam ent als o f le ss well k n ow n Korean cooking resemble those of the surrounding countries. Like China, rice is the primary food, while various vegetables and meats also receive considerable emphasis. One of the essential basic ingredients of
seasonal-type cuisine is kimchi, a popular dish during the winter months. Anyone wishing to get to known Korean cooking better is advised to b o o k a t able at S amwo n Garden, which ser ves classical dishes and entertains guests
with the world famous Korean open-display kitchen in which so-called galbi – specially marinated – meats are prepared. As well as open-display kitchens, it is also well worth while trying out hanjeongsik-style dining resembling the extravagant
17 banquets of royal palaces and aristocrats, one of the most authentic representatives of which is the Song Joon Heon restaurant. This is the place to really indulge oneself while getting an insight into genuine Korean gastronomy.
Samwon Garden 623-5 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul
Tou Sok Chon, sited in a traditional Korean building, has a distinguished reputation and is popular among tourists; the house speciality is samgyetang, a garlic, sweet chestnut and ginseng chicken soup cooked for several hours. The aroma is further enhanced with around 30 different herbs and spices.
For those diners looking to match excellent quality food with unique vistas, then Top Cloud in Jongno Tower, a favourite among locals, may be the answer. The restaurant with modern interior and views across the river Han serves international cuisine (it is recommended to make a booking well in advance).
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What is �kimchi�?
Kimchi, which is known to have been made nearly 3000 years ago, bears many similaritie s with saue rkraut. For thousands of years the Koreans obtained their daily inta ke o f e sse ntial vita mins through the long winter months from these various fermented, pickled vegetables.
Top Cloud JongnoTower 33F, 1-1 Jongno 2-ga, Seoul, South Korea Song Joon Heon 37-1 Unni-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, South Korea Tou Sok Chon Jongno-gu Chebu-dong 85-1, Seoul, South Korea.
ndia
Mumbai It is not only traditional Indian cooking that the visitor to Mumbai, one of the world’s most populous cities, comes across. The fact is that the city is packed with prizewinning restaurants and first class chefs who are totally inspired by the country.
Indigo, not far from the Taj Mahal Palace, offers a high standard of quality, passionate and creative cooking both to visitors longing for the f lavours of Europe and those interested in Indian gastronomy. The meeting place for the rich and famous, Indigo, is
the perfect place to relax, primarily in the Black Lounge on the ground floor. The restaurant has an excellent selection of wines and single malts. For those more inclined to sample pure Indian cooking, Nawab
19 Saheb makes an interesting choice. The restaurant is located in the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Center Hotel. The perfect culinary experience is accomplished through a relaxed, attractive interior design and the highest quality Indian cooking.
Indigo 4. Mandlik Road, Colaba, Mumbai, India Nawab Saheb
Mumbai
Af icionados of international gastronomy are recommended to head for Koh Ian Kittichai, the Thia restaurant of Thai superstar chef Ian Kittichai, or the Japanese restaurant Wasabi by Morimoto hallmarked by Hemant Oberoi; it was recently voted one of Asia’s top 50 restaurants.
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Everyone is sure to find the perfect dishes among the basically vegetarian but extremely diverse Indian cuisine. Some of the many things one must try: bread made in a variety of methods and baked in a tandoor, and curry-spiced vindaloos, chicken tikka and corma. Ask for a glass of lassi to accompany the meal. The classical lassi is a yoghurt drink mixed with a pinch of salt, but a sweet lassi flavoured with a ripe mango goes well with any dessert and also serves to quench the thirst. An excellent indication of the progressive gastronomy of Mumbai is that JoĂŤl Robuchon, who holds 28 Michelin stars from around the world, intends to open a new restaurant in the Aayu Mumbai luxury hotel that is due to open shortly.
Renaissance Mumbai Convention Center Hotel, # 2 & 3B Near Chinmayanand Ashram, Powai, Mumbai, India KOH Ian Kittichai 135 Marine Drive, Mumbai, India Wasabi by Morimoto Tanna House, Mahakavi Bhushan Rd, Apollo Bandar, Mumbai, India
Canada
Montreal
The second largest city in Canada is a peaceful, relaxed place without the usual bustle associated with a metropolis, yet it still manages to offer all the diversity of a great urban centre. One will have no difficulty tracking down excellent French restaurants, and the same goes for Italian, Japanese or other international cuisines, too.
Connoisseurs of modern French gastronomy will find their place in Les 400 Coups, a restaurant run by the two star chefs Marc-André Jette and Patrice Demers. The main courses are the responsibility of Jette, while Demers holds sway over the exacting and innovative plate desserts. Not only is Paris apparent in the flavours
but also in the interior design: pictures of the area around St.Germain-des-Prés district of Paris give the restaurant an extra lift. The Canadian face of French cuisine is on view at Joe Beef, founded by Frédéric Morin and David McMillan. Here, classics of French bistro tradition are
21 prepared from the f inest local produce. Thanks to its superb standards the restaurant quickly shifted to the forefront of public attention, which is why anyone wishing to participate in the culinary experience (also assisted by Antony Bourdain) is recommended to reserve a table in advance and then sample the foie gras!
Les 400 Coups 400 Rue Notre-Dame E, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Montreal
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Guests will also discover plent y that is new at L'Orignal, the hunting lodge interior st yle of which matches to perfection the menu. Besides an elk steak it is possible to sample bison tartar. Furthermore, guests are offered an oyster bar in the restaurant.
Joe Beef 2491 Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada L'Orignal 479 Rue Saint Alexis, Montreal, Canada
Air France offers 3 daily, and KLM 1 daily flight to
Montreal. Customers flying Air France have the option to purchase in advance a
specific menu instead of the standard or special meals. Five menus are available: Traditional, Organic,
Signature Italia, Ocean and "S茅lection len么tre".
USA
Los Angeles Chicago New York
23 As one would suspect, America, the melting pot of peoples, has a seemingly infinite choice of cuisines from around the globe. The inspiring environment, the constant trading of ideas and influences between different cultures, and the rhythms of metropolises all contribute to the existence of superlative restaurants in the major cities of America.
Alinea 1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA Next 953 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, USA Providence
Chicago Los Angeles
New York
Chicago is renowned for its hundreds of bistros, cafés and eateries. In fact, the cit y has so many places, each one as good or better than the other, that it is difficult to know where and what to eat.
There seems to be a straight answer for fans of progressive cooking: the Michelin 3-star Alinea in Lincoln Park, the star chef of which is American Grant Achatz, a devotee of molecular gastronomy. The restaurant does 14-16-course degustation menus that not only taste fantastic but are dramatically show-like in their presentation. Next is another Achatz restaurant. It accepts reservations on a ticketing system we are familiar with in cinemas and theatres, making it easy to book a ticket for lunch a couple of days in advance.
5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA Hatfield 6703 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, USA Al Di Lá 248 Fifth Ave Park Slope Brooklyn 11215, USA The Spotted Pig 314 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014, USA
On flights departing Paris and US destinations, the famous confectioner Lenôtre has designed the dessert menu.
Los Angeles has numerous classical restaurants and hundreds of places that specialize in vegetarian and seafood. Guests dining at the Michelin 2-star Providence can get close to glorious fruits de mer dishes from the 5-course degustation menu all the way up to a meal boasting no fewer than 16 courses. One rock-steady home of innovative, creative and modern vegetarian dishes is Hatfield, where the Hatfield couple, Quinn and Karen, look after the quality fine dining; where possible all ingredients are sourced from local markets and small producers. It is no easier choosing a restaurant in New York, either, because new places open ever y day and so many different styles compete for attention. A handy tip is to visit Italian restaurants favoured by locals, such as Al Di Lá. The trattoria exudes a genuine Italian atmosphere and specializes in the specialities of north Italy; its signature dish is braised rabbit with black olives served with creamy polenta. A trip to New York can include a chance to rub shoulders with celebrities while dining. Hot restaurants include The Spotted Pig, famous not only for being part owned by Bono but also for the fact that its hamburgers are ranked among the very finest in town.
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South America
Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina
It is just as well to be quite clear about how you would like your world famous Argentine steak to be cooked. If you ask for it blue, then the meat arrives at the table nearly raw, rare is when the steak is cooked outside and raw inside, while medium rare not only has a ‘crust’ but is more cooked inside. A steak done medium is pink only in the very middle, a medium well has barely no pink in it at all, and a steak that is ordered well done has been cooked all the way through.
The steak house is an inevitable stop-off on any tour of South America. It would be sheer folly to leave it out, because anyone who has never tasted a genuine Argentine beef steak has missed out on one of life’s remarkable gastronomic experiences. A trip to Sao Paulo is the perfect opportunity to call in on the Alex Atala-managed D.O.M. restaurant, which was ranked sixth best restaurant in the world by experts from the San Pellegrino list in 2013. Born in Sao Paulo, the head chef combines traditional Brazilian cooking and ingredients with French and Italian culinary techniques. The restaurant also ser ves travellers with a business lunch that guarantees a rapid overview of innovative cooking.
27 D.O.M.
Mani, a refined re-interpreter of Brazilian gastronomy, takes 46th place in the same ranking of the best 50. The restaurant has a convivial interior design and guests not only have an à la carte menu but a degustation menu as well, designed to enlighten the diner on the kitchen style which has European and Far Eastern overtones. Buenos Aires is a place with one great steak house after the other. The choice is plentiful indeed, and there are a few truly outstanding places where it Argentina is possible to experience through the palette the genuine steak from Argentine beef. For the traveller interested in trying Argentina’s most popular dish, parrillada, a mixed meat grill, then a booking at La Brigada is a great start. Another excellent choice is Cabaña Las Lilas in Puerto Madero, where the harbour view harmonizes nicely with the perfect lunch.
Venezuela
Brazil
Barao de Capanema 549, Sao Paulo, Brazil Mani Rua Joaquim Antunes, 210, Sao Paulo, Brazil La Brigada Estados Unidos 465, Buenos Aires, Argentina Cabaña Las Lilas Av Alicia Moreau de Justo 516, Buenos Aires, Argentina Alto
In Caracas, the Alto – a restaurant hallmarked by the name of Carlos Garcia who learned his craft in Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain – proves conclusively that fine dining has also made its way to South America.
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Air France operates daily flights to Buenos Aires and Caracas, and twice daily services to Sao Paulo. KLM flights represent further alternatives.
Primera Transversal de Los Palos Grandes, Caracas, Venezuela
Kenya
Nairobi
Besides plenty of places serving international cuisine, Nairobi is also famous for restaurants specializing in local flavours. Moonflower restaurant undertakes to serve dishes to everyone’s taste. Here one can meet with European cuisine and all the flavours of Africa. The tranquil, exclusive milieu makes it ideal for business lunches or family gatherings in the evening. If it is a good lunch that is needed during an excursion, or perhaps you would like to watch the sun go down just as the author of Out of Africa did, then the ideal place must be the restaurant at the Karen Blixen Museum. This is an excellent place to relax in a high standard environment redolent of days gone by.
29 Aksum Restaurant in Serena Hotel is embedded in an authentic environment surrounded by wonderfully maintained grounds. It is a fine place to gain a glimpse into the gastronomy of neighbouring Ethiopia. One of the delights of the city, a venue famed for its masterpieces of French cuisine, is Alan Bobbe Bistro, which has been operating for nearly half a century. During the 1950s, the owner, Alan, taught the colony in Kenya on his regular gastronomy radio show, and his restaurant Nairobi which opened soon after has enjoyed an unbroken run of success since then. But if one is seeking not solely French cooking but the whole scale of European gastronomy, About Thyme is well worth a call. Apart from excellent catering, the idyllic surroundings and beautifully designed interior all serve to ensure total relaxation.
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For enthusiasts of Kenya’s exotic tastes, make sure you don’t miss out on the following: nyama choma, barbequed meat enlivened with hot tomato spices, ugali, a cooked cornmeal porridge, and mandazi, the local doughnut. Bush meat is available in game reserve hotels. The se a re g e ne ra lly m a ri n a te d w ith local liqueurs and berry fruits, or served together with wild honey and cream. Did you know that the favourite starter of Ethiopians is the Indianrooted samosa? The pastry is stuffed and folded, then deep-fried in oil.
Aksum Kenyatta Avenue PO Box 46302, Nairobi GPO, Kenya Alan Bobbe Bistro Rhapta Road, Westlands, Nairobi 0100, Kenya About Thyme 1 Eldama Ravine Drive, Westlands, Kenya Moonflower Palacina Residence & Suites, Nairobi, Kenya
South Africa
Johannesburg
All the various styles of the continent are represented in South African restaurants, and they also offer a chance to enjoy the outputs of kitchens of world famous and highly experienced chefs specialized on international gastronomy.
For a taste of Africa, first stop must be Lekgotla. The name of the restaurant actually means meeting place, a reference both to the homely feel that is engendered by the unique interior design, and to the fact that head chef Garth Schnier brings to his
kitchen flavours and ingredients from every region of Africa. This melting pot of African dishes opens to the door to sampling meals from Morocco to Mozambique.
Auberge Michel is considered to be the best restaurant in the city. It is the brainchild of restaurateur Michel Morand and businessman Vusi Sithole, while the kitchen is overseen by French chef Frederic Leloup. The chef, who also has a background in wine-making, considers it extremely important that
31 his dishes are perfectly harmonized with the wide wine selection available in the restaurant. One of the house specialities is steamed, stuffed rabbit.
Lekgotla 5 Nelson Mandela Square,
Zietsies has a romantic, laid-back atmosphere. Dining here is not only about the food; other important elements are the general milieu, the peace of Auckland Park and the panorama. The pension owned by actress and singer Elzabe Zietsman is not only a great place to stay, but its pavilion-style restaurant reminiscent of a doll’s house is similarly a clever choice for lunch. Johannesburg Furthermore, the venue is perfect for a romantic dinner just for two.
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As a result of the diversity deriving from its colonial past, South Africa has long enjoyed the style that we know as fusion cuisine, that is, the flavours of Europe and Asia integrated into traditional African gastronomy to bring about a totally unique world of flavours. The resulting fusion gives the world popular local dishes such as baba ghanoush, Cape Malay bobotie with raisins, and chicken potjie. The Air France KLM Group currently offers 42 destinations to the African continent, linking it to the Paris –Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol hubs. In addition to its large network, Air France develops a personalized offer for customers travelling on its African routes. As soon as they arrive at the airport, passengers travelling to or from Africa benefit from tailor-made services as well as the excellence of French in-flight service.
Johannesburg, South Africa Auberge Michel 122 Pretoria Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa Zietsies Beverly Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
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