OUR TOP 10 RESTAURANTS
& EATERIES OF 2018
Here are ten of our favorite food establishments of 2018. It was very difficult to select from hundreds of places we have eaten at in the past year. There is no particular ranking order. We find it impossible to state one restaurant is superior to the other when there are so many factors. We are excited to expand our horizons and travel to new cities in 2019. The journey continues...
Troisgros
Ouches, France
It’s not every day you have the opportunity to eat at a restaurant that has retained it’s three Michelin stars since 1968. Their unique glass walls surrounded by meadows, woods, a farm and pond, allows diners to a part of nature. Of all their amazing dishes, the iconic Salmon and Sorrel which was introduced nearly 40 years ago, is like eating a piece of history.
Address: 728 Route de Villerest, 42155 Ouches, France
Phone: +33 4 77 71 66 97
L'Arpège
Paris, France
Ranked number 8 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, chef Alain Passard highlights fresh seasonal vegetables that will lure even a carnivore. It is an absolute dream for vegetarians and vegans when gazing and tasting the combination of ingredients like squash blossoms and tomatoes. But meat lovers don’t fret. He does incorporate some surf and turf. Just don’t expect a huge slab of pork chop.
Address: 84 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France
Phone: +33 1 47 05 09 06
Brother Hubbard
Dublin, ireland
Dublin may not be the first place you think of when you hear Turkish eggs. Since 2012, owners Garrett Fitzgerald and James Boland have successfully incorporated Middle Eastern ingredients into popular brunch dishes. Their Turkish eggs menemen is a must to order. And the ever so popular avocado toast has a spin with chickpeas and green lentils on Georgian bread. Finish the meal off with a tahini slice, you won’t be disappointed!
Address: 153 Capel St, North City, Dublin, D01 V9V0, Ireland (North) | 46 Harrington St, Saint Kevin's, Dublin 8, Ireland (South)
Phone: +353 1 441 1112 (North) | +353 1 441 1112 (South)
Tickets
barcelona, Spain
It’s the circus meets Willy Wonka. Albert Adria creates a one of a kind whimsical environment that pairs well with his innovative tapas dishes. The techniques and styles from the infamous elbulli restaurant he last worked at in 2011, can be seen in his queso manchego “airbag” and liquid olives. It is currently ranked 25 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Address: Av. del Paraŀlel, 164, 08015 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 92 42 52
Site: https://elbarri.com/
Ristorante Miky
Monterosso al mare, Spain
Located in Monterosso, one of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre, Miky Restaurant is serving unbelievably fresh seafood and pasta. The homemade basil pesto is out of this world. And the soft potato gnocchi with shaved summer truffle on top is a perfect marriage. Make sure you call and reserve a table a couple days in advance.
Address: 104, Via Fegina, 19016 Monterosso al Mare SP, Italy
Phone: +39 0187 817608
Quatro d’Ora Italiano
Pisa, Italy
Don’t be fooled by their small space. What separates this restaurant from all the other pizza joints in the area is the care and quality of ingredients. Yes, you can taste the difference of the individual toppings. But when you put the best tomatoes, mozzarella and basil together on a perfect crust…that is a pizza you can’t get anywhere else. They have over 25 pizzas to choose from. You are bound to find something you like.
Address: Via Santa Maria, 117, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
Phone: +39 050 991 1380
Vivoli
Florence, Italy
This gelateria was featured on the second episode of “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having.” Ingredients are prepped and the gelato is made fresh everyday…the same way since they first opened in 1929. No additives, preservatives or dyes. You are truly tasting the strawberries, chocolate or pistachios in the gelato. Crema is their number one seller and it absolutely lives up to the hype. You haven’t had a real gelato until you’ve tried Vivoli’s.
Address: Via dell’Isola delle Stinche, 7r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 292 334
Site: http://vivoli.it/
Mercado de San Miguel
Madrid, Spain
Out of all the tapas restaurants in Madrid, we chose this unique indoor market where you can sample all the Spanish specialties under one roof. Order some patatas bravas and sangria at one stand and then migrate to the next one to try their tortilla de patatas and cava. It gets quite busy during lunch, especially in the summer. But the wait is worth it.
Address: Plaza de San Miguel, s/n, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Phone: +34 915 42 49 36
Manteigaria
lisbon, Portugal
In the Mercado da Ribeira is where you can find Portugal’s quintessential pastry, pastel de nata. The custard tart is made right in front of you and served warm with a dusting of cinnamon and powered sugar. Manteigaria used to be a butter shop but now they are baking hundreds and hundreds of these dessert treats. Don’t be surprised if you have to wait in line. But hey, they are open till midnight!
Address: Rua do Loreto 2, 1200-108 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: +351 21 347 1492
Breizh Café
Saint Malo, France
Have you ever had a sushi crepe roll? Breizh café blends Japanese style with French technique in their original crepes and galettes. What makes this place stand out from the rest of the creperies is their perfect blend of buckwheat and wheat flour with organic ingredients. The caramel butter smeared on their crepe stays true to the Brittany region of France.
Address: 6 Rue de l'Orme, 35400 Saint-Malo, France
Phone: +33 2 99 56 96 08