makotot's Profile
Berlin - Margaux or Vau?
If you like more classic French food and the presentation, Margaux. If you prefer more modern great food, Vau. Actually I enjoyed both very much.
Which Are Some of the Greatest German Cuisine Restaurants in Germany?
In my opinion, if you would like to experience authentic German good, you need to go more casual and authentic places in Bavaria, etc. A few high end places that I can think of near Blackforrest is Schwartwaldstudbe in Baiersbronn or Colombi in Freiburg but a little bit drive from Stuttgart.
If you could have one meal in Paris, Where would you go?
Lunch at Pre catelan (16e) - the most beautiful interior among 3-stars in Paris (in my opinion) and excellent meal.
Which Are Some of the Greatest German Cuisine Restaurants in Germany?
I had a wonderful meal at Vau (Jaegerstr. 54) last December. Margaux is also excellent if you like French. Guten Appetit!
auberge de l'ille
Both offer different styles but I would put L'Arnsbourg a little higher ranking than Auberge (L'Arnsbourg is more innovative and refined). Auberge is very pleasant in a warm season (by the river) with many locals. If time and money are not object, you may want to stop by both (the finest restaurants in Alsace).
Best Sushi in SF is where?
For the freshness of ingridience (fish), Kyoya at Mission and 3rd (in Palace Hotel) is the best. They are one of a few in San Francisco which import fish from Tokyo by airplane. In my opinion, San Francisco can not complete against New York or Los Angeles for the quality of Japanese food.
What is a common tipping practice in France?
In the U.S., usually it's 15 - 20% of the restaurant bill. In Germany, typically people around up to next 5 or 10 Euro. It does not seem people do not tip that much or not at all in France - especially in the countryside (It is more once when I was try to leave extra 1 or 2 Euro at some cafe, the waiter or owner was looking at me like "What are you doing?"). What is a common practice in France? I would like to know for both in Paris and the countryside, and also, for regular cafes or restaurants versus Michelin star restaurants.
Wine market in free fall?
Some auction data already shows some slow down market (I read in Financial Times). I would think that top Bordeaux prices in the U.S. will decline due to the favarable exchange rate and the difficult vintages (i.e. 2006, 2007, and 2008). However, it should be noted that top Bordeaux prices went up so much higher since the 2005 vintage (100% - 200% for some top vintages like 1982, 2000, or 2005). On the other hand, prices of top California wine have not gone up that much compared to Bordeaux. The demand may slow down but typically top California producers have not adjusted prices in the past economic slow down (i.e. 1991/1992 or 2002/2003). But I see some wine retailers are cutting some prices or try to clear inventory.
Wine Pairing For Dinner Party
Viognier for a butternut squash soup with roasted pistachios. Riesling or Pinot for a salad with a salmon cake. Northern Rhone for short ribs or chicken marsala. Sweet Riesling or Gewurz or Sauternes for the desserts.
Why can't Americans have good cheap wine?
When I was a student (15 - 20 years ago), I was drinking jug wine which costed $4 - $5 for a litter or a gallon (i.e. Carl Rossi, etc.). I don't drink these wines any more but wonder these are still available. These wines are made in Central Valley in California with stainless steal tanks by big producers like Gallo, etc. I think that in the U.S. or at least in California, people don't buy these wines and at least spend $12 - 15 but usually $20 - 30 for a bottle of wine.
La Cote Saint-Jacques in Joigny & L'Arnsbourg in Untermuhltahl?
Sure. In Paris, I have been all 3-stars, but my favorites are Pre Catalan, Guy Savoy, Arpage. I diend at Pre Catalan in November 2007 and had really good sea urchin dishes and a veal dish. I usually prefer red meats and don’t care about vegitables but was really impressed with the creativity and high quality preparation at Arpage (except for you don’t have choices of cheeses and desserts). When I dined at Guy Savoy in spring of 2003 or 2004, they had a spring inspired menu. The menu included something simple dishes like poached egg with green garnishment or lightly butter sautéed chicken and very slightly sautéed spinach, etc. These were simple but extremely fresh and delicately done. I went back to Guy Savoy in 2007. Although the chef was there, it seems the quality slightly slipped (something like from 98 points to 97 points), but the restaurant was tightly packed (which may cause the quality to slip when the kitchen is too busy). My Alain Ducasse experience was back in 2002. They had amazing appetizers, but I had not been there recently (His New York restaurant was expensive like in Paris but not worth it). Outside Paris, I had been only 8 of 3-stars (Maisons de Bricourt, Lameloise, Auberge de I’ll, Troisgros, Beranrd Loiseau, Goerge Blanc), but the memorable ones are Troigros, Auberge de I’ll, and L’Arnsbourg. Troigros has been 3-stars for over 20 years but their food was a good combination of modern and traditional and not outdated. I don’t remember any particular dish but the experience was surprisingly pleasant. The same for Auberge de I’ll in Illhaeusern. I am happy to stop by and revisit some of traditional places like Lameloise, Beranrd Loiseau, or Goerge Blanc if I am driving on that way. In Germany, I had been all 3-stars (Winkler, Schwarzwaldstube, Dieter Mueller, Vendome, Schloss Berg, Sonnora) except 3 newly promoted ones in 2008 (Bareiss, Amador, GaesteHaus – my to-do for this year). Although many younger German chefs are doing a great job, it’s a bit hard to compare to really top 3-stars in France. Interestingly, Vendome in Bergische Gladbach surprisingly had really good fish dishes. They have only 1-star but I really enjoy Margaux in Berlin and Romantic Hotel Fuestenhof in Landshut, Bayern. If you like duck, you should go Hotel Adlon in Berlin. I try to complete all 3-stars in France and Germany within next 2 - 3 year but am still enjoy going to smaller places in the countryside of France to be surprised with some local dishes and wine.
La Cote Saint-Jacques in Joigny & L'Arnsbourg in Untermuhltahl?
My Report: The cooking style of La Cote Saint-Jacques is more old fashioned Burgundy food which reminds me Lamelois in Chagny. I was happy with the food after dining some 2-star restaurants in the Bordeaux area which became too experimental, but I must say that it's not the same caliber or sophistication as some of top 3-stars in Paris (i.e. Arpage, Guy Savoy, etc.). On the other hand, L'Arnsbourg in Untermuhltahl was exceptionally good. It's light, creative yet using some traditional Alsatian ingredients but the quality and sophistication of the food is truly remarkable and close to perfection. I have been over twenty 3-star restaurants in France and Germany, but I would easily count this as one of the top experiences. L'Arnsbourg can easily complete or beat some top 3-stars in Paris. I will say that it’s totally worth a travel to this place even though you have to go through long windy country roads in Alsace.
Munich - guide book recommendations
If you go to the opera at the National Theater, Spaetenhaus just across from the opera house is not a bad place to eat before or after the performance if you like more traditional Bavarian food (reasonable price). Also, Orlando across from Hofbrauhaus in Altstad. My favorite hangout after operas was Cafe Roma at Maximilianstr. and the Ring but they closed and became a Gucci store (shame!). In Salzburg, I like Cafe Sacher for good coffee and desserts.
Corkage Fee in France?
It is not an unusual practice in the San Francisco Bay Area to bring a bottle of your wine to a restaurant and pay a corkage fee ($20 - $40) to open. Is it common in France or Paris?
SOS! boyfriend's first time in paris, need suggestions
Cafe de la Paix at Le Grand Hotel InterContinental. A bit pricey but the food is good and very beautiful interior (plus they speak English).
La Cote Saint-Jacques in Joigny & L'Arnsbourg in Untermuhltahl?
All,
I greatly appreciate your inputs. I will let you know after I dine these places next week.
La Cote Saint-Jacques in Joigny & L'Arnsbourg in Untermuhltahl?
Does anyone have any recent dining experience in these 3-star restaurants? I am going there during the last week of November. Thanks!
New discoveries in Berlin?
Restaurant Margaux next to the French consulate close to Brandenburg Gate. I have been in Berlin only 3 times but that was the best meal (a bit pricy and no relation to Chateau Margaux).
Which Michelin 3 in Paris is worth being poor for?
Among nine 3-stars in Paris, I recommend three. L'Arpage if you like extremely creative vegetable dishes but the cheeses and desserts are very limited - Full tasting menu for 450 euro (April 2007). Pre Catelan was very outstanding (i.e. sea urchin dish and veal) and I love the beautiful interior too (November 2007). Guy Savoy still does a very excellent job although the menu does not seem to change that much. I had not been Alain Ducasse recently since 2002.
