Food Tour: my favorite restaurants from around the globe
Some say a life well-travelled is a life well lived. In the same vein, the foodies of the world may argue that a life well-dined is equally, if not more, crucial to a life well lived. I didn’t always consider myself well- versed in the culinary world; in fact, growing up I had a very simple palette preferring (dare I say … basic) dishes like, oatmeal or buttered noodles with cheese to anything fancy or adventurous. It wasn’t until I started venturing to bigger cities and overseas that I began expanding my palate and love for different types of food. My love for travel and my expanding cuisine curiosity tracked along a parallel trajectory and allowed me the great privilege of exploring the food scene from a variety of angles. From hole in the wall restaurants to eclectic food trucks to multiple star Michelin restaurants I have seen the whole gamut. When I think about what constitutes an experience where I am truly blown away by a restaurant it has a few things that are consistently working in unison: (1) The food (obviously) needs to be top notch taste-wise, as well as, innovative and well-presented. (2) The best places have an element of escapism: the design, ambiance, and vibe needs to be able to transport you to a different place so you can feel immersed and irrevocably present in the experience. (3) The service should be attentive, informative, and personable. My husband and I still talk about how one of our favorite dining experiences can be attributed to how clever and funny the waitstaff and sommelier were, with a banter back and forth that was unlike anything we had ever seen. When all of these aspects are jiving it can produce an experiential moment that stands out in time and can be remembered for years to come. As I reflect back on my many restaurant trips throughout the globe these are the standout places.
Los Angeles: KazuNori
From the moment you walk through the doors you will feel nearly everything about KazuNori is understated: cue the paper checklist menu, the simple sushi bar / counter seating design, and finally the make it on the spot, right in front of your nose culminating in a causal hand roll handoff. This authentic hand roll bar comes from the same parent company as the upscale L.A. sushi heavyweight, SUGARFISH. However, KazuNori is not trying to be the fanciest or the coolest kid on the block. Instead it focuses on simplicity and high-quality ingredients. This stripped down ethos delivers a hand roll that is comprised of ultra crispy seaweed, warm white rice, and some of the freshest fish I’ve ever tasted. In fact, this spot beats out many of the sushi spots I tried in Japan. So if you have always been weary about trying sushi, KazuNori is a great gateway spot into the sushi world, allowing you to experience great simple sushi in an unfussy setting.
Miami: Macchialina
This Miami Beach staple by Michael Pirolo is a knockout food-wise and gets a gold star in my book when it comes to its atmosphere and overall design. I remember looking around the restaurant from my small corner table and somehow feeling like I was in New York City or some bigger city due to its unique cozy yet electric ambiance. This Italian joint felt like the real deal with delicious pastas and mediterranean forward dishes that have a modern and seasonal sensibility. Due to the fact I was nearly 9 months pregnant when I visited the restaurant, I did not taste any of the wines or cocktails. However, word on the street is they have a stellar wine selection. Additionally, the restaurant’s Beverage Director Jacqueline Pirolo, who was named The Michelin Guide Florida 2025 Sommelier of the Year winner, started the Macchialina Wine Club with curated and artesian wine selections that get delivered to your door every month. How’s that for La Dolce Vita?
Singapore: Le Bon Funk
I stumbled across this gem of a restaurant while doing research for where to dine during my honeymoon. Singapore was one of our honeymoon vacation stops, and beyond seeing “Crazy Rich Asians” I had little to no experience with knowing where to go in Singapore. I got intrigued with this spot because they positioned themselves as a “neighborhood wine bar” and had a strong selection of biodynamic and natural wines. The name of the restaurant itself is a play on the “funk” taste that sometimes accompanies natural wines, with the name meaning “the good funk.” When we arrived on the scene for our dinner reservation we didn’t know what to expect, and had relatively low expectations. But they blew it out of the water! The restaurant had the air of an idyllic date night spot, the decor was understated yet tasteful and best of all it had an upbeat vibe like we were at the “IT” spot. Most importantly, every single dish and drink we ordered was amazing. Specifically, the dessert was mind-blowing: the Dark Chocolate Tart with Hazelnuts and Rosemary is something I still dream about. We even considered this to be our favorite place we ate during the entire honeymoon, which included Paris, Maldives, Singapore, and Japan.
Paris: Restaurant Derrière
If you’ve ever had the desire to dine inside a funky Parisian apartment with a bunch of strangers this is your place. Located in the heart of Le Marais, Derrière offers traditional French food in an unexpected setting. It is the type of place you can only find in a city like Paris: a very niche restaurant full of contradictions. It is retro yet modern, weird but cool, and intimate while also communal. For me, the most unique thing about this place is that it is set in a true apartment with all the different rooms. So some guests are eating in the dining room, some are in a bedroom, and some are in the foyer. Additionally, the decorations are very eclectic and sure to catch your eye. So eat, drink, and be merry in the city of lights within a restaurant you are sure to remember.
Mexico City: Ticuchi
The first time I lived in Mexico City in 2022 (prior to having a baby), my husband and I would hit the town nearly every weekend. We were amazed and delighted with how many great dinner and going out spots there were. One weekend, when it was my turn to pick a dinner spot, I came across Ticuchi on a list of recommended restaurants. I loved that it was located in the same neighborhood I lived in (Polanco) and that the menu was primarily vegetarian focused. Ticuchi around town is known as a vibey Mexican cocktail bar with inventive agave and mezcal drinks. The food menu leans heavily vegetarian/pescatarian and all dishes are inspired by traditional Oaxacan cuisine. What this restaurant lacks in meat it makes up for in flavor. Your tastebuds will be dancing all night long after trying these drinks and dinner concoctions. Besides the stellar food and drink this spot is atmospheric and sultry, you walk into a dark cave like space that has artisanal candles burning on every table, funky tribal house music floats in the background complimentary of the live D.J. in the corner, and a prominent bar displays its impressive alcohol collection and becomes the heart of the restaurant where drinks are flowing. Every new guest that visits us in Mexico City somehow ends up in Ticuchi because it never disappoints and is always guaranteed to be a fun and flavorful time.
KYOTO: GION Soy Milk Ramen Uno Yokiko
Vegan ramen. Now hear me out, this delictable ramen does not have your average “vegan” or “healthy” taste, rather it is creamy and decadent because it is made from soy milk. In fact, their website states that the 100% plant-based ramen is “made by the world's only soymilk patissier. You will want to drink every last drop of soup.” They even talk about how this type of ramen is so pure that babies who have weaned can safely eat it. The restaurant space is clean and casual, think Japanese style with a modern flair mixed with the occasional anime reference sprinkled throughout. But what people really come for is the ramen, and by George do the people come. There was a long line, but it was definitely worth the wait.
FLorence: Il Santo Bevitore
My time in Florence was marked by many delicious, fresh, and authentic meals. I mean somehow in Italy it’s the pasta! the cheese! the bread! the wine! Mamma Mia! It all just tasted — different. Good different. Like fresh off the farm different. So choosing my favorite place within Italy was challenging, but a spot I loved that is engraved in my mind is called Il Santo Bevitore. A local spot that offered traditional yet creative Tuscan food alongside a beautiful collection of Tuscan wines. The name of the place literally means “the saint who drinks” or “holy drinker,” which seems like an ironic or humorous nod to the history and contradictions that can be unearthed from the city at the genesis of the Renaissance. Fresh food, flavorful wine, and a lovely historic European building makes for a winning formula. But don’t just take it from me Il Santo Bevitore has been praised by the powers that be at the Condé Nast Traveler and the Michelin Guide.
ITHACA: Calypso Restaurant
A catamaran trip around the Ionian Greek islands introduced me to some exquisite Greek food. I found out on this trip my favorite type of cheese in the world is haloumi cheese. Another important lesson learned is that quality Greek yogurt is always a good idea. Furthermore, some of the villages we visited on this trip were so quaint and offered amazing traditional Greek food. For example, Kioni Harbour is a tiny yet beautiful verdant seaside harbour that had a fabulous little family run restaurant called Calypso Restaurant. You could eat right next to the water at small wooden tables with simple table clothes draped over the top. The food was simple yet delicious and highlighted the best of traditional Greek food, as well as soon great seafood selections. Overall, we loved visiting this little gem set in the picturesque village of Kioni.