Titan, legend, godfather, celebrity…just a few titles that adorn the legacy of Joel Robuchon, a chef who really needs no introduction and who’s empire extends from Las Vegas to Tokyo with a total collection of 28 Michelin stars (4 restaurants having 3) . Needless to say, the man knows what he’s doing and has done so for a very long time! In this years 50 Best Restaurants guide, his restaurant in Saint-Germain, Paris, notched up to 12, and during the month of August, is one of the very few Michelin restaurants open for business. At first, the cheek-by-jowl seating arrangement at the counter seems a bit odd for a restaurant of this nature, but as the meal progresses, one realises that it’s actually quite a lot of fun, and the most remarkable thing is the unpretentious, gregarious and laid back service that goes with the evening.
L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joel Robuchon, Paris
Momofuku Ssam, New York
“Momofuku ssäm bar is a casual, loud restaurant with an inventive menu that is constantly changing” Is how the restaurant describes themselves on their website. I wish it had been true! I do wish the food had been inventive. For the life of me I cannot fathom how a restaurant like this made it to the 50 best restaurants of the world – #37 this year. Was there dirty underhanded dealings? Is everyone on the committee best friends with David Chang that they felt they had to do him a favour and put the restaurant on the list? Whatever the case may be, the 2 week high of New York dining had to finally crash and burn and it did ever so miserably, at Momofuku Ssam. The 37th best restaurant in the world.
El Celler de Can Roca, Girona
So, in November I was told that there were no tables for Friday or Saturday dinner even in February, three and a half months later. In fact, there were no Saturday or Friday dinner reservations available for a YEAR! Well, it’s only the restaurant Can Roca, 2nd best restaurant in the world, 2011, 3 Michelin stars and one only needs to step into the wonderland of the premises to realise that there’s something really special about to take place over the course of the next 4 hours. Yet another family affair, The eldest Roca heads up the kitchen, the younger Roca looks after the wine and the youngest Roca takes care of the pastry. Quite a combination!
