l'arpege and french laundry - food will never taste the same

- chuck

 

you dogs are going to paris? i'm so jealous...

 

i am next month (for a week) - but i was just referring to his meal there last year...

you *should* be jealous of my 2-week Tokyo trip in September

- chuck

 

Yes, L'Arpege and TFL have ruined my sense of taste...everything is bland now...I'm gonna stop by Urasawa in a few weeks...getting ready for Ubuntu, Meadowood, and Quince when I come up in the next few months...your Japan trip will be ridiculous!!!

 

i'm suddenly starving...

 

Manresa (Los Gatos, CA), or Urasawa (LA), serves the best food in America. The chef at Manresa is crazy about ingredient quality - fish flown from Japan (or other relevant fish markets) and his own garden for vegetables.

The food is inspired mostly by L'Arpege's (Paris) minimalism, some Spanish modernism, and Japanese reverance for ingredients. While The French Laundry gets all of the accolades for being "the best in America", and Alinea gets all of the accolades for being "the most creative", Manresa quietly trumps both with world-class cooking, on par with most Michelin 3-star restaurants (despite only having 2 itself.)

But it's not perfect everyday. This was a very good meal I shared w/ Tuuner on his trip here; but it was not up to its usual exacting standards.

The Full Review (mostly pics this time):
ChuckEats blog » Manresa (Los Gatos, CA) - Summer Report

Price: $150/pp before wine

Teaser pics:
Horse mackerel w/ ginger, seaweed, and citrus ice


Wood pigeon baked in salt



A must-do when in the Bay Area.

- chuck

 

^^Looks familiar!!! Great dinner!!!

 

McCrady's (Charleston, SC) - Charleston is probably not on too many culinary radars but it should be, for this restaurant alone. This was one of the better restaurants I've eaten at this year. The chef has his own farm and the ingredients are spectacular; for those he doesn't grow himself, he has procured the best connections. And then he cooks in a modern style, lots of things going on behind the scenes, but the food feels organic - not a science experiment.

In terms of "wanting to return", it's pretty much on the top of the list for the US. I want to make another trip out in October if time permits. And the South is too much fun - I think I get a little homesick each time I return.

The Full Review:
ChuckEats blog » McCrady’s (Charleston, SC) - Ingredient Fetish

Price: $150/person or so

Teaser pics (not so good)
Olive-oil poached scallop, fresh corriander berries, & mango vinegar


Oyster, Ham Consomme, Cornbread



Highest recommendation. Charleston is a beautiful city by day, very fun by night, and this place is among the better restaurants in the US.

- chuck

 

I don't how you guys can pay good money for that but, I find some of those food items pictured very un-appetizing. I believe in decent served portions with fresh ingredients. I lived in many cities around the world and I have never been thrilled with such food. I like the dinning experience but, I'd skip some of the entrées exhibited here.

 

I vote for Mcdonalds lol