Modena | Osteria Francescana

Modena, Italy

30 November 2012

Grissini, foccaccia and other Italian breads

Aulla with frozen Carpione

Risotto where the river meets the sea

Saba lacquered Adriatic eel

Tortellini in brodo five ways

Think Green

Hunting the pidgeon

Camouflage: a hare in the woods

Leaves

Oops! Broken Fruit pie

Petit fours

Philly | White Dog Cafe

Whole Wheat Pancakes - Meyer Lemon Curd, Blood Orange Syrup, Toasted Almonds 

Philly | A.Kitchen

Sidewalks of Rittenhouse Square.

Homemade English Muffin, Bon Maman Confiture, Scrambled Eggs and a cup of OJ.

Paris | Chez L'ami Jean (1)

Hello Chef Jean!

The restaurant was PACKED. We were squished into a very cosy corner. A little too cosy, perhaps.

A rather cute menu.

Veggie and Foie Soup that was way too salty.

Veal with some edible flowers of course.

Fish Dish 1

Fish Dish 2

Unexpectedly modern display of mini Creme Puffs/Paris Brests. Krug Room desserts?

Last but not least, my downfall. Rice Pudding was phenomenal. Salted Caramel Cream and raisins topped it off.

Lyon | La mère Brazier

 Foie Gras Cubes and Sesame sticks.

 Sweet corn gazpacho.

 Salty veg soup with pieces of lamb.

Filet de Sole de Petit Bateau au Beurre de Caviar, Purée de Pomme de Terre à l’Huile d’Olive

Carré d’Agneau Allaiton, Concassé de Tomates au Gingembre, Jus à la Sarriette et Huile aux Condiments

Best Madeleine ever. Honey goat cheese ice cream.

Citrus dessert.

New York | Lady M Cake Boutique

Lady M at the Plaza Food Hall near Central Park

Green Tea, Original, Chocolate-Banana

My favorite flavor...

May very well be my favorite cake: Mille-crepe! So creamy and fluffy but light at the same time. The green tea one is especially delicious.

Paris | Ledoyen

May 13th 2011 - Hong Kongers are insatiable for Michelin starred gourmet, and our family is no exception. After a good amount of research, I decided that Ledoyen was closest to our taste in terms of decor, cuisine and aesthetics. We are not fans of the Parisian, flamboyant, golden interiors, but to my dismay, many Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris are over the top with that type of decor (Les Ambassadeurs? Le Meurice?) We finally opted for Ledoyen near the Champs-Elysees.


interesting nori chips!

Amuse bouche: this was a melt-in-your-mouth ginger gelee. Almost looks like it could be a little amoeba! Playful texture, artful, molecular presentation.

The rest of the amuse-bouches. A nori potato puff, caviar on top of a vegetable roll and a curry square.

A hamachi ceviche. 

Langoustines. C'est bon!

Viennoise de Sole. Champignons in the center, topped with hazelnut butter sauce. The fish was tender but yet had a good chew to it. The sauce made it a heavier entree than I would have thought, but nonetheless I licked my plate clean. I am salivating as I write this...

Mon pere had beef for his entree. The potato puffs made a reappearance! 3 endives for the 3 pieces of beef. From dad's contented face as he was sipping his vin rouge, I could tell he was at least for a second or two, elevated to foodie heaven.

The cheese cart. Looked like a little exhibition in its own.

Pre-desserts. Gelee takes the stage again.

My dessert - Crumble fondant au Chocolat blanc. What a mindblowing presentation - it looks like a gift! The gentlemen sitting at the table next to us utterly disregarded the transparent candy shavings but I dissembled it and had it bit by bit with mouthfuls of decadent breadcrumbs and white chocolate.

Dark chocolates and caramels to end..which I absolutely regret not eating.

Ledoyen - Stellar ingredients prepared in classic ways, nevertheless innovative in presentation. Especially liked the humble, Zen-like plateware and exquisite amuse bouches. Definitely worth the 3*. Would return in a heartbeat! When we passed by Ledoyen again the next week after walking along Avenue des Champs Elysees, dad was not joking when he said, "Let's make a reservation for dinner tonight."