Ah, to be a Rich Man Living at Claridges!

You might think any great hotel would do. And you would have a point. There is no shortage of fantastic grand hotels that only the rich can afford.

But something special is happening at Claridges. The grand dame has just gotten quite a lot grander! Drum roll please!

Chef and co-owner of the amazing New York restaurant, Eleven Madison Park Daniel Humm will open a new restaurant in the hotel. It will be called Davis and Brook, and I WANT TO CHECK IT OUT!

Sadly, my investment bankers are not keen on this idea.

Ah, to be a rich old fart dining at Claridges in London! That’s the life for me!”

Heading to Riga?

Have you been to Riga? It has a unique vibe – I find it to be a bit spooky, but not in a bad way. The old town is quite amazing (it was radically upgraded in the 19th century).

I will be headed to Riga in a short while, and will be checking out a few places.

Most likely staying at

• Neibergs Design Hotel

Checking out the food

• And a restaurant or two from this list

If You’re Hungry, Head to Paris!

Errr … of course, after the strikes are over.

The food culture in Paris is pretty strong and diverse. Not just in the classical French style. But across the board. Want to be  a part of it?

You might start by thinking about where you will stay.

Food is central to Parisian life, but the city’s best gourmet experiences aren’t just found in fine-dining restaurants and the boutiques of celebrity pâtissiers. These hand-picked spots will take you to neighbourhoods where graffiti-scrawled vans open their doors on market day to stack trestle tables with artichokes, garlic and heirloom tomatoes; to the blow-the-budget restaurants where locals really eat; to streets where you’ll find classic corner brasseries and crêperies alongside Syrian cafés and tiny udon joints. Bon appétit!

Sounds great! Here is your link. Go for it!

My pick – Hotel des Grands Boulevards!

The Ultimate Transatlantic Crossing?

In the old day,s one crossed the Atlantic by liner. That was before air travel made the crossings faster. Faster they may be, and less expensive. But not better!

The Queen Mary II is the better way.

And the Queen Mary II just got a bit better still!

Transatlantic sailings on the classic “Queen Mary 2” cruise liner recall the golden age of travel. One crossing next year will be particularly fabulous, featuring meals served by chef Michel Roux of the acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche

That would be great! Let’s hope for calm seas, though.

Would You Fly to New York Just for a Martini?

Well, actually it is a Gibson (swapping the olive for a cocktail onion).

You might after reading this. On my next sojourn to Mr. B Apple I will be checking this out at Atomix! I might stick around for dinner too!

104 E 30th St,

Dining Out in Paris this Christmas Eve?

Sadly, I will not be dining out in Paris this Christmas. But a man can dream, right?

If I were, these restaurants would be on my list for special consideration.

Agree?

When the “history of restaurants” is written, these ten will be mentioned!

So what was the history of restaurants in the last decade?

Here is the story!

Go for it!