Restaurants – Culinary Travels

Appellation Healdsburg: A New Kind of Wine Country Stay

14 October 2025

In Sonoma’s newest stay, the tasting menu never ends — from house-milled pasta at Folia to honey cocktails under the stars.

If you’ve been considering a fall visit to Sonoma, here’s your sign to book your flight. Appellation Healdsburg, the newly-opened hotel from chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality veteran Christopher Hunsberger, has officially opened its doors, inviting guests to experience wine country through a culinary lens.

Spread across eight and a half acres on the edge of downtown Healdsburg, the property unfolds like a modern-day village: gardens, outdoor lounges, and winding paths connecting a mix of suites, studios, and communal spaces. It’s the kind of setting that feels as if it’s been quietly growing here for years — natural, welcoming, and unmistakably rooted in Sonoma’s agricultural rhythm.

But make no mistake: this is a chef’s hotel. Every detail, from the scent of firewood drifting from the open kitchen to the house-milled flour for handmade pasta, is a nod to food as both craft and connection. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Folia Bar & Kitchen, is led by Reed Palmer (Charlie’s son), whose menu leans into elemental cooking — think smoked duck breast, ember-grilled rockfish, and wood-fired vegetables that taste like they’ve been kissed by the surrounding hills.

Upstairs, Andy’s Beeline Rooftop offers a lighter, livelier take on the region’s flavours, pairing vineyard views with inventive small plates and cocktails infused with honey, herbs, and local citrus. It’s as much a social space as it is a dining one — a place where the sun lingers, the glasses clink, and the line between bar and terrace blurs beautifully.

Beyond the restaurants, food weaves through every part of the guest experience. Welcome bites replace front-desk formality. Culinary workshops and garden tastings invite guests into the creative process. Even the on-site spa embraces the region’s bounty, with treatments inspired by botanicals and wine-country harvests.

In a landscape already rich with luxury retreats, Appellation Healdsburg stands out for its sense of purpose. It’s a property built not around opulence, but around a love of flavour — proof that in Sonoma, the true essence of hospitality still begins at the table.

Where to Savour Canada’s Indigenous Culinary Scene

30 September 2025

Canada’s Indigenous culinary scene is blossoming, rooted in tradition yet boldly innovating with cafés, restaurants, breweries and farms that honour both the land and culture. Here’s a look at some of the newest openings and product launches across the country.

Featured: Nk’Mip Cellars. Imagery and list courtesy of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).

Cafés & Restaurants

Ancestor Café by Tradish (Fort Langley, BC)
Tradish tells stories of culture, sustainability and respect for the land through its food. At Ancestor Café, guests can enjoy bannock tacos filled with bison or elk, sweet bannock bites, artisanal jams and herbal lemonades — a menu where tradition, wellness and storytelling meet.

Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro – New Bannock Mix (Vancouver, BC)
A Vancouver institution, Salmon n’ Bannock brings modern Indigenous flavours to the table. Now, travellers can take a piece of it home with a signature bannock mix, soon available at YVR duty-free shops.

Bernadette’s (Edmonton, AB)
Opened in 2025, Bernadette’s is raising Indigenous cuisine to fine-dining heights. Founded by Chef Scott Iserhoff and Svitlana Kravchuk, the restaurant is named after Iserhoff’s grandmother and serves dishes like raw bison, Saskatoon-berry brisket on bannock, and rabbit ragu with potato dumplings.

Wineries & Breweries

Locality Brewing (Langley, BC)
This Métis-owned farm brewery grows and malts every ingredient on site — from barley and hops to berries and honey — crafting truly farm-to-glass beers that taste of the land they come from.

Nk’Mip Cellars (Osoyoos, BC)
North America’s first Indigenous-owned winery, Nk’Mip Cellars offers wine flights, reserve tastings and food pairings like the Four Food Chiefs experience, set against sweeping South Okanagan vineyard views.

Kahnawake Brewing Co. (Kahnawake, QC)
Canada’s first Indigenous-owned microbrewery pays homage to Mohawk ironworker heritage while producing creative, small-batch beers that have built a loyal following both locally and beyond.

Coffee & Tea

Kekuli Café (Kamloops, BC)
With the motto “Don’t panic, we have bannock!”, this café puts a fun spin on Indigenous staples, serving tipi tacos, harvest bowls and baked bannock treats. New locations are expanding its reach across Canada, including soon in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Tea Horse (Thunder Bay, ON)
Founded by Denise Atkinson, Anishinaabe ikwe, Tea Horse blends Indigenous traditions with global tea culture. Its wild-rice teas and custom blends make for a uniquely Northern Ontario sip.

Moccasin Joe Coffee Roasters (Kanehsatake, QC)
Family-owned and award-winning, Moccasin Joe focuses on ethical, small-batch roasting that puts sustainability and flavour at the forefront.

Unique Food & Farm Experiences

Pollen Nation Farm (Little Rapids, NL)
An Indigenous-owned farm and beekeeping project, Pollen Nation offers bee tours, foraging walks and fireside meals showcasing raw honey and land-based food traditions at its rustic “Beestro.”

Upper Humber Settlement (Cormack, NL)
On a historic veteran farming site, this Indigenous-owned B&B and farm-stay offers guests the chance to forage, dine farm-to-table, and hear stories around the fire, blending cultural history with regenerative farming.

To discover more Indigenous food and beverage businesses across the country, visit IndigenousCuisine.ca.

The North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 List is Out

30 September 2025

On September 25, 2025 at Wynn Las Vegas, the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list debuted with Atomix (New York) crowned No. 1. Junghyun “JP” and Ellia Park’s intimate, design-driven counter marries Korean flavours with meticulous technique and hospitality, setting the tone for a ranking that celebrates both heritage and innovation across the continent.

Canada made a powerful showing — Mon Lapin (Montreal) landed at No. 2, Restaurant Pearl Morissette (Lincoln, ON) at No. 3 and Tanière3 (Québec City) at No. 5 — while the broader lineup highlights a vibrant mix of tasting-menu temples, neighbourhood gems and destination dining from the U.S. and the Caribbean. Pictured above? Le Violon in Montreal, No. 29 on the list, where Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau were spotted having dinner this past July.

The List

Atomix — New York
Mon Lapin — Montréal
Restaurant Pearl Morissette — Lincoln
Smyth — Chicago
Tanière3 — Québec City
Dakar NOLA — New Orleans
Kalaya — Philadelphia
SingleThread — Healdsburg
Le Bernardin — New York
Le Veau d’Or — New York
Quetzal — Toronto
Baan Lao — Richmond (Steveston)
Benu — San Francisco
Californios — San Francisco
The Four Horsemen — New York
Friday Saturday Sunday — Philadelphia
Moon Rabbit — Washington, DC
Via Carota — New York
Chubby Fish — Charleston
Locust — Nashville
Saison — San Francisco
Montréal Plaza — Montréal
Kono — New York
Aska — New York
Lazy Bear — San Francisco
Kato — Los Angeles
Kann — Portland
Published on Main — Vancouver
Le Violon — Montréal
Emeril’s — New Orleans
Kasama — Chicago
Royal Sushi & Izakaya — Philadelphia
Saga — New York
Albi — Washington, DC
Jungsik — New York
Corima — New York
Dōgon — Washington, DC
César — New York
Café Carmellini — New York
Penny — New York
Buzo Osteria Italiana — Bridgetown
Holbox — Los Angeles
Alma — Montréal
Mhel — Toronto
Alma Fonda Fina — Denver
Atelier Crenn — San Francisco
Providence — Los Angeles
Quince — San Francisco
Stush in the Bush — St. Ann
Beba — Montréal

Pack Your Appetite: Taste of Shangri-La is Back

30 September 2025

From Paris to Phuket, the luxury hotel group’s annual Taste of Shangri-La celebration returns this October with more than 100 hotels showcasing exclusive dishes, signature menus and immersive dining events.

Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts is inviting travellers to savour the flavours of the world with its much-anticipated Taste of Shangri-La culinary festival, running throughout October 2025. The month-long event spans the brand’s legendary portfolio of hotels and resorts across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, India and the Americas, each presenting multi-course menus and signature creations that reflect local traditions and global influences.

Highlights include foie gras dumplings with fruit chutney in Paris, Bánh Xèo with chicken quang noodles in Ho Chi Minh City, and hand-dived scallops with miso butter in London. In Dubai, Shang Palace will showcase Cantonese flavours with dishes such as King Oyster Mushrooms with Charcoal-Steamed Buns, while in Abu Dhabi, Bord Eau will serve French gastronomy with dishes like Rose de Saumon paired with green apple and miso gel. Guests can also expect curated wine pairings, immersive dining events and exclusive menus designed by Shangri-La’s award-winning chefs.

More than 28 signature restaurants and 14 hotels will participate in this year’s edition, giving travellers the chance to discover new flavours while celebrating Shangri-La’s rich culinary heritage.

Learn more on the Shangri-La website.

Where Celebs Will Be Dining During TIFF 2025

2 September 2025

When TIFF rolls into town (September 4–14), Toronto transforms into Hollywood North — not just on the red carpet, but at the dinner tables too. For ten glittering days, restaurants become backdrops for industry deals, stolen moments, and the occasional paparazzi flash. Here’s where the style icons and film legends are most likely to dine, toast, and perhaps be caught mid-laugh.

The buzz is loud at Nobu Toronto (pictured), the long-awaited Mercer Street outpost of the world-famous brand. Since opening, it has quickly become a celebrity staple. Drake and Pharrell Williams have already been spotted, and the lively bar is just as star-studded as the upstairs omakase.

A few blocks away, Enigma Yorkville is a jewel box of the scene: tucked away on St. Thomas Street, it serves a refined seasonal tasting menu that blends Japanese precision with Nordic minimalism. It’s no wonder Toronto’s power set — and TIFF’s visiting stars — gravitate here when they want a little quiet luxury with their culinary artistry

Yorkville also shines at Adrak, where Michelin-level Indian cuisine and plush interiors have hosted everyone from the Jonas Brothers to Jessica Alba. It’s the kind of room where rich curries and glittering company go hand in hand.

On King West, the energy shifts into high-octane glamour. Minami (above) delivers with its A5 wagyu and cocktail craft, while just down the street, the Ace Hotel’s Evangeline rooftop lures festival crowds with ’70s-inspired share plates and that golden-hour glow perfect for selfies.

Meanwhile, Ossington keeps its cool edge with Lunch Lady, the Vietnamese comfort-food spot that turns into an industry hangout during TIFF, thanks to its vibrant cocktails and come-as-you-are charm. And for late-night escapades, Vinny Restaurant & Vinyl Bar is pure retro glitz — shrimp toast, disco lighting, DJ sets — the kind of place where you might bump into Dakota Johnson on the dance floor or Jude Law leaning against the bar.

This year, two new contenders are jostling for the after-hours crown. Bar Clams, Matty Matheson’s rollicking seafood diner, and Tha Phae Tavern, a riot of karaoke and claw machines, bring the kind of chaotic fun that even celebs can’t resist. They’re buzzy, unpolished, and all the more irresistible for it.

And finally, Abrielle (pictured) has emerged as another chic contender. With Mediterranean-inspired plates and a stylish room that straddles polished dining and easygoing warmth, it’s poised to host plenty of quiet tête-à-têtes between screenings.

TIFF is celebrating its 50th edition this year, and Toronto’s dining rooms are ready for their own close-ups. Whether you’re chasing star sightings or simply soaking in the atmosphere, these restaurants prove that the real festival often happens long after the credits roll.

Sandblu’s New Blu Restaurant Brings Aegean Luxury to Santorini’s Caldera

16 August 2025

Santorini has no shortage of spectacular terraces, but few offer the kind of stage now set by Blu, the new signature restaurant from Sandblu resort. Designed by the acclaimed Rockwell Group, the just-opened dining destination extends the resort’s tranquil East-side ethos to the island’s most iconic setting: the UNESCO-listed Caldera.

From morning brunch to late-night cocktails, Blu invites guests into a day-to-night rhythm that fuses Greek Mediterranean tradition with global culinary flair. Menus highlight local produce and fresh catch, but with cosmopolitan touches — think Sea Bass Crudo, Lobster Pasta enriched with sweet Samos wine, and Shredded Oxtail paccheri with graviera cream and summer truffle. Even brunch turns indulgent, with creations like Mascarpone Pancakes layered with berries and orgeat maple syrup or a playful Surf & Turf of scallops and ibérico ham.

The 150-seat restaurant was designed as an experience of its own. An expansive white-marble terrace gazes across Skaros Rock and the Aegean, while airy interiors echo Santorini’s volcanic palette of whites and blues. An open-air bar and reflection pool anchor the space, as a resident DJ’s soft soundtrack mingles with the sound of waves below.

Blu’s wine list showcases Santorini vintages alongside international labels, while the cocktail menu leans into creative riffs on Greek flavours — from the cucumber-bright Katsouni Gimlet to the bold Bloody Marika, spiced with tsikoudia and local tomato juice.

For those seeking a setting as memorable as the meal, Blu doubles as a venue for weddings and milestone celebrations, with in-house event planning and catering to match the views.

Whether you come for brunch, linger into sunset cocktails, or celebrate under the stars, Blu has quickly established itself as a must-visit destination in Santorini’s dining scene — and the newest jewel in Sandblu’s crown.

North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Honours Quebec’s Tanière3 for Art of Hospitality

16 August 2025

When it comes to unforgettable dining, atmosphere and service can be just as memorable as what’s on the plate. That’s why North America’s 50 Best Restaurants created the Art of Hospitality Award — and this year, the very first honour goes to Tanière3 in Quebec City.

Set in the vaulted cellars of two historic houses between the St. Lawrence River and Place Royale, Tanière3 is an immersion into Quebec’s culinary soul. Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol and co-owner Roxan Bourdelais have reimagined fine dining as a story of place: 10 to 15 seasonal courses crafted almost entirely from Quebec-sourced (often foraged) ingredients, each one revealed in real time to keep curiosity alive until the very last bite.

Guests can choose between the Chef’s Counter Cellar, where you watch the team at work and interact with Nicol directly, or the Dining Room Cellar, an equally atmospheric but more traditional setting. Whichever path you take, expect hospitality that feels deeply personal — a hallmark of the Tanière3 experience.

As William Drew, Director of Content for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, put it: “Tanière3 delivers far more than just fine dining – it offers a personal experience rooted in the warmth, care, and pride of Quebec.”

The 2025 awards ceremony takes place September 25 in Las Vegas, when the full list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants will be revealed. Until then, Quebec has every reason to celebrate: one of its most innovative dining rooms has just been recognized as setting the gold standard for hospitality.

Suite treats: the best hotel bakeries and cafés

24 June 2025

In the golden age of “bakery tourism,” travellers are crossing continents in search of the perfect pastry. Whether it’s a mango pudding masterpiece in Tokyo or a just-right pain au chocolat in Paris, these hotel patisseries aren’t just dessert stops – they’re cultural experiences worth planning a trip around.

Café Sacher at Hotel Sacher

Vienna, Austria

Café Sacher is the birthplace of Austria’s most iconic dessert: the Sachertorte. Dense chocolate sponge layered with apricot jam and cloaked in a silky chocolate glaze, it’s a rich rite of passage for any dessert devotee. The red-and-gold interiors channel imperial grandeur, and the original 1832 recipe remains a closely guarded secret – one still prepared by hand in the hotel’s own patisserie.

The Peninsula Boutique & Café

Tokyo, Japan

Tucked inside The Peninsula Tokyo, this sleek 20-seat café draws pastry pilgrims with treats like kokunama custard-cream brioche and crisp, caramelized mango florentine, alongside a lengthy menu of tea blends. Executive chef Pascal Cialdella’s creations blend Japanese precision with French flair, served in a glass-encased space that feels more like an upscale boutique than a traditional café.

The Mandarin Oriental Shop

Bangkok, Thailand

A Bangkok institution since the 1950s, The Mandarin Oriental Shop offers a sweet retreat from the city’s bustle. Now with four locations, the original still resides within the storied colonial-style hotel it takes its name from. The shop’s famed chocolate mousse cake, impossibly smooth and deeply indulgent, has earned a devoted following. Pair it with tea served in delicate china, and linger like a local.

The Connaught Patisserie

London, U.K.

Beneath the glitzy Connaught Hotel in Mayfair, this blush-toned jewel box of a patisserie is helmed by renowned pastry chef Nicolas Rouzaud. Every creation is a work of art, but the whimsical “Connaughty Hound,” a chocolate hazelnut cake shaped like the hotel’s canine mascot, is as delightful to eat as it is to admire.

Le Comptoir at The Ritz Paris

Paris, France

At the Ritz Paris, pastry chef François Perret has redefined the pain au chocolat, transforming it into a sleek, baton-like shape that guarantees chocolate in every bite. Housed in a minimalist marble-clad boutique that contrasts with the hotel’s Belle Époque opulence, Le Comptoir offers classics elevated to couture status – like the must-try madeleines, presented in gift boxes almost too pretty to open.

Galleria Iginio Massari at Helvetia & Bristol

Florence, Italy

In the heart of Florence, the historic Helvetia & Bristol hotel is home to Galleria Iginio Massari, the first Tuscan outpost from Italy’s most celebrated pastry chef. Inside this luminous boutique, glass cases gleam with delicious masterpieces like the Setteveli, a seven-layer chocolate and hazelnut cake that has become an Italian classic. From delicate fruit tarts to top-notch tiramisu, each dessert reflects Massari’s obsession with technique, balance and beauty.

The Fullerton Cake Boutique

Singapore

Housed in the stately, neoclassical Fullerton Hotel, this boutique serves up pastries with Southeast Asian soul. The pandan chiffon cake – soft, fragrant and neon green – is a nod to local heritage with its distinct aroma, drawn from the tropical leaf often called “Asian vanilla.” Light as air and delicately sweet, the treat is a favourite among both locals and visiting dignitaries.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants officially named in Italy

23 June 2025

The world of gastronomy came together in the city of Turin, Region of Piedmont, Italy on June 19 to celebrate and recognize The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, with Lima’s Maido named The World’s Best Restaurant.

The awards ceremony, hosted at Lingotto Fiere, honours the very best global gastronomic talent from 22 territories across five continents.

Maido, the Lima restaurant run by chef-owner Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura, is named The World’s Best Restaurant 2025, succeeding the 2024 winner, Disfrutar in Barcelona, which now enjoys an elevated position in the Best of the Best hall of fame.

Ranked at No.5 in the 2024 list, Maido is a masterclass in Nikkei cuisine, blending meticulous Japanese techniques with vibrant Peruvian ingredients to create a dining experience that is both culturally rich and modern. Maido is followed in the ranking by Asador Etxebarri (No.2) in Atxondo, Spain and Quintonil (No.3) in Mexico City.

Maxime Frédéric is named The World’s Best Pastry Chef 2025, sponsored by Sosa. Pastry Chef at Cheval Blanc Paris and Plénitude in Paris (No.14), Frédéric has set a new standard in luxury patisserie with his intricate pastry artistry and dedication to craftsmanship. Ten restaurants make their debut on the 1-50 list this year, including Potong (No.13) and Nusara (No.35) in Bangkok; Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler (No.20) in Brunico, Italy; Mérito (No.26) in Lima; Lasai (No.28) in Rio de Janeiro; Enigma (No.34) in Barcelona; Kadeau (No.41) in Copenhagen; Vyn (No.47) in Skillinge, Sweden; Celele (No.48) in Cartagena and Restaurant Jan (No.50) in Munich, demonstrating the ranking’s growing global reach in celebrating the world’s finest dining destinations. A further four restaurants re-entered the 1-50 ranking in the form of Narisawa (No.21) in Tokyo; Le Calandre (No.31) in Rubano, Italy; Orfali Bros (No.37) in Dubai and La Cime (No.44) in Osaka.

To view the full list of winners, click here.

Air France’s signature pop-up restaurant returns for summer

19 June 2025

Following the success of its first pop-up restaurant at the Palais de Tokyo last summer during the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, Air France is installing its new restaurant on The Rooftop at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, on the eighth floor of the iconic Parisian department store.

This year, the restaurant is fitted out in an elegant, tailor-made decor in the airline’s signature colours, with navy blue, white to add light and contrast, and touches of red. With twenty covers and two lunch services, it resembles the private, cozy atmosphere of the airline’s airport lounges, ideal for enjoying a gourmet break in a unique setting, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. An outdoor lounge and sunbeds complete the setting, so you can take full advantage of the panoramic views of Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre, not forgetting the beauty of the city’s rooftops.

Culinary highlights

The menu at this unique concept restaurant includes a French-style meal prepared with the expertise of Servair, the leading airline catering company, and served “just like on board”. With an appetizer, starter, main course, a selection of cheeses and dessert, each dish is served in tableware specially created for Air France by designer Jean-Marie Massaud, in a setting similar to that on board the plane, incorporating the airline’s Business meal tray.

The restaurant’s customers will be able to enjoy dishes created by triple Michelin-starred chef Régis Marcon for Air France’s long-haul Business cabin. With meat, poultry, fish and vegetarian dishes, the à la carte menu will be identical to those available on board. With a Camargue rice trio with lemon, carrot and orange sauce, butternut and red beans or Chicken with morel mushroom sauce, rice pilaf and green asparagus, these culinary creations tell the story of the chef’s cuisine, inspired by nature and his home region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

When it comes to desserts, everyone can enjoy the pastries available on board created by Nina Métayer, awarded the title of World’s Best Pastry Chef in 2023. With a crunchy hazelnut and caramel delight and a Tatin-style crunchy delight, the chef’s gourmet yet light pastries are a feast for the senses. And to ensure the perfect wine to go with each dish, the French wine and champagne list has been created by Air France’s head sommelier Xavier Thuizat, who is also Head Sommelier at the Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel and was crowned Best Sommelier in France in 2022. A wide choice of non-alcoholic drinks will also be available.

The Air France restaurant, on the eighth floor of Galeries Lafayette, Coupole Store, 40 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris. Open from 25 June to 20 August 2025 daily (except Tuesday) from 11.30am to 3.30pm, reservation required. Lunch menu at 93 euros including drinks.