La Leggenda dei Frati sits along a hillside overlooking Florence, Italy. The outdoor terrace offers the best views of the city. Chefs, Filippo Saporito and Ombretta Giovannini, are the stars behind all the dishes. Every dish that is served looks like pieces of art. The spectacular flavors are a combination of old recipes combined with fresh ingredients grown in the gardens surrounding the restaurant. La Leggenda is a Michelin Star Restaurant.
Savini Tartufi Restaurant is an exceptional dining experience. It is located inside the Firenze Porta Rossa hotel. Seated inside the elegant restaurant, you will enjoy a variety of fresh truffle dishes year-round. Throughout the year, the family harvests seven truffle variations that are used in the creative meals. In addition to these mouth-watering dishes, you can buy numerous items created by the chef at Central Market, including my favorite, a jar of Dwarf peaches with black truffles. You may also choose a truffle hunting experience on their land just outside of Florence.
À L’aise Restaurant has a menu that will always keep you coming back. It changes with the seasons, to keep everything fresh and new. À L’aise is located in Oslo, Norway, by Vigeland Park and Colosseum Cinema. The creativity and displays of food on each plate are fascinating. Each one has the perfect balance of flavors. Danish chef, Ulrik Jepson, has brought his experience from Denmark and England to this fantastic restaurant in Norway.
Countless restaurants serve heavenly, mouth-watering food. The ones I highlighted are three that stand out in my mind where I’ve had lunch or dinner this past year, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t ventured out to several other fantastic places.
Notable mentions include:
Campio De Fiorgo Ristorante – Excellent Italian – Oslo, Norway
Jimmy and Joan NY – Fantastic Bagels – Gothenburg, Sweden
Gene & Georgetti – Exceptional Italian – Chicago, USA
Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse – Outstanding Steak – Chicago,
There are only two things I don’t like when it comes to food. Spicy food and wasting food. I know there are a lot of people that love spicy cuisine; however, I can not enjoy the flavor of anything when my mouth feels like it is on fire. Secondly, the amount of wasted food is astronomical, and there is no reason for most of it. So please, plan a little better to reduce your food waste. It all adds up.
As I bring this year to an end with travel back to Italy and through several countries in the Balkans (Southeast Europe), I’m excited about all the foods I will try. You never know, I just might find a new favorite in your city.
À L’aise Restaurant
Jimmy-and-Joans
La Leggenda
Savini Tartufi