Tag Archives: Fresh Ingredients

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Best East Hampton Restaurants

East Hampton Restaurant
East Hampton has seen so many different restaurants come and go, but there are some that have managed to withstand the test of time. In addition to this, the culinary scene in the region has begun to really take off in recent years, and newcomers to the restaurant industry here are backed by talented and innovative chefs, ready to make their mark in New York.

Nick & Toni’s
Reminiscent of a Tuscan farmhouse, Nick & Toni’s is somewhat of an institution in the Hamptons, and is where you are most likely to spot your favorite celebrity. Three different dining rooms surround the restaurant’s centrepiece of a large wood burning oven, and the menu, which features Italian and Mediterranean influences, changes seasonally, making use of ingredients from the restaurant’s very own organic garden, as well as local farmers and fisherman.

The Lobster Roll
The lobster roll is a speciality dish in the region, and this casual restaurant sporting the same name, situated just off Montauk Highway, serves up some of the tastiest lobster rolls you will have ever tried. The Lobster Roll uses a recipe that dates back to over 50 years ago, and portions here are always extremely generous. In addition to the lobster rolls, their clam chowder, steamed lobsters and baked stuffed flounder are all worth sampling.

The 1770 House
The 1770 House, which is located in a historic inn that dates all the way back to 1663, is home to two contrasting dining rooms, each headed up by chef Michael Rozzi and his contemporary American style of cooking. The main dining room, as well as the patio, features a sophisticated fine dining menu, serving up dishes such as white bean ravioli with bacon, and sticky braised ribs that melt away in your mouth, while the Tavern downstairs is much more casual, focussing on traditional pub fare.

restaurant table

The Living Room at The Maidstone
Considered to be one of the finest hotels in East Hampton, it is no surprise that The Maidstone also boasts a high quality restaurant. Committed to adhering to the Slow Food movement, this Scandinavian-inspired restaurant creates Swedish-style dishes but with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Some of the standout dishes that you will find here include the Long Island Duck Breast served with rye berries, baby beets and nasturtium flowers, and the Kottbullar, otherwise known as the Swedish meatball, accompanied with a lingonberry jam and pickled cucumbers. The restaurant also places a strong emphasis on fresh pasta, adding their own unique twist to their handmade creations, from the hot smoked paprika in the egg-based Parpadelle dough to the Parisian Gnocchi that is made with Pate Choux dough rather than potatoes.

While the restaurant scene may have taken a while to really pick up in East Hampton, there are now plenty of options to choose from when it comes to dining out. From the fresh seafood at the casual Lobster Roll to the Scandinavian fare at The Living Room at The Maidstone, each of these establishments promises an unforgettable meal.

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Local Eateries in London

Savoy, London

Michaelpuche / Shutterstock.com

Each of London’s neighborhoods is packed with amazing restaurants, and recent years have seen an increase in the popularity of the more local joints. From Michelin-quality dishes created from seasonal British ingredients to a historic chophouse that has been around since the 1800’s, these are some of London’s best local eateries.

Quality Chop House, Farringdon
First opened in 1869, the Quality Chop House is not only a much-loved local restaurant, but also has a wine bar, a shop and a butcher on site. The restaurant still retains certain features from when it was first opened, including the classic polished wooden booths that line the dining room. Each day, the restaurant receives their order of fresh produce before writing up the daily menus, with each dish inspired by their latest ingredients. From the Wild Garlic Soup to the Hereford Mince on Dripping Toast to the Devon Crab, each of the dishes makes full use of seasonal ingredients, resulting in a truly British culinary experience.

Lardo, Hackney
Lardo is a must-visit for any pork aficionados, as the restaurant only uses native breed pigs that have been bred specifically for their signature dishes. While this industrial-chic pizzeria may produce Italian-inspired dishes, the majority of ingredients used are quintessentially British, from the fennel pollen to the English asparagus to the rabbit. Of course, ordering their Lardo pizza is essential, as these melt-in-your-mouth strips of meat are what you will return to the restaurant for time and time again.

Claude’s Kitchen, Parsons Green
A stylish, modern British eatery, Claude’s Kitchen first opened its doors in 2013, and it did not take long for the restaurant to quickly become a local favorite. Again, this is a restaurant that creates menus inspired by British ingredients, with innovative dishes of Michelin standard. With fresh fish brought in daily from the south of Cornwall, and all meat being free-range and organic, the freshness of the ingredients plays a huge part in the final outcome. Whether you opt for the Octopus and Bream served with blood orange, Campari and seaweed, or the Guinea Fowl served with morels, popcorn grits and wild garlic, Claude’s Kitchen gives you the opportunity to taste some of the very best of the new wave of conceptual and creative British cooking.

Marianne, Notting Hill
Small and intimate with seating for just fourteen, Marianne is considered to be more of a micro-restaurant, and is run by one of the best female chefs in the city. The menu features classic, fine dining dishes, each with an elegant and feminine touch, and only uses the freshest of seasonal ingredients to guarantee the utmost quality. With dishes such as the Hebridean Scallop Ceviche with Blood Orange, the Highland Wagyu Fillet, and the Mille-Feuille of Wild Mushrooms, Truffles and Hollandaise, this is a great restaurant to visit if you want to sample classic British fare.

London is filled with restaurants from every corner of the globe, but it is the local British restaurants that really stand out. With thoughtful dishes, fresh and seasonal ingredients, and talented chefs, these eateries are a must-visit the next time you find yourself in the city.

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The Biltmore Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara beach

Now owned by the Four Seasons group, the Biltmore Santa Barbara was first opened in 1927, boasting iconic Spanish Colonial architecture that sets it apart from its competition. An oceanfront resort situated on idyllic Butterfly Beach, the Biltmore offers luxury accommodation, beach-side dining venues, rejuvenating spa treatments and a number of other unique activities, all the while tying this in with its historic charm.

The Accommodation
Unlike the many high-rise hotels that have become all-too-common, the Biltmore consists of low-lying buildings and single storey bungalows, each being home to around five guest rooms and boasting private entrances. The Ty Warner Bungalow not only includes a large living area with a fireplace, but also a 1000 square foot garden patio, complete with fire pit and heated plunge pool, while the Anacapa Suite has a private driveway and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Each of the various rooms offer something slightly different, and are able to cater to just about every need that their guests may have.

Dining Options
The Biltmore is home to some of Santa Barbara’s most revered restaurants. Bella Vista, the resort’s Italian restaurant, is considered to be the restaurant with the most beautiful oceanfront setting in all of Santa Barbara, and has made quite the name for itself thanks to their focus on fresh and organic ingredients, as well as their iconic Sunday brunches. Tydes, which focuses on modern Californian coastal cuisine, is another one of the resort’s oceanfront restaurants, overlooking Butterfly Beach, but is a much more exclusive venue and is only open to guests of the resort and members of the nearby Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. In terms of their more casual dining options, guests can choose from the Coral Café and Bar, as well as Fins, which focuses on healthy and light dishes.

The Spa
The resort’s spa consists of eleven elegant treatment rooms, with the treatments on offer making full use of ingredients from the ocean, as well as botanicals from the many gardens of Santa Barbara. With fourteen different massages, as well as a range of body and facial treatments, this is the ideal way for guests of the Biltmore to relax and unwind.

Beach Volleyball
For guests that are sports enthusiasts, the Biltmore offers a truly unique experience that guarantees to make your stay totally unforgettable. Santa Barbara native Todd Rogers is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, and has been playing beach volleyball for around twenty years. The Biltmore can arrange for guests to spend some time on world-famous East Beach with Rogers, picking up some of the many tips he has learned over the years while facing off against the champion for a friendly match.

Sophisticated yet casual, the Biltmore perfectly mirrors California’s vibe, and offers guests the opportunity to truly indulge. With a stunning oceanfront setting, some of the best dining options in all of Santa Barbara, and activities to make each visit extra-special, it is no surprise that the Biltmore is considered to be one of the finest resorts in the region.

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Sydney’s Hottest Restaurants

Luxe restaurant

Australia’s food industry has boomed in the last few years, and the country is now well known for its beautiful organic produce and world-class wines. While each region in the country may offer something different, Sydney’s vibrant and cosmopolitan atmosphere takes the dining experience to a whole new level. For those of you looking for somewhere exciting to eat in the city, OROGOLD has rounded up some of Sydney’s hottest restaurants.

Luyu & YumYum
Dumplings have recently become a huge culinary sensation in Sydney, but the hottest place by far to eat them is at Luyu & YumYum’s in Newtown. Their menu is fresh and innovative, with their unique take on dumplings accompanied with tea-infused cocktails and biodynamic wines. OROGOLD recommends trying the Snow White dumpling for a delicious explosion of prawn, bamboo shoots, asparagus and the chef’s homemade creamy soup, all wrapped up in a potato dough that has been infused with chrysanthemum.

Quay
Any dining establishment that offers floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views across Sydney Harbour needs to ensure that their food is of the highest quality in order to not be overshadowed, and this is exactly what Quay has done. The restaurant serves modern Australian cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere, bringing together unique ingredients and cooking techniques. While the extensive wine list may seem overwhelming to those who are new to wines, the knowledgeable and friendly sommelier will be able to guide you in your decision.

Bang Street Food
A restaurant that takes inspiration from the chef’s heritage, Bang Street Food serves up some of the finest Bangladeshi cuisine in Australia. With its exposed brick walls and designer interior touches, this restaurant immediately feels completely on-trend, and, of course, its food is a stand-out as well. The menu features a variety of different sharing platters, with some of OROGOLD’s favorite dishes being the Wagyu Tri Tip Curry and the honey-roasted paneer, as well as the rum-drunk doughnuts for dessert. If you’re feeling adventurous, OROGOLD suggests ordering the Bang for Your Buck menu, where the kitchen will put together a meal just for you.

Firedoor
Located in Surrey Hills, Firedoor is the first restaurant in Australia to offer a fire-powered menu, meaning that the wood used in cooking is treated just as importantly as the other main ingredients. Wood is selected for their unique properties, and paired with dishes that they can brilliantly complement, whether it be fish, meat or vegetables. The menu changes daily, with everything cooked to order, so you can be sure that your food is as fresh as possible. With minimalistic cooking, and a strong focus on local produce and exceptional flavors, this is a restaurant that OROGOLD can see becoming very popular.

From modern Australian fine dining to authentic Bengali street food, Sydney’s food scene is definitely exciting. Each of these restaurants adds a unique touch to the city’s culinary offerings, and OROGOLD highly recommends that you pay them a visit to enjoy the unique dishes that they each serve up.

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Where to Eat in San Juan

San Juan Restaurant

Being Puerto Rico’s capital, as well as its largest city, it is no surprise that San Juan has a fantastic array of dining options. From traditional and authentic Puerto Rican cuisine to innovative dishes with international flavors, you will be spoilt for choice when deciding where to eat in the city. To help make your decision slightly easier, OROGOLD has rounded up some of the best places to eat in San Juan.

Sage Steak Loft
Located in the Olive Boutique Hotel, the Sage Steak Loft is one of the hottest new restaurants in San Juan, serving up classic steakhouse dishes with playful twists. Meats are given a local flavor with the use of native fruits, from papaya to mango, and even the ketchup is given a makeover, resulting in a tangy guava ketchup. OROGOLD recommends trying the Wagyu Tomahawk for your main dish – a 30 oz. Australian Wagyu served with the bone in, alongside brussels sprouts that have been roasted in a pomegranate syrup.

Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar
With a head chef that has trained with Raymond Blanc and Gordon Ramsay, you know that the standard of the food served at Marmalade will always be the highest possible. The menu focuses on fresh, raw and veggie-heavy dishes, and while this may not be what immediately comes to mind when you think of Puerto Rican cuisine, this is the restaurant that will change the way that you think about food. Native produce is paired with global inspiration, resulting in dishes such as the ceviche served with tostones, and the vegan poblanos rellenos served on spicy black beans and a flavorful mole.

Pikayo
Located in the Condado Plaza Hilton, Pikayo provides luxurious fine dining that features traditional Puerto Rican cooking techniques and ingredients alongside international influences and hot culinary trends, such as molecular gastronomy. OROGOLD loves how Puerto Rican staples are paired with bites of pure indulgence, such as the seared foie served up with the humble plantain, before being topped with a black truffle honey, as well as some micro cilantro. While this may not be somewhere that you would eat at on a regular basis, it is perfectly suited for a special occasion and will not disappoint.

Oceano
Oceano is a modern mansion situated right by the beach, providing unforgettable ocean views as you enjoy your meal. The chefs make full use of locally sourced ingredients, pairing their Caribbean flair with unexpected flavors. The mahi mahi chicharrones, served with a sweet papaya salsa, make a great starter, while the fresh scallops, served with oven-baked prosciutto de parma and a sweet potato puree, simply melt in your mouth. OROGOLD recommends ordering one of their signature cocktails, as these just make the dining experience even more heavenly.

Puerto Rican cuisine has made quite a name for itself in the culinary world in recent years, with fresh, native ingredients being used to create bold and vibrant flavors. There is no doubt that San Juan has some of the best restaurants in the country, and these will continue to open up around the city as more and more chefs discover Puerto Rico‘s culinary delights.