Tag Archives: Michelin

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Five Stars in London

The Savoy

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London’s luxury hotels stand out from those in other cities around the world, and this is because they are each embedded with such a deep sense of history and tradition, with many of them retaining characteristic features that date back to their Victorian and Edwardian days. From the townhouses of Brown’s to the historic Art Deco architecture of The Dorchester, these are some of the finest hotels in London.

Brown’s Hotel
Consisting of 11 townhouses just off Piccadilly, Brown’s Hotel was founded over 175 years ago, and has quite the unique history. Not only was it where Rudyard Kipling completed the Jungle Book, and where Agatha Christie spent many nights, but it was also from here that Alexander Graham Bell made the world’s first ever phone call. The hotel was renovated in 2005, but has retained many of its original features, but updated this with modern amenities, such as the interactive entertainment in each of the guest rooms and the plush marble bathrooms. When it comes to dining, guests have the option of the traditional tea room, or the hotel’s innovative British restaurant, complete with cocktail bar.

The Dorchester
The Dorchester’s Art-Deco building dates all the way back to 1931 and is situated on Park Lane, one of the most prestigious addresses in London. Each guest room is tastefully luxurious, filled with fabrics that have been specially commissioned, one-of-a-kind antique furniture pieces and the most comfortable of beds. When it comes to their dining options, the Dorchester is home to the only restaurant in the country that holds three Michelin stars, with its French cuisine promising to be some of the best you have ever tasted. The Dorchester Spa is another highlight of the hotel, and their range of treatments are beautifully rounded off with a visit to the Spatisserie for a glass of vintage champagne.

The Savoy
A world famous hotel, the Savoy has had a variety of influences over time, from English Edwardian touches to Art Deco flare, and it has managed to retain and combine these in a truly unique way. The hotel’s rooms and suites offer views out across some of the most famous of London landmarks, but it is the dining options that really set The Savoy apart from its competition. The hotel has always placed an emphasis on fine dining, ever since world-class chef Auguste Escoffier first set this standard in 1889. Gordon Ramsay’s Savoy Grill is one of the most popular restaurants at the Savoy, featuring a British grill menu with some French influences. Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill is where guests go when they are after something slightly more informal, while those who want a sense of tradition, as well as one of the best roast dinners they will have ever tasted, head to Simpson’s in the Strand and the Knight’s Bar. The Savoy is also home to the American Bar, the oldest cocktail bar in the city, and is constantly pushing boundaries when it comes to innovations in mixology.

London is home to hotels that are not only some of the finest in the country, but also in the world, offering a level of high-class luxury that simply cannot be experienced elsewhere. With their history, tradition and thoughtful personal touches, you definitely will not go wrong by choosing one of these five-star hotels to stay at.

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How to Live Luxe in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

It is sometimes all-too-easy to think of Amsterdam in terms of the clichés that surround it, but, when you take the time to look deeper, the city’s vibrant and dynamic heart shines through. From luxurious shops to extravagant restaurants, this is your guide to living luxe in Amsterdam.

P.C. Hooftstraat

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Luxury Shopping
For the most high end and luxurious shops in the city, head to P. C. Hooftstraat, which has frequently been rated in the top three in lists of the nicest places to shop in the world. This has been an exclusive shopping destination since the 1970’s, and boasts a wide range of international brands, from Hugo Boss to Ralph Lauren to Gucci. If you are searching for high-end local designers, then the Van Baerlestraat is the place to go, as it is here that you will find a fantastic selection of boutiques from Dutch designers. Willemsparkweg is also home to an exciting array of boutiques, and it is quite easy to spend the entire afternoon browsing through the accessory, fashion and homeware stores.

World-Class Fine Dining
When it comes to dining out, Amsterdam has some of the finest restaurants in the world, from classic Michelin-starred fine dining to casual but elegant cafés. La Rive is one of these Michelin-starred restaurants, and while it may not be easy to secure a table here, once you do, you will be amongst the company of dignitaries, royalty and rock stars. Ciel Bleu is the only restaurant in Amsterdam with two Michelin stars, guaranteeing you an unforgettable meal. If you decide to pay it a visit, try to request a table by the window on the northern side of the restaurant, because, with the restaurant being situated 23 floors above the city, these are the windows that offer a rare panoramic view down onto the busy streets of Amsterdam.

Bartender making a cocktail

Handcrafted Cocktails
Amsterdam may be packed with bars and clubs, but there are some that pride themselves on being a cut above the competition in terms of the quality of their drinks and the ambiance of their setting. Hiding in Plain Sight is one of these venues, and has been voted as the best cocktail bar in Amsterdam on more than one occasion. As elegant as this bar may be, there are always times when you want something more exclusive, and this is when you should pay a visit to Door 74, which is one of the city’s secret bars. A phone number needs to be called to secure a reservation, which can only be done each day itself, and the mysterious décor, coupled with the creative cocktails and custom concoctions, make it a bar that is a delight to spend time in.

Luxury living is synonymous with the heart and soul of Amsterdam, and, if you know where to go, it is easy to live luxe in the city. From dining at Michelin-starred eateries to sipping on one-of-a-kind cocktails, Amsterdam is a city that welcomes those who appreciate elegance and class.

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Best Celebrity Chef Restaurants

Gordon Ramsay Restaurant

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Whether you love them or hate them, celebrity chefs are hard to avoid these days, and there is no denying that each and every one of us would love to take a bite out of some of those dishes featured on our screens. Luckily, this is actually possible, as the majority of celebrity chefs have their own restaurants where they serve up their signature dishes. While there may be plenty of restaurants to choose from, here at OROGOLD we most certainly have our favorites, so read on to discover some of the best celebrity chef restaurants around the world.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, London, UK
It goes without saying that Gordon Ramsay needs no introduction, and is probably one of the most well-known celebrity chefs in the world. As a chef that is currently holding 14 Michelin stars, you can be sure that a meal at one of Ramsay’s restaurants will be truly exquisite. Although Ramsay has restaurants all over the world, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, located in London, is OROGOLD’s favorite. In addition to their frequently evolving menus, the restaurant also offers up a few Masterclasses each year, where customers will be taught how to create a three-course meal from the signature recipes used by the restaurant.

CraftSteak, Las Vegas, US
Those of you who watch Top Chef or Best New Restaurant will immediately recognize American celebrity chef Tom Colicchio as the head judge on the show. With five James Beard Foundation Awards under his belt for his culinary accomplishments, it is no surprise that his restaurants around the US are a great success. While we would never turn down a meal at any of Colicchio’s establishments, OROGOLD’s favorite restaurant of his is CraftSteak. Located inside the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, this Las Vegas joint makes the most of high quality, fresh ingredients, treating each one of them with the utmost respect. For those of you planning to pay it a visit, OROGOLD would highly recommend the chef, or seasonal, tasting menu.

The Fat Duck, Berkshire, UK
Heston Blumenthal, a British celebrity chef, is a pioneer in the industry when it comes to multi-sensory cooking and food pairing. His restaurant in Berkshire, The Fat Duck, is one of just four restaurants in the UK to hold three Michelin stars, and is frequently mentioned in many ‘World’s Best Restaurant’ lists. The restaurant is famous for its 14-course tasting menu featuring highly conceptual dishes. Some of OROGOLD’s favorites are the Mock Turtle Soup, which is inspired by Alice in Wonderland and involves a fob watch being dissolved in a teacup using beef stock ‘tea’, as well as Blumenthal’s famous egg and bacon ice cream.

Although you may end up paying more for a meal at a restaurant owned by a celebrity chef, it is usually well worth the money, as you will be treated to a culinary experience like no other. From the conceptual dishes designed to bring back childhood memories that are served up at The Fat Duck, to beef textures being described like fine wines at Tom Colicchio’s CraftSteak, OROGOLD’s favorite celebrity chef restaurants will never fail to provide you with an exquisite meal.

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Singapore’s Best Champagne Brunches

Champagne brunch

Singaporeans love to eat, and when that is paired with drinking champagne in the middle of the day, it is no surprise that champagne brunches have become extremely popular all over the city. While there may be many to choose from, there are a specific few that truly stand out. Here are OROGOLD’s top recommendations for the best champagne brunches in Singapore.

The Greenhouse, The Ritz Carlton Milennia
Nothing can quite beat the Sunday Vintage Champagne Brunch at the Ritz Carlton Milennia’s Greenhouse restaurant. With a live band playing in the grand dining room, a huge spread of both seafood and roasted meats, including eight different oyster varieties, 50 French farmhouse cheeses and a steady flow of Moet & Chandon vintage champagne, this is certainly the place that you want to be brunching at on a Sunday. At 1pm, the talented chefs put on a bit of a show, shaving generous heaps of black truffle onto a 3-foot long Italian polenta, which is definitely worth tasting once they are done! If you are after something even splashier, OROGOLD recommends booking yourself a spot on one of the restaurant’s Superbrunches, which are held twice a year. With dishes prepared by a Michelin-starred chef, brought in specially for the event, and 21 food stations that span the length of the hotel’s first floor, this is easily somewhere that you could spend many happy hours!

The Edge, Pan Pacific
While most champagne brunches in Singapore last for up to 3 hours, the Sunday champagne brunch at the Pan Pacific hotel’s The Edge restaurant stretches out for up to 4 hours. With a never-ending stream of Veuve Cliquot champagne, along with fantastic gourmet dishes, this will be the most enjoyable and leisurely meal that you have all week. Unlike many other brunches, where the majority of dishes are served buffet-style, The Edge does things slightly differently. Here, guests will find seven live cooking stations, where they can choose from a variety of dishes, such as grilled Wagyu beef or a Thai salad. OROGOLD also loves the two-meter long cheeseboard, featuring 30 different artisan cheeses.

Bar and Billiard Room, Raffles Hotel
The Sunday champagne brunch at the Raffles’ Bar and Billiard Room, located in the lobby of this majestic hotel, is a must for all those meat-lovers out there. Carnivores will be delighted with the wide variety of meats at the cold cuts and carving stations, all of which have been freshly flown in from around the world and include dishes such as roasted Welsh lamb, Australian prime rib, peppered tenderloin carpaccio, and barbecued Iberico pork ribs. The Colonial atmosphere in the dining room is unparalleled, with its wooden furniture, tiled floors and grand chandeliers. The champagne that is served up with the brunch is Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve, making it easy to get through quite a few glasses! If you still have room in your stomach at the end of the meal, OROGOLD highly recommends giving the mascarpone calamansi ice cream a try – you won’t be disappointed!

With endless plates of gourmet food and a never ending flow of the finest glasses of bubbly, Singapore’s champagne brunches are definitely the place to indulge on a Sunday. Although there are many to choose from all over the city, the restaurants that OROGOLD has listed are some of the best, so be warned that you are likely to need to make a booking in advance.

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High End Hong Kong Dining

Fine dining restaurant

Hong Kong is a city of serious food lovers, meaning that the dining options are excitingly varied. While the local street food is definitely not to be missed, here are some of OROGOLD’s favorite high end dining spots in Hong Kong, where you can indulge in some of the best food in Asia, if not the world.

China Club
The China Club is the only members-only restaurant in Hong Kong, making it the most exclusive, and for years it has attracted an elite crowd. Its strong sense of tradition, history and culture is paired with exquisite Chinese dishes, offering up both home-style dishes as well as gourmet gastronomical delights. While you won’t be able to walk in off the street without a membership, many of the high-end hotel concierges will be able to book you a table.

Amber, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Not only is Amber one of the finest restaurants in Hong Kong, but it is also ranked in the top 50 restaurants of the world. OROGOLD highly recommends the Weekend Wine Brunch, which offers up a six course degustation menu, with each course paired with a different wine. While the caviar may be Amber’s signature dish, OROGOLD’s favorite has to be the melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu – something meat lovers should not leave the city without trying! Servers are attentive and knowledgable about the dishes and beverages, and add that personal touch that helps to make each visit even more memorable.

Le Dome de Cristal
The first Cristal branded restaurant in the world, Le Dome de Cristal serves up delectable French cuisine paired with some of the best wines that you will find in Hong Kong. The chef comes from a Michelin background, and this is instantly visible when your first dish is placed in front of you. From special seasonal menus to an eight-course degustation feast to a-la-carte options, the promise to tantalize your taste buds in new and exciting ways with each visit is always upheld.

Nobu
The most acclaimed Japanese restaurant in the world did not take long to win over the hearts of those in Hong Kong, and it remains a firm favorite with both locals as well as visitors. In addition to Nobu’s signature dishes, you will also be able to try some unique new creations that make use of local ingredients. If you are feeling dazzled by the mouthwatering menu, OROGOLD recommends ordering the Oven Baked Black Cod, cooked in a lotus leaf and topped with yuzu and dried miso. For something slightly different, arrange your visit for the afternoon, where you can indulge in a Japanese afternoon tea, with a wide variety of delicious treats to choose from.

Hong Kong is always welcoming new restaurants, meaning that its food scene is constantly evolving. From the finest Japanese food in the world to traditional Chinese dishes to gourmet French cuisine, you will definitely not be leaving Hong Kong feeling hungry!

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Celebrity Dining Hot Spots – OROGOLD Reviews

Couple having a meal in a fine dining restaurant.

Just like us non-famous folk, celebrities also have their favorite restaurants that they return to again and again. For a chance to bump elbows with your favorite star, OROGOLD reviews popular celebrity dining hot spots around the world.

Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles
This iconic fixture on the Hollywood Hills is so packed with celebrities that the hotel forbids any photographs from being taken, even of your friends or your food. One of the greatest things about Chateau Marmont is that it has barely changed throughout the decades, and still attracts many celebrities, being the favorite dining spot and hotel for stars such as Lady Gaga, Lindsay Lohan, James Franco and Lana Del Ray. If you are going to dine at Chateau Marmont, expect a crowd of paparazzi at the entrance. OROGOLD suggests that, for the best people-watching spot, you dine on the patio at the main restaurant of the hotel, but don’t forget the No Photography policy!

Centrale, Venice
The only restaurant in Venice that serves food until 2am, Centrale enjoys its location in one of the most romantic cities in the world. The menu features Italian fine dining dishes, and the lounge is an ideal place to relax with a cocktail, making it no surprise that it is the go-to dining hotspot in Venice for celebrities such as Christina Aguilera and Elton John.

MO Bar, Hong Kong
Hong Kong attracts plenty of celebrities, be it for a vacation or for business, especially for those who are involved in the fashion industry. The MO Bar is located in Hong Kong’s iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and specializes in fresh, organic food that is served throughout the day, as well as delicious cocktails. In the evenings, MO Bar turns into a sophisticated night spot, with DJs spinning hot tracks every night of the week. Many celebrities stay at the hotel itself, and recent guests that have been seen at MO Bar include Stella McCartney, Giorgio Armani, and Helen Mirren.

Chiltern Firehouse, London
The Chiltern Firehouse is a contemporary restaurant in London, serving up dishes that have been inspired by the freshest of ingredients and created by a Michelin-starred chef. The menu, which draws on American and European influences, is always changing, which may be why so many celebrities keep returning to the restaurant. From Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue to Gordon Ramsay and Lily Allen, the chances to spot your favorite stars are endless. The only downside is that the wait list for a table, even on a mid-week night, is tortuously long.

ONE, Toronto
The Hazelton Hotel is one of the best hotels in Canada, and is located in an affluent area of Toronto. The cuisine features delectable French and Italian dishes, and, of course, with such great food comes a star-studded following. Celebrities that have been spotted dining at ONE include Justin Bieber, Brad and Angelina, Blake Lively and Jennifer Lopez.

There are celebrity dining hot spots all over the world, and the chance to be seated next to your favorite movie star always makes a dining experience much more exciting. If you are hoping to dine at one of these venues, OROGOLD recommends making a booking as far in advance as possible, so that you are guaranteed a table on the night that you have chosen.

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Vegas Survival Guide – OROGOLD Reviews

The Las Vegas Strip

Although one of the most exciting and stimulating destinations in the world, Vegas can also often be slightly overwhelming, especially to first time visitors. Take a look at the top tips in OROGOLD’s Vegas Survival Guide to ensure that you have the best experience possible the next time you visit this glittering oasis in the middle of the desert.

Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, USA.

Choose Your Hotel Wisely
There are plenty of accommodation options in Vegas, but each offer something slightly different. Some hotels are not located on the Vegas Strip, meaning that if you are looking to see a show, you would need to take a taxi. For those who are looking to gamble, be sure to choose a hotel that has a good casino, as some hotels, such as Trump, don’t have a casino. Some hotels provide fast food options, while some only offer fine dining, so keep your food budget in mind when booking your accommodation.

Las Vegas Hotel.

Advance Planning and Booking
The shows in Vegas sell out extremely quickly, so it is essential to do some research before arriving and decide which shows you want to see. These can then be booked in advance, guaranteeing you a seat and allowing you to skip any ticket queues on the day. There are also plenty of Michelin starred restaurants in Vegas, but reservations for these also fill up quickly, so make sure to book a table as early as possible if there is a particular restaurant that you are dying to try.

Closeup of cards and chips on a poker table.

Gambling
Almost everyone that visits Vegas cannot resist trying their luck at some of the many attractive gambling options. The best thing to do is to purchase a member card for the hotel that you plan to gamble at, even if it is not the hotel that you are staying at, as this will enable you to rack up plenty of points that can then be used for discounts in the future. If you are tempted by a particular game that is new to you, don’t be put off by the high minimum bids. Instead, have a walk around the casino as you are likely to find that same game at another table with a lower minimum bid. Don’t forget that drinks are usually free at the casinos, so it often makes more sense to stop off for a quick gamble and a free drink rather than paying the extortionate price that many establishments charge for drinks.

Hoover Dam at night.

Pace Yourself
With no clocks in the casinos, a never-ending free flow of drinks, and nightclubs that are open at all hours, it can be easy, as well as plenty of fun, to lose track of time and fall into the seductive grip of Vegas. However, you also don’t want to be spending the next day feeling queasy from the amount of drinks that you consumed the night before, so it really is important to pace yourself. Although most of the entertainment takes place at night, if you want to do any daytime activities, such as relaxing by the pool or visiting the Hoover Dam, OROGOLD recommends having a quiet evening the night before, ensuring that you are fresh and energized the next morning.

Vegas attracts visitors from all over the globe, and is the most popular gambling destination in the world. Take the time to research the area before visiting, pin-pointing certain attractions that you want to see, to ensure that you have the best experience possible.