May knows what I like. One day it might be a Diptyque candle I find on my desk, or a funny little article that she has torn out for me, if she takes me to a lunch she lets me choose a place to eat or she sends me little text messages at the time that I might need it. Yesterday I received  something from her that made me incredibly happy. It was a very thick book (yes Mum, yes Dad, A BOOK!) A book that I will from now on always carry in my bag.  I’ll even sleep with it under my pillow. It is very thick though, so maybe not, but anyway, I know I’ll be busy turning its pages. Where the real chef’s prefer to eat.  This is what it is about. The best names can be found in this book. David Chung who has been cooking under two stars for years, Josep Roca with his El Celler de Can Roca which in 2013 was named the best restaurant in the world and Shannon Bennett, a Michelin chef from Melbourne.   Where do they go when they dine in Amsterdam, London, Paris, New York, Barcelona, Tokyo and dozens of other cities? Not only the most expensive restaurants are mentioned, but the more affordable are discussed as well. May, as always you are right on target. And because I’m so completely in my element here, I’d to like to share some of these great restaurants where the great chefs love to eat with you guys. So will you be in Amsterdam, London or Paris in the near future?  Then you should consider booking a table at one of these places. At least if you haven’t already been.

Amsterdam

Worst

The chefs found this to have the best wine bar which incidentally also has an amazing charcuterie with an amazing selection of cold meats.

Pata Negra

A small tapas bar in the Utrechtsestraat. You can’t make a reservation here and there is a constant stream of people coming and going. “Sit down at the bar and watch the cooks surprise you!” is what is recommended here.

De Kas

De Kas is Dutch for the Greenhouse. I’ve been here once. Insanely impressive. The restaurant is almost entirely made of glass (thus the name, duuh) and there is an incredible amount of produce that comes from their own garden. For an even better experience, reserve the Chef’s Table. Then you’re sitting smack bang in the middle of the kitchen!

Paris

La Rotonde

A true Parisian brasserie that is open and warmly receives people until two o’clock in the morning. Even if you order a main meal only half an hour beforehand. The Chefs choice here was a steak with béarnaise sauce and fries.

L’atelier de Joël Robuchon

I’ve been lucky enough to eat here once. Up at the bar is the place to be as the bar wraps around the kitchen.  Sitting there you get to see the way everything is prepared and have a nice time socializing with their top notch waiters and bar staff. It also seems to be a place that every chef wishes that they had opened themselves. It’s all in the book. By the way, this restaurant is crazy expensive.

Pascade

Here they serve pascade (a kind of crepe-slash-souffle). “You haven’t lived unless you’ve tried it at least once.” Clear enough instructions for me!

London

The River Café

I would be very happy to eat here again. This restaurant is run by two women who have also written the most incredible cookbook, so then it has to be good right. When the sun shines their terrace is amazing.

Hakkasan

I went here once at about 22:30 with Liesbeth. It was totally pumping. Cocktails all over the place and it was swinging like crazy. It’s kind of like you find yourself in quite a decadent and chic Asian atmosphere (also expensive). If you’ve eaten black cod you won’t want to eat anything else in your life. They are the words of no chef, but it’s what I’m saying.

Bar Italia

This restaurant is like a narrow tunnel in the wall. There are only fluorescent TL lights. It employs real Italians who make the best coffee, the atmosphere is charming and the audience ranges from young to old and from construction workers to fancy and freaky. Here is a place to even simply go to for an espresso and tiramisu. Divine.