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Zazu Restaurant, Quito’s top restaurant with local and Peruvian influences, is a hidden culinary gem that will satisfy even the most jaded taste buds. Sitting in Quito’s modern heart, not in the historic district, the restaurant welcomes you with a simple design – rich woods, stone and glass. I was escorted to my table in the corner which had views over the other diners and the beautiful bar a few steps away. But, the food was the focus of my attention. I opted for the ten course tasting menu. And, my God was that a good choice. Plates of ahi tuna, seafood risotto, gnocchi with yellow potato and truffles, ossobuco and more made it to my table in perfect procession. Chef Rafael Perez, hailing from Peru himself, delivered many of the dishes personally to explain the subtle nuances and flavor profiles. Each small plate was a work of art – almost too perfect to touch. But, I got over that rather quickly. Featuring a spiral wine cellar with Ecuadorian, Chilean, Argentinian, French and California varieties – each course was paired with the perfect vintage. I stuck to red as my dinner was fairly red meat heavy. For dessert, Ecuadorian chocolate was the star with chocolate mousse and cake with homemade ice creams. This meal was well thought out and perfectly executed – with not a single beat missed.  Dinner for two (aside from the tasting menus) will cost about $60 – money well spent.

As a food and shopping lover, there’s always the challenge of finding the perfect places while traveling where you can indulge in the local cuisine while simultaneously not lose momentum during inevitable retail binges. Enter the food hall at the Lotte Department Store in the Lotte Hotel. Known for their many hotel locations throughout Seoul, the Lotte brand is synonymous with luxury and business travel. But, to me, the most incredible place the company has built is the food hall. Outfitted in marble and filled with purveyors selling everything from fresh kimchi to green tea from Jeju island, shoppers can find anything and everything needed to keep their inner gourmand content. Perfect melons wrapped in pink bows and purple tissue paper, mahogany chestnuts in luscious heaps, fresh blue crabs from the sea – every corner is a feast for your eyes and stomach. There are even food stalls and restaurants within the hall where one can sit and enjoy a meal of any international cuisine. If you come to Seoul, this is a “must” – even just to see it firsthand. Think along the lines of Harrods of London or Takashimaya of Tokyo. But, they don’t hold a candle to Lotte.

Michel Cluizel is a family owned operation. The French chocolate makers have been in the business of churning out expertly crafted morsels of heaven since 1948. At their headquarters in Damville, Normandy, France, the family lingers over every decision and ingredient, all in an effort to make a product that has a place of its own in the global market. I visited the 5th Avenue flagship store in New York City recently to learn more and sample some of what Michel Cluizel has to offer. On a busy corner, I found a quiet and serene storefront that smelled of nougat, coffee and, of course, chocolate from the moment I stepped in. Instantly I saw glass covered counters which guarded the prized sweets from touch but left the eye to absorb the magic of chocolate dipped fruit, bonbons, cacao dusted caramels, milk chocolate nougat, truffles, praline, gianduja, marzipan and ganache. It was sensory overload in the best of ways. I glided slowly past each section salivating over what would soon be in my hand and in my mouth. The manager of the store assisted in selecting a smattering of choices from the collections. I chose their world-famous praline which features roasted nuts, an extra step most chocolatiers don’t take due to expense. It makes a difference. I also indulged in pure dark, coffee-infused bonbons and two truffles. Each bite was rich and flavorful, making an impact. I sipped an espresso from their bar while enjoying the treats. What is noticeable at Michel Cluizel is that every detail of the chocolate is paid respect. There is no misstep, no cutting corners – and it shows. I appreciate companies who take the extra time and expense in making sure their product is a true reflection of their core values. As a customer, I could feel that. For an true chocolate connoisseur, Michel Cluizel will not disappoint.

The clean lines inside and out at the inviting, wood-panelled Zuka on Leblon’s foodie favorite, Rua Dias Ferreira, are echoed in the carefully prepared dishes emerging from chef Ludmilla Soeiro’s kitchen. Marking its ten-year anniversary in 2012 with a new menu, the large, coal grill remains the centerpiece of contemporary cuisine, perfectly charring the tuna and organic beef to perfection. The food at Zuka is a mix of international and Brazilian flavors, with distinctively local ingredients. Being that Rio sits against the sea, expect excellent seafood options. Whatever you choose, the choice will be the right one. Don’t miss this gem of epicurean paradise.

With a plethora of noteworthy Japanese restaurants operating throughout Manhattan, it sometimes takes an experience so special, that you actually sit up and pay attention as a diner. This was the case at a recent dinner I had at David Bouley’s Brushstroke in TriBeCa. Sitting in a perfectly lit room at a counter made from the trees on Mr. Bouley’s farm in Connecticut, I was in a prime position to gaze out over the pristine kitchen. The decor, in true Japanese style, is minimal and heavy in white woods and stone. The main dining room is separated from a smaller, more intimate room serving strictly sushi. Each side holds a Michelin star. Soon after sitting, my sommelier introduced himself and recommended a wine pairing for the tasting menu that was about to begin. I agreed enthusiastically. Each of the eight courses were paired perfectly with specialty and rare sakes from various regions of Japan. And, interestingly, a very unique Austrian vineyard made an appearance toward the end of the meal. Course after course of well-executed food was presented – all cooked by talented chef, Isao Yamada. In true Bouley style, the presentation was just as yummy as the food itself. The first course, which consisted of a Scottish langoustine with sea scallop, late winter vegetables and tofu “snow”, was delivered under a giant leaf that had been frozen in time by means of preservation. And, as if I had been wandering through a forest outside of Kyoto and found it myself under a giant tree, the jewel of an amuse-bouche was served. After came dishes like: golden crab chawanmushi with truffles, sashimi of fatty tuna and fluke, Canadian Fuji-pork belly confit with sweet apple vinegar and dungeness crab with Maine lobster and bamboo shoots over do-nabe pot. The flavors married nicely and the meal flowed like butter. The staff are very attentive at Brushstroke. There are no less than three people ensuring your happiness at all times – but they don’t overwhelm you either. Each course was explained when served, too, making education a key part of this meal. As dessert was brought over, a delightful soy panna cotta, I actually didn’t want the meal to end. But, all good things do at some point. I guess I was lucky to end it on such a high and sweet note.

Thornton’s Restaurant, just off St. Stephen’s Green in The Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin, is one of my favorite dining experiences I’ve had in a very long time. Some come to Ireland not expecting exciting cuisine. But, what a misconception. The island is dotted with interesting, relevant and noteworthy dining experiences that can hold their own among the world’s best. Thornton’s is at the top of that list. Chef and proprietor, Kevin Thornton, the food curator, invites you into his elegant lair to experience comfortably experimental cuisine with Irish and international influences. Sitting at the table, staring-out at St. Stephen’s Green, you can’t help but be taken by the moment. Friendly staff welcome you into their family for the evening – wanting nothing more than to provide you with the very best service and food possible. They succeed effortlessly. Chef Thornton designed an individual and seasonal tasting menu for me to experience. Throughout ten courses, he guided me through incredibly delicious and well-thought-out cuisine. I started with beef carpaccio with dried horse radish and sheep cheese yogurt. My second course was Red Mullet fish, shallot puree and asparagus. The third course was a scallop carpaccio with beet puree and apple drops served on a marble slab. What could come next after all of this? Roasted scallops with sea urchin, sea urchin sauce, caviar and salmon roe. My fifth course was geared toward more hearty offerings featuring lamb with carrot pure, broad beans, wild garlic sauce and lamb belly served in a “garden” of Irish moss and greens. One of my favorite courses of the evening was a beautiful pigeon stuffed with hay, presented on hay with a group of speckled eggs. The pigeon had been smoked with 10,000 year-old Bog Oak and was labeled “from life to death”. It was Chef Thornton’s coy and metaphorical way of showing how the bird’s life started and how it ended. The message was surprisingly beautiful and, to me, was a way to honor the life that was taken for the meal in front of me. Truly special. Towards the end, I sampled truffled scrambled duck eggs served inside the pristinely white duck egg itself. The chef also sampled Cashel blue cheese which was made on his father’s farm, presented with apple, quince and walnuts. I was continuously mesmerized by each offering brought to my table. I could feel the love in the food and literally saw the innate respect and understanding of the food, its seasonal power and homage to the bounty of Ireland. I ended my meal with a freshly steeped pot of mint tea and left satisfied. To all the foodies who are looking for something truly different and intimate, as well as flavor that will knock your socks off, Thornton’s is it.

Salvador Dali, the famed painter and artist, is the longest running guest at the illustrious Le Meurice Hotel in its 200 plus year history. The incredible palace hotel, set on Rue de Rivoli in Paris, is an ideal setting blending the old with the re-imagined “new” by talented celebrity designer, Philippe Starck. Tucked inside, just away from the stunning lobby, is Le Dali. The restaurant is headed by one of the most well known chefs on the planet – Alain Ducasse. From the moment you enter, surrounded by original murals dating back to the 1800s, tile work and select, modern-day furnishings chosen carefully to blend with rare antiquities, you know you’re somewhere special. Seated around you are guests of the hotel as well as Paris’ fashion leaders, business people and well-to-do, all enjoying conversation and culinary delights that seem to flow from the kitchen as easily as water from a spring. I spent an afternoon in the restaurant over lunch. Throughout the two-hour affair, I enjoyed lobster bisque, fresh scallops with truffles, macarons and a coconut-lime eclair. And, through it all, I sipped a 2007 sauvignon blanc. Wow. My table was attended to by no less than four members of the wait staff, all eagerly assisting each other in making sure my meal was perfect. The food was rich, flavorful yet light enough to enjoy course after course. My favorite part, though, was when my waitress brought out a dessert selection from pastry chef Cédric Grolet that included an orange made with liquid chocolate and cacao butter, filled with blood orange mousse and candied citrus fruits. It was pure heaven. If you’re in the mood for a leisurely afternoon over excellent food, or a special occasion dinner, this is a place that should be on every visitor’s list when planning their culinary itinerary in Paris.

La Table Du Lancaster, tucked inside Hotel Lancaster just off the Champs-Élysées, provides a personal and intimate dining experience for its guests. Unless you’re “in the know” or are staying at the privately-owned, French hotel, you’d never know it was there. But, what a shame to miss this scrumptious dining gem. I booked a table for dinner one evening not knowing what to expect aside from the good reviews I’d read. My expectations were exceeded. The dining room is quiet and simple. You can hear a pin drop. The only commotion is the conversation being had at other tables throughout the room and by the waitstaff hustling about in an effort to make your meal memorable. After I was seated, the sommelier offered to choose my wine for me, pairing each course with the appropriate red or white. He did an excellent job, explaining to me each variety as my glass was switched out. The kitchen, headed by the talented chef Julien Roucheteau, started me with a beet root and herring macaron followed by a tomato and white cheese pie with truffle and sweet chestnut. This was just the “welcome”. Proceeding dishes included: Sautéd white fish with squash, scallops and shaved truffles, langoustines and caviar, cauliflower salad, a selection of French cheeses from around the country and dessert to linger over. I was stuffed, in the best possible way, by the end of the meal. And, I knew the problem wasn’t isolated to me. A British couple seated nearby declined the cheese selection due to their full bellies and then quickly recanted their decision once they saw the selection wheeled out before them. Overall, this was a fabulous dinner. The service was impeccable – the best I’ve had in Paris. The staff eagerly awaited my opinion of the food and did so for every other table as well. I highly recommend a meal at La Table du Lancaster. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, the gastronomy is too noteworthy to miss.

High tea is an experience that dates back hundreds of years and has become a part of certain cultures around the globe. You can travel pretty much anywhere and find some version of a “high tea” or “tea ritual”. But the king of these experiences, to me, is the traditional British-style tea offered at luxurious hotels and restaurants. One of the best I’ve seen recently was at Ireland’s Ashford Castle. Sitting on a tufted satin sofa in their drawing room, peering out at Loch Corrib through a wall of glass windows, the setting is instantly perfect for the experience about to unfold. Any guest or visitor to the Cong area of Western Ireland should not miss tea here. A selection of darjeeling, herbal, green, rooibos and more are presented for your choosing. I opted for the Chinese green pearls delicately scented with jasmine. The tea is prepared away from your table and brought-out in the grandest of ways. Tier after tier of pastry towers are stacked upon each other to offer everything from finger sandwiches to freshly baked scones. Individual sweets are created by the castle’s pastry chef and are served in the company of salmon, egg, cucumber and chicken sandwiches. The scones are to die for, and aren’t complete without the fresh whipped cream, lemon curd and homemade preserves served with them. Ashford Castle tea time is an event not to be missed!

Before I had even sat down to eat lunch at the renowned La Colombe restaurant on the Constantia Uitsig wine estate outside of Cape Town, I already had expectations. Consistently ranked as one of South Africa’s finest dining establishments, I was hoping for the best. Normally, I don’t go by those lists as I find many of them too political and often flawed. But, upon entering the rustic, French-chic country cottage that houses the restaurant, I knew I was in for a treat. Our waitress introduced herself and said she would be guiding us through our options for lunch. She was literally the best waitress I’ve ever encountered in my life, both in service and demeanor. She started us off with a “welcome” from the chef which was presented in a glass fish bowl that depicted an “under the sea” edible scene – I about died over that. The appetizers and main courses followed, all of them with a different theme and artful fantasy presented on the plate. I especially loved the timing of the meal with appropriate breaks added-in to cleanse the palette with lemon sorbet and prepare you for the next course. The entire meal took about three hours – I could have spent four or five and been just as comfortable. My favorite part, though, was the “jewelry box” of turkish delights, bonbons and candies presented with the check. I don’t care where you are in South Africa, even if it’s on safari in Kruger Park, fly to Cape Town for the day and head straight to La Colombe. No appreciative and detail-oriented foodie should be deprived of this experience.

Patissier Es Koyama, located roughly 45 minutes outside of Osaka, Japan, is a confectionary powerhouse that has seemingly sailed under the international radar since 2003. In the area where the brick and mortar shop is located, the city of Sanda, it’s really quite famous. But only recently did I discover why es Koyama is the most special chocolate maker and patissier in Northern Asia. When sifting through the selection of chocolate crafted by the innovative chef, Mr. Susumu Koyama, there is no part of his imagination that has been untapped. His creations have been awarded around the world in cities like Paris and New York for their true departure from the norm in the industry. They offer many beautiful and well-curated box sets for sale which feature top sellers from the past three years. Dark chocolate and miso, chocolate covered ground almond and green pepper, chocolate and nato beans – the choices are endless. The unique tastes created by Mr. Koyama delight every tastebud. And, in true Japanese form, the presentation is stunning, in beautifully printed papers, foils, corked boxes and chocolate “books”. What I admire about es Koyama is that it is a brand that can easily compete amongst the best in their class in the luxury chocolate category, but they take the snobbery out of it. It’s pure, grounded and rooted in creativity. Although they do not sell their product in North America at the moment, it’s worth every effort to visit the brick and mortar store in Japan. It will be one of the best stops you make while traveling all year.

L’atelier, or, workshop, in French, is a cafe located in Seoul alongside a dessert shop called Passion 5. On the second floor of the building, sits the restaurant. A perfect place to stop in and sample creative food in a truly artful, tasty and kitschy way – everything from pastas to salads and incredible desserts are served. The space is airy and light, clean and features white walls and floors along with glass walls. L’atelier cafe is perfect for a mid-shopping day stop-off to refuel before heading back out into the exciting city.