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Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?
It's a question that comes up again and again. Even more so in the last few years, as the industrialized world seems to become food obsessed. Not just with eating in general but also where it comes from (is it local?) and how it's grown. Our preoccupation with provenance is almost an existential crisis: it seems we have this growing need (no pun intended) to touch our food, to get closer to it, because technology is alienating us in an unprecedented way.And so now, more than ever, we're traveling just to satisfy that craving – a simple desire and a deeper one. Okay, this is getting way too serious. The point is, when I attended a couple food-centric events recently for the Lucky Rice Festival and the James Beard Awards, both in New York, I asked the participating chefs and mixologists the question: where would you travel just to eat? Not surprisingly many of them were looking to Japan and Spain for their inspiration.
Here's how they all answered:
•Ted Allen, author of "In My Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Discoveries for Passionate Cooks"
I'd go to Tokyo. I was there once – just for three days and I ate at a workingman's place that was just great. It's one of the world's great cuisines.
I'd go to Tokyo. I was there once – just for three days and I ate at a workingman's place that was just great. It's one of the world's great cuisines.
New York. Wait! I think I'd go to Las Vegas. All the top chefs are there. I've been there over 100 times. The restaurant I would go to frequently was 808 but, sadly, it closed. I also really like eating at Joel Robuchon and Michael Mina's place.
•Garrett Eagleton, the Beagle, New York City
Vietnam. It's so different from anything else and I love pho. It would be a cheap and amazing food adventure.
•Vikram Garg, chef at Halekulani, Honolulu
That's a very challenging question. I think I'd go to Spain. It's all about the ingredients. Plus Spanish chefs are so progressive and so ahead of the time. In terms of where I'd go, I'd call up my chef friends – Ferran (Adria) and Jose Andres – and they'd tell me where I should go. It wouldn't have to be Michelin-starred restaurants.
•Stephanie Izard, executive chef at Girl & the Goat, Chicago
India. I'm not exactly sure where I'd go but I've been reading a lot about Indian cuisine lately and it just sounds great.
•Matt Lambert, chef at Madame Geneva, New York City
I'd go to Bangkok. Specifically I'd eat at David Thompson's place Nham. He's doing some really special stuff over there, including reintroducing some heirloom vegetables to the Thai food landscape. He's a really great chef.
•Joseph Lenn, chef at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
Spain. They're doing some of the most creative food there right now. I'd check out Etxebarri, near San Sebastian, as well as Mugaritz.
•Paul Qui, executive chef at Uchiko, winner of "Top Chef Texas," Austin
San Sebastian. It has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain. I'd hit up Mugaritz and Arzak, for sure. I'm sad I wouldn't be able to head down to elBulli anymore.
•Julie Reiner, mixologist at Lani Kai, New York City
Japan. I love Japanese food. It would be interesting to eat in such an authentic way. I think I'd eat mostly sushi.
I'd go to Peru and eat anticuchos, a meat stew that a lot of slaves and Chinese laborers used to eat. I'd just eat this and at the same restaurant every day. It's so good.
•Alan Wong, chef/owner of Alan Wong's, Honolulu
Japan. Specifically, I'd go to Hakaido. I love it there. They actually have dairy there – milk and cheese – and it's really good. The seafood is abundant. The ingredients and cuisine are very inspiring to me. I'd spend a lot of time at an onsen relaxing and eating.
•Roy Yamaguchi, chef/owner of Roy's, multiple locations
Japan. I'd go to an onsen in Hakone, which is about an hour from Tokyo. I'd take a hot spring bath and then eat a meal based on all the fresh seasonal ingredients that are available.
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Asia, Europe, North America, India, Japan, Thailand, Spain, Peru, Nightlife
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gemma | Gap Daemon May 15th 2012 4:59AM
Sad to see nowhere in France has made the list so I would definitely pick Lyon - it has a huge selection of cafes, bistros & restaurants serving both the new & traditional cuisine.
Get Real May 20th 2012 5:14PM
The question itself is stupid, but especially when you consider that most high level chefs have very different tastes than the general public. They spend their entire lives tasting and contemplating food all day long, every day. The things that would excite the average person are generally not very exciting to a chef. Ask the average American what country they would go to eat in, and they'll say America. Of course they probably haven't been anywhere else.
Al Schrader May 20th 2012 5:56PM
I'm a high level chef. I like everything. I'm always experimenting. It's true on a daily basis I eat Proscuito De Parma, Norwegian Salmon, Shrimp, Bleu Cheese, etc. I've been working lately with yeast on the cellular level to create the "unbelievable" pizza....Alfred-
Mei Cook May 15th 2012 6:12PM
Have any of you had Portuguese Food ? if not, you should try. Portuguese Cuisine is the BEST in the world, they were the first Eupopians that discovered & brought oriental spices to Europe in 16th Century. They have the freshest sea food & spices from India, Africa, Asian in their dishes. I love Spanhish & Japones food too, but Portuguese food still cames on the TOP.
Fredric Ciner May 16th 2012 4:56PM
THAILAND!!! and friendly to boot, just go to ANY street vendor and eat the best fast food you ever had.
matt May 17th 2012 11:23AM
Have any of these "chefs" been to New Orleans? Eat there and you'll never want to leave. (unless there is a cat. 5 hurricane bearing down on you).
D.D. May 20th 2012 6:46PM
I think that it would be a good idea to ask ordinary world travellers what their opinions are on some of their favorite countries for food. I would love to go back to Chile and eat fresh Empanadas de Mariscos and Empanadas de Queso with their great Chilean salsa (Pebre). Sometimes the best dishes aren't at restaurants but in people's homes. If I could go back in time I would go to my friend's Portuguese grandmother's house in Hawaii and eat Vinha Dosh, Portuguese Sweet Bread and Malasadas and end it with fresh ripe mangos right off a tree. My own grandmother made the best Oxtail Soup right here in the U.S.A.
gary May 20th 2012 7:18PM
Guangzhou, China, the most incredible food I have ever had, and at incredible prices, and Im talking about practically any place you go to in that region.