Paris by Fred Sirieix
I love Paris in the summer. The Parisians come out in August, but I think it will be an empty city. I discovered Chez Georges (1 rue du Mail) a few years ago and I think it’s my favourite best places. She does my favorite traditional foods, like sweet bread and fries, with a nice burgundy. Chez Monsieur (11 rue du Chevalier St-Georges) has more modern decor and a little more refined food. Back to Vale Blanchette. Le Bon Georges (45 rue Saint-Georges) offers great outdoor activities and food. Choose between celery remoulade or oysters, then grab a coffee in front of Café de Flore (172 boulevard Saint-Germain), where all the intellectuals go. It’s nice to see people.
At Restaurant Kei (5 rue Coq Héron), Kei Kobashi’s cuisine is unique, rooted in Japanese tradition, but influenced by French techniques and recipes. The food was delicious, the music and breakfast delightful. Pastry chef Cyril Legnac (9 rue Bayen) is innovative in style but knows how to make good croissants and pain au chocolat.
Riha Durum (1 rue des Petits Carreaux) serves Kurdish pancake-like sandwiches stuffed with spicy lamb and salad, while French on the Go (9 rue du Nil) serves hot dogs and burgers. Río de Nil is full of food shops, including fishmongers, butchers and grocers. Everything you have is beautifully made by people who care about them.
Foodies should head to Rungis International Market (1 rue de la Tour, Rungis) on the outskirts of Paris. Very large and mostly wholesalers. And there are restaurants where office workers and people like me can go at 4 in the morning and watch life there.
Seville by José Pizarro
I like to get out on the streets and get lost and go to bars and pubs.
You’ll eat the jamon they made for you and you’ll eat it with the sherry – you’ll be in heaven. At Bodeguita Romero (Calle Harinas 10), the papas alinas (boiled potatoes with olive oil, sherry vinegar, onion and red pepper) and oxtail are must-tries. Casa Morales (Calle García de Vinuesa 11) is another fabulous sit-down bar for cana (a pint of beer), tapas and charcuterie. Las Columnas (Alameda de Hércules 19) is old but great for a glass of wine and tortillas. Casa Moreno (Calle Gamazo 7) has great canned goods and the best encurtido (pickles).
There are pickled sardines. Eslava Restaurant (Calle Eslava 3) is a little more modern and a little more special. The little clams are beautiful. Adobo, a traditional local dish of marinated and fried fish, is delicious at Bodeguita Blanco Cerrillo (Calle Jose de Velilla 1).
Around the cathedral (Avenida de la Constancia) is a convent where nuns make traditional sweets. You have to climb the cathedral tower, the Giralda Tower, to see the city, and the cathedral is nice and cool, so it’s a best places to come in the summer. Next to La Giralda, Hotel EME (Calle Alemanes 27) is a great spot for a rooftop gin and tonic evening.
Andalusia is a magical region. I always wanted a home here, a place where I could get away from everything. And now there is the Iris Zahara (Zahara de Los Atunes), a five-room hotel. We do culinary experiences with our guests – we go to Seville, Jerez, the market and eat together. I see the sea, have fun and relax. I really like it here.
Copenhagen by Rosio Sanchez
Apotek 57 (Fredericiagade 57) is a lively cafe where I often have breakfast. Chef Chiara creates all the pastries and unique seasonal dishes.
There are many good bakeries in town, but Hart (Gammel Kongevej 10; Galionsvej 41) is known for its bread and Juno (Århusgade 48) for its pastries. Coffee Collective has stores all over the city, but my favorite is the old phone booth near Nørreport station (Nørre Voldgade 70F).
Poulette (Møllegade 1) specializes in fried chicken in Nørrebro and is linked to the natural wine bar Pompette. It makes two sandwiches. One is fried chicken, mayonnaise, and pickles, and the other is fried mapo tofu. Go for lunch or just dinner if you have a drink next door. Tiger Mom (Ricegarde 25), run by former chef Riley Lisa Rowe, serves a variety of Asian dishes, especially in Denmark, where savory food can be hard to find, with a savory chili a menu. Esmée (Kongens Nytorv 8) is a French restaurant that serves great seafood and is a great place for lunch.
Dairy products are exceptional in Denmark and my favorite ice creams are the rather experimental Østerberg (Rosenvængets Allé 7C; Tullinsgade 25) and Siciliansk between Refshaleøen and Nørrebro in summer, selling high quality products from small suppliers.
One of my favorite bars is the Barking Dog (Sankt Hans Gade 19). Owner Karl knows a lot about mezcal. I also love the Duck and Cover (Dannebrogsgade 6), a little place in Vesterbro that serves some really interesting drinks.
Galway and surrounding area by Jess Murphy
Rúibín (1 Dock Rd) is the new cult bar restaurant. Chef Alice Jarry has traveled extensively, so it’s a true concoction of the dish. The food at Christine Walsh in Éan Wine Bar (Druid Ln) is fantastic and the space is really cozy. The Bierhaus (2 Henry St.) is my favorite place on earth. Cocktails are out of this world and you don’t know a better beer selection anywhere.
The Bird House (39 Dominique St. Loire) behind the Carroll Pub serves excellent chicken wings. Sheridans (14 Churchyard St) is a great cheese shop with a great bar upstairs. Go for an Irish cheese plate and a few glasses of Prosecco. Callie (133 Upper Salthill Rd) has coffee roasted by local calendar superheroes in her little shop in Salthill, and they are wonderful people.
Lignum (Bullaun), 40 minutes from Galway, holds some of Ireland’s best culinary secrets. Chef Danny African is Irish-Italian and combines both cultures in a delicious way. Fadó Pizza (Killymongaun), on the outskirts of Clifden, is a lovely pizza cafe on an organic farm serving toppings. Everyone I sent there loved it. Julia’s Lobster Truck is the best. He prepares half lobster, langoustines, oysters, and a nice fried beef tenderloin. Follow her on Instagram and she will let you know where she is.
Sullivan’s Country Grocer (Main Street) is a great one-stop shop for groceries in Oughterard. She sells cold cuts, fruits and vegetables, tablecloths, and her Portuguese Cream Pie is amazing. From Inishbofin Island, head to Inishwallah (Fawnmore) for mackerel samosas, spicy pollock broth and pork dishes served on a red London bus.
