Latest news with #fine dining
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
La Bastide: A Taste Of Provence, One Hour From New York City
View of the dining room from the patio at La Bastide, North Salem, New York La Bastide/ In less than a year, La Bastide by Andrea Calstier, a fine dining experience in North Salem, New York, earned a Michelin star. Such early recognition, like this, is uncommon but not surprising to those who have dined at this bespoke, six-table restaurant in northern Westchester. Chef Andrea Calstier and General Manager Elena Oliver, a husband-wife team, own the restaurant and its sister property, Cenadou Bistrot. Two perfectionists, the couple has brought their abundant talents, creativity, love of Provencal cooking, and moxie to America. North Salem (Westchester County), incorporated as a town in 1788, is only about one hour from Manhattan. But its tree-lined two-lane roads and rolling hills, punctuated by lakes, rivers and reservoirs, offer the vibe of a place much farther away from the bustling city. Soon after arriving at La Bastide, guests are led to a comfortable seating area on a stone patio outside the glass door of the dining room. The pairing of aperitifs and canapés, accompanied by views of the bucolic countryside and herb garden in the backyard, feels transportative. The intimate dining room is as picture-perfect as the outdoors. Well-spaced, round tables accommodate parties of no more than six persons each, so the room never feels crowded. 'This is a very personal space where we spend much of our time,' says Elena. 'We want our guests to feel like we are welcoming them to our home.' Careful thought has gone into the design and decor. An open kitchen on one side of the room allows guests to watch the careful final plating of each dish, while the other side features a striking, contemporary wine wall. 'The open kitchen offers an air of transparency and allows us to feel connected to our diners,' says Calstier. The chairs and tablecloths are made of fine Italian leather. The tableware includes custom ceramics by Esther Kwon and knives from blacksmith Coutellerie du Panier, from the couple's hometown in Marseille. Also featured are porcelains from Studio Matte, Belgium, and French Limoges from Jacque Pergay. The Journey From France To North Salem Elena Oliver and Chef Andrea Calstier La Bastide Chef Calstier has a noble culinary lineage. He began cooking at age 15 and trained in some of France's most esteemed Michelin-starred kitchens, including Christophe Bacquie's La Table du Castellet in Provence and L'Abbaye de la Bussiere in Burgundy. In 2017, the young chef seized an opportunity to work in the kitchen of celebrated Chef Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel in New York City. Elena, his soulmate since high school, joined him on this foray. The chef describes the year he spent working at Daniel's as becoming 'part of a family." There, he not only honed his culinary skills but built his confidence and developed connections. It also gave him the opportunity to learn English from the brigade in the kitchen. Within a year, the couple signed a lease for a very tiny dining space and opened their own French bistro, Papilles, in the East Village. The fearless chef was only 23 then. In that small space, Elena was able to elevate her management skills, and the restaurant achieved immediate success. 'It taught us how to become proper restaurant owners,' he says. 'Learning how to hire, inspire, attract, and mentor staff is what sets chefs apart from cooks.' When a partner of Chef Boulud introduced the couple to the North Salem property, they were smitten by the area and knew it offered more possibilities than they could possibly achieve in New York City. 'The region resonated with us because it would more fully allow us to express ourselves,' says Calstier. La Bastide: Impeccable Cuisine and Service Hors d'oeuvres at La Bastide, North Salem, NY La Bastide/ After a year and a half of renovation, La Bastide opened its doors in February 2024. Although it was difficult to fill the dining room at first, perseverance, consistency and staying true to their vision helped them achieve the Michelin star that 'put the restaurant on the map.' The chef's training in classical French cooking enabled him to set aside his ego. But it allows him to innovate and create dishes that showcase the foods rather than the technique. 'We think about the customer experience at every stage of the meal,' he says. While the cuisine at La Bastide pays homage to the couple's roots in Provence, the menu is seasonal, sometimes even microseasonal, capitalizing on the rich bounty the Hudson Valley offers. The chef adapts classic Provencal recipes, including those his grandmother used to prepare, and is inspired by meeting with local farmers in the area to see what they are cultivating. 'The menu is 80% seafood, even if it is only to complement a vegetable dish, because there is so much amazing seafood on the East Coast from Maine to Long Island to New Jersey,' he says. 'In terms of high-quality products, we've never felt limited by the supply.' Currently, the restaurant offers tasting menus at two seatings, 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Diners have the option of an additional cheese course and/or wine pairing. Sommelier David Berube, who also worked for Chef Boulud, has curated a Wine Spectator award-winning list of 600 French regional wines for the restaurant. Service is seamless, thanks to a well-trained, attentive, and knowledgeable team. From the amuse-bouche to the appetizers, and from the moment the waitstaff lifts the silver domes from the entrées in unison, every dish offers a profusion of delightful flavors presented with artistry and flair. Fabulous desserts (like the popular chocolate with goat cheese) provide the proverbial icing on the cake, leaving sweet memories of an excellent meal. Cenadou Bistrot: More Casual, But Also Not To Be Missed Welcoming bar at Cenadou The more casual, 50-seat Cenadou Bistrot is co-located in the same building as La Bastide, one floor above the fine dining restaurant. Like its sibling, its menu reflects a fusion of delectable influences from Provence and the Hudson Valley. Diners can choose from hors d'oeuvres, charcuterie, mains like Steak Frites, cheeses, and more. The room also offers views of the surrounding landscape and features a welcoming bar (with a limited bar menu). The Bistrot first opened in June 2023. Extremely popular with locals, it has even received glowing accolades from Martha Stewart, who held a holiday party there for her staff. This dining room can stand on its own excellence and only pales when compared to the elegance of La Bastide. La Bastide: A Bastion Of True Hospitality La Bastide is a truly unique restaurant, perfect for a special occasion or for making any occasion special. Many guests choose to enjoy a special dinner at the restaurant and return the following day for a more casual lunch at Cenadou. Elena is always pleased to provide recommendations for nearby boutique hotels and small inns. She aptly describes the destination as 'a perfect getaway that offers the feel of being somewhere in France.' After a visit, the most lasting impression of La Bastide, beyond the exceptional food and ambiance, is the genuine warmth, hospitality, and dedication of the owners. 'If you believe in what you want to do, you don't have to compromise,' says Chef Calstier. IF YOU GO La Bastide By Andrea Calstier 721 Titicus Road, North Salem, New York, (914) 485-1519
Mail & Guardian
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Redefining fine dining with Naan Sense's immersive edible orchestra
This August, South Africa's fine dining scene is about to become surreal. Naan Sense is an orchestra on your palate. An exclusive, multi-sensory experience where Durban Indian cuisine is reimagined through luxury fine dining and molecular gastronomy, delivering a truly immersive culinary event. Explore our seven exotic acts through interactive courses paired with a synchronised live orchestra and complemented by artisanal beverages. Guests are invited to journey into immersive dining worlds: The Jungle Garden, a thoughtfully curated vegetarian experience, or The Beach Front, featuring seafood. We're breaking the rules and deconstructing complex flavours. Before either journey, guests can enjoy Silk Hour, a sensorial prelude that perfectly sets the tone for the extraordinary performance ahead. Expect to experience one course blind folded and in pure silence. Expect a nostalgic fever dream. Expect to never want to leave. The premiere of this extraordinary experience takes place on 16 August 2025 at Shepstone Gardens, Johannesburg. This isn't fine dining. It's edible performance art. Request your seat at
CBS News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Ohio eatery named one of the best hotel restaurants in America by OpenTable
An eatery in Ohio was named one of the 100 best hotel restaurants in America for 2025. OpenTable recently released its "Top Hotel Restaurants for 2025" list, and Il Venetian in Cleveland was named on the list by the online restaurant reservation platform. The "upscale, modern Italian restaurant" features handmade pastas, fresh fish and seafood, fine meats, and artisan pastries and gelato, according to OpenTable. Some of the dinner menu highlights include grilled octopus, grilled long bone veal chop, wagyu carpaccio and blueberry risotto. The restaurant also features artwork, chandeliers, sculptures and glasswork imported from Venice and other Italian cities. "Above all, we offer a commitment to make food with love and care like they do in Italy," Il Venetian says on its website. The restaurant on East St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland was the only restaurant in Ohio to make OpenTable's list. No Pittsburgh-area restaurants were selected this year. Il Venetian is open Monday through Friday for lunch and Monday through Saturday for dinner. It has a 4.8-star rating on OpenTable with 1,074 reviews. OpenTable said it found the best hotel restaurants in America for 2025 with the help of Kayak, a travel services website. The list was determined after reviewing more than 10,000,000 reviews from verified OpenTable diners and "dining metrics" from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. The metrics, OpenTable said, included the percentage of five-star reviews and diner ratings. "Trust us when we say these restaurants are worth the trip," OpenTable said of its list. Earlier this year, OpenTable released its "2025's Top 100 Brunch Restaurants" list, and Pier W in Cleveland was selected.
Arabian Business
a day ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia elevates fine dining in the country with new regulations
Saudi Arabia is elevating the fine dining experience in the Kingdom following the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing's issuance of new regulations for these establishments, the Saudi Gazette reported. Apart from a dress code policy in these high-end restaurants, the owner must provide his guests a full table service experience, including escorting them from the entrance to their table and offering valet parking. Coat hangers and a bag holding area need to be provided. It also prohibits the presence of visible cashier counters. Saudi sets fine dining protocols No drive-thru services will be available at fine dining establishments and they must implement a digital reservation system, maintain a complaint submission channel, and provide visible beverage preparation stations. The ministry emphasised that the overall 'experience' is central to luxury dining and cannot be delivered through fast-service or exterior windows. Menus will need to feature at least three main categories – appetizers, main courses, and desserts – and will not be allowed to feature less than five items in total. A concealed area, not visible to restaurant guests, will have to be allocated for pickup orders from delivery apps. The regulations also limit restaurant chains to just one branch per city to preserve exclusivity and brand distinction. All fine dining establishments will need to register their brand trademarks with the relevant authorities to ensure the legal protection of their visual identity and enhance both local and global recognition. Additional mandatory standards include employing a certified food health and safety specialist. The new regulations are part of efforts to attract investment and enhance the business environment in the hospitality sector.
Arab News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Le Sushi Bar offers hope in the heart of Beirut as Japanese chef hosts residency
BEIRUT: 'For a restaurant to last 28 years in Lebanon — it's heroic,' chef Mario Haddad told Arab News recently as he reflected on the industry in a city and country facing several challenges. For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram @ Haddad believes he is among those redefining the fine dining scene, as Beirut undergoes a nascent revival. His restaurant, Le Sushi Bar, stands like a sleek, elegant trophy in the heart of downtown. A post shared by (@lebtivity) With the arrival of decorated Japanese chef-in-residence Sayaka Sawaguchi this summer, he believes the restaurant is helping to place Lebanon's fine dining back on the global stage. 'We decided to have a chef-in-residence because we wanted to celebrate Lebanon coming back to life,' Haddad declared. For Sawaguchi, integrating into Lebanon — a country shaped by resilience and a distinct warmth — came naturally. She spent weeks before the residence — between July 9 and 27 — traveling across the country, immersing herself in the intricacies of the country. 'Lebanon taught me the beautiful balance of spices, herbs, and olive oil — just like how Lebanese people live their life every day,' Sawaguchi said. Despite coming from vastly different worlds, Haddad and Sawaguchi found common ground in their passion for food. 'She fits in like a glove ... It's not easy not having your tools, your kitchen, your ingredients — but her attitude was spot on,' Haddad said. 'The art of feeding each other is definitely our shared passion,' Sawaguchi added. Haddad has an eye for detail, which appears to be a key element of his restaurant's success. Watching him in his element — surveying each dish as it reaches the table, greeting every guest like family, and taking joy in their delight — it becomes clear why Le Sushi Bar has endured through the storm.
