The Professional Chef |

When you enjoy the vacation of your life in Orlando, Florida you may want to treat yourself and your family to a meal at some of the finer restaurants in the area. Here is a pick of some of my favorites.

California Grill

Located on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort this restaurant was voted Orlando’s Most Popular restaurant. Its renowned chef Clifford Pleau continually reinvents his “unique seasonal menus”, creating “divine” dishes paired with an “equally eloquent wine list”; add “impeccable” service and “spectacular” views of the park and its fireworks, and the result is truly great, even if it is accompanied by tourists wearing shorts and Mickey Mouse ears! Location: Disney World, Contemporary Hotel, $41

Christini’s

This restaurant has been called “a treasure among restaurants”, and is located in the in the Dr. Phillips area of South Orlando. It is well-known for lavish meals, complemented by a 450-label wine list. The food is served in a romantic setting with strolling musicians giving you the ambience of a night out in Italy. However, the feasting here does not come cheap and the prices are “high” even by “expense-account” standards. South Orlando 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd., $52

Hemingways

If you have always loved the mystique of Ernest Hemingway then this is the place to go. The Hemingway-at-Key-West decor (rods and reels, a stuffed marlin, nautical trinkets) at this Lake Buena Vista hotel seafood house makes you feel like you’ve spent the day fishing with Hemingway. Guests describe it as “a nice place to bring clients” or to celebrate “special occasions” and some of the favorite dishes include coconut shrimp and paella. Lake Buena Vista 1 Grand Cypress Blvd. $41

Morton’s of Chicago


If price is no object to a good meal then this steakhouse is the place for you. When was the last time you’ve had beef so tender and full of flavor that you have to remark after every bite? While the steakhouse is particularly close to the Central Florida theme parks, it is tucked away in the quaint Doctor Phillips Marketplace, a respite of sorts from nearby tourist hangouts. The clientele is made up of Orlando executives and Orlando business travelers. They are all here to drink martinis and sink their teeth into the juicy porterhouse, sirloin and Maine lobster. As for side dishes, don’t pass up the specialty, potatoes Lyonnaise. Location: 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. $60

Venetian Room

This is a fine-dining restaurant that prides itself on offering an elegant experience of the highest level. The chef de cuisine is Khalid Benghallem, a former sous chef at Emeril’s and the opening chef at Shula’s Steakhouse in the Dolphin Hotel. The menu is typical for an upscale restaurant in this category and includes foie gras, crab cake, lamb rack, veal chops and other dishes. However, it is the special preparation of these common items that makes this restaurant special. You will, however, have to pay for this unique treat. This is not a cheap restaurant and appetizers range from $14 to $17, and six of the seven entrees are more.than $30. Location: Caribe Royal Hotel 8101 World Center Drive

There you have it. If price is no object, and you just want to enjoy a fine meal at a great restaurant, then one of these Orlando restaurants will certainly satisfy you.

Kolkata is the third largest city located at the eastern part of India. It is the capital of West Benga. The city was founded in 1690 by a merchant trader named Job Charnock.

The multinational population of Kolkata savors different recipes and dishes with no exceptions. It is one of the metropolitan cities of India that houses many fine dining restaurants. These cater to all kinds of foods from vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes to soup, appetizers and sweet desserts.

Restaurants around Kolkata serve popular dishes of Punkjabi, North and South Indian, Mughlai and Chinese. Mexican and Thai food are also gaining popularity. Among the Indian specialty foods are lentils, bhat, fish curry, luchi and tarkari.

Here are among the fine dining restaurants around Kolkata.

Sourav’s Food Pavillion

Sourav’s is a multi cuisine restaurant located at the city’s Park Street. The restaurant was opened by Sourav Gangualy. It offers a wide array and mysterious cuisines and good seating capacity.

The four-storey multiplex restaurants were designed by architect Kapil Bhalla. It has a unique arrangement of four restaurants under one roof and was completed in just five months. The first restaurant is called One Day. It is a 24-hour coffee shop on the first floor with live bands every night.

Over Boundary Restaurant at the second floor, they serve cross-country cuisines. Third is Maharaj, a 70-seater restaurant that serves royal food from Kashmir, North India and Afghanistan. The last most authentic lounge is the Prince of Cal. It showcases a German-made cricket laced with glittering active light of 12,000,000 color combinations.

These four restaurants cater special events or private parties like anniversaries, cocktail dinners, marriage receptions, bachelor parties and the like. Guests may even request an exclusive area of your choice of cuisine from around the world. Added highlights include a dance with the DJ’s, great sounds and lightings. Two persons can avail a set of menu for only 1000 Rs.

Mainland China

Mainland China is a Chinese restaurant that provides world class cuisine at a reasonable price. It offers a unique fine dining experience with high standard services. The two restaurants in Kolkata are located at the 3rd floor of South City Mall and at the 3rd floor Silver Arcade.

Popular delicacies include Drunken Chicken in Shaoxiang wine, Sliced Lamb with cumin and onion and Sizzling Eggplant with spicy tomato garlic sauce. Also, Crispy Vegetable in Beijing style and Fish with Chinese parsley sauce is another favorite amongst the visitors.

Aaheli Restaurant

Aaheli Restaurant is located at the Peerless Inn in Jawaharlal Nehru Road. The name Aaheli comes from the Arabic word which means unadulterated. The restaurant serves traditional Bengali vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The ethnic ambiance of the place matches the bowls and plates as well as the walls with terracotta panels. Smoking and alcohol is not allowed inside the premises.

The Marble Room

Marble Room Restaurant is located at Kenilworth Best Western Hotel at Little Russell Street. The restaurant’s interior is designed with a touch of ancient colony. There are English-styled wood chairs, lit rooms and large mirrors.

Marble Room serves traditional North Indian cuisines. Specialties include the kebabs, bhuna gosht, biriyani and Mughlai cuisines. Popular desserts are gajar ka halwa and gulab jamun.
The restaurant has a seating capacity of 70 people that can host a royal party. A lunch or dinner for two can be availed at a maximum price of Rs400. Food is served from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Looking for a new set of dining room furniture? Maybe you have guests arriving regularly, and want to put the old set out to grass, and entertain in style with a formal dining room suite. What a pleasure to invite friends and neighbors over, especially at holiday times, and have them sit around a table capable of accommodating 14 diners. That’s possible of course, but for some of us, a more moderate suite is sufficient for our needs. Let’s look at some of the things we have to consider when shopping for our dining table and chairs:

Capacity

As mentioned above, we could be looking for something that can sit up to 14 or 16 people, but on the other hand, if our culinary soirées don’t run to that many, then maybe a modest 4 – 6 seater is all we’re looking for. No point in over-extending ourselves when the smaller version is sufficient.

Size

By size, I mean how does it fit into the dining room area. When considering dining tables and chairs seating for 14 is okay, as long as there’s space left in the room to walk around the furniture. The size of the table therefore, needs to be compatible with the dining space available.

Style

This category can say a lot about you and your home. Traditional dining tables and chairs based on something Chippendale might have designed may suit your particular style. But if you have a more conventional taste for furniture, you will be looking for something without all the curves and swirls.

Finish

Most fine dining tables and chairs will be made of a hard wood like mahogany or oak, and finished with a lovely rich varnish and wax. It is well to consider this part of your purchase as one of the most important. A well-finished item of furniture will give years of good service, especially if it is maintained regularly. But a cheaper variety, no matter how well it is looked after, will begin to deteriorate over time. The best value for the money therefore, is to invest at the time of purchase, in dining room tables and chairs that have a rich, solid finish.

Maintenance of these articles only requires waxing and polishing, but must be done regularly to prevent drying, cracking and flaking. It is also well to consider how you intend to protect this furniture from minor, if not major, bumps and scrapes. A suitable heavy-duty cover would be the answer, and would provide peace of mind when the grandchildren come to visit.

The alternative to a fine finish could be glass of course, and there are many fine dining tables and chairs sets that are glass-topped. They look elegant, and very useable, even for that candlelit dinner with special friends.

Quality

One of the most important ingredients in determining which item to buy is always the quality. As mentioned above, if we’re really looking for fine dining tables and chairs sets, then we need to consider how much we are prepared to invest. Quality rarely comes cheap, but it does offer a lifetime of service and enjoyment in our purchase. If you’re more interested in quality over quantity, seek out a fine set of table and chairs from your local specialist furniture supplier. Ask for their advice, and if they are merchants of repute, they’ll be able to help.

There is nowhere in the world quite like Paris, France. Many often refer to Paris as the love capital of the world, and how true this is when it comes to not only their relationships, but in their love of food.

So where do you start? When coming to Paris, the first thing to do would be to try their Fine Dining. Lasserre, located on 17, avenue Franklin Roosevelt, is famous for just this. Dine is this restaurant and feel like pure royalty, with its beautifully restored décor, impeccable service and fine food that takes you back to the feeling of Paris in the old day. What its most famous for, apart from splendid food, would be its retractable ceiling that reveals the night sky right above you as you dine and indulge. A little on the high end, but worth every penny to have an experience dining under the stars in class.

L’Ambroisie would be another restaurant to experience the art of the French Cuisine. Located on 9, place des Vosges, this beautiful restaurant boasts one of the highest ratings ever, with its excellent service, beautiful interior, candlelight dining and mouth watering food. Another restaurant on the pricy side but with each dish almost close to near perfection and a fantastic wine list, it’s sure to be something you won’t regret.

Another restaurant well known for its fine dining would be the La Tour D’Argent. Giving diners a breathtaking view of Notre dame and the Seine, the La Tour D’Argent, located 15, quai de la Tournelle is almost 400 years old. Almost like a landmark to some, this fine restaurant specialty, pressed duckling, draws more people in than ever.

Not all of the best restaurants in Paris are expensive though. For the same delicious French cuisine on a light yet authentic note, try Lapérouse. Located on 51,quai des Grands-Augustins, the food here as described by many is like an explosion of flavors that will leave you wanting more even when you get full. With its warm cozy setting, excellent wine list and ever friendly staff, this place seems like the perfect French restaurant by the corner that we all see in the movies.

The best restaurants in Paris not only serve the best food, they offer you an experience of a lifetime, a trip back in time and a slice of heaven all in one visit, something not many places can replicate even till today.

Whenever you are about to sit down for a fine Italian meal, one of the first things that you will be greeted with is fine Italian salad. These salads can consist of many different ingredients, and they are there to set the stage and tone of the fine dining experience. You will find these salads on their own during the early afternoon in a café, or even in a backyard picnic with friends and family. Wherever you find these salads, you can be sure that they will contain some of the most robust and fresh ingredients that Mother Nature has to offer today.

Hot Or Cold, It Is Still A Salad

There are many forms of fine Italian salads available for you pleasures today, some of which are hot and some are cold. Whichever the salad you are enjoying tonight is usually determined by the type of meal you are having or what you are going to eat throughout the meal. This means that if you are eating later in the afternoon and you are eating poultry or fish dishes, you can expect that you will be served a warm pasta salad or salad consisting of perhaps tuna or salmon. When you are enjoying a fine poultry dish, the options are just as diverse and expansive when it comes to the salad being offered. With simple yet delicious ingredients, any salad that you are going to be offered with a fine multi course dinner is something that actually should be appreciated not ignored.

The Fine Details

When it comes to delightful Italian salads, you will see some wonderful ingredients such as black olives and feta cheese. These are great ingredients that will help bring the most out of a wonderful meal. There are many restaurants that will deal exclusively with salads as a form of light meal during the early parts of a day, not only within the streets of Italy but many places within the United States as well. Salad is a wonderful way to break up a meal as it not only offers you something to nibble on without getting full, it allows you to experience various tastes that can set the tone for the meal itself. There are various forms of every salad that you will or can expect for someone to offer at a meal. Whether someone chooses to go a traditional route with iceberg lettuce, or they want something a little zippier with romaine and spinach you can bet that this will be a wonderful way to nibble your way to a great main course.

Great With Seafood

When you are thinking about fine Italian salads as a course for your large meal with family and friends, you might want to consider seafood as an addition to this salad. Shrimp seems to be a big attraction for a salad, and when you serve shrimp salad as a side or small course within the meal you will usually receive praise for it.

Many people get stuck in a rut and find themselves eating in the same restaurant over and over again. Others have a few restaurants that they go to for their various cravings, but seldom look beyond these few choices. Los Angeles is one of the few places in the country where you can literally find every type of food that you could imagine. It is time to consider some other fine dining choices and broaden your horizons a little bit.

A quick look at the restaurants in the Los Angeles area will give you an idea of how many different types of restaurants that are available to you right in your own backyard. There are enough restaurants in the Los Angeles area that you could literally visit a new place every week for a very long time. This is a fun way to try new foods and discover other fine dining experiences in your own area.

To get started, make a list of the other fine dining restaurants in your area that you have not tried. You can separate them by the type of cuisine that is served, or you can just keep your list random. It might be more fun to keep the list random and just try the new type of food when it comes up on your list.

You should also do a little research when you are planning a night at a restaurant that is serving food that you have never eaten before. Many restaurants have their menu online so you can get a peek at some of the choices that you will have. It’s a good idea to make a rough decision on what you will be ordering if you are unfamiliar with the particular type of food. Ask your friends and family if they have tried the particular cuisine that you will be ordering and if they have any recommendations for you. Some foods can have a variety of dishes that include spicy foods. If you don’t enjoy spicy foods, you will want to know in advance which foods to order so that you can enjoy your meal.

Recommendations from friends are another good way to find other fine dining restaurants that you have not tried before. Everyone has their favorite places to dine and you can learn a lot about the restaurants around you by asking others which they enjoy.

Online reviews are another place to find restaurants that you are unfamiliar with in your local area. Keep in mind that there will be both negative reviews and positive ones on most restaurant review sites. The key to finding a restaurant using these sites is to look for the ones that have more good than bad. You might also consider the points that are made in a negative review to determine what your experience might be in the restaurant. Every place can have an off night or the reviewer might be difficult to please. Just use common sense when reading these types of reviews. This is a great way to find some other fine dining restaurants in your local Los Angeles area to try out and enjoy.

When it comes to eating out in Canada, you don’t feel the “obligation” to try their national dishes or their local food as you would in other countries. But I guess that’s the beauty of Canada, you don’t get people telling you what to eat and what’s a must try for dishes; you can go off on your own little hunt. They do have some popular cuisines there though, such as Italian, Chinese and Greek cuisines. And though most of the food isn’t native to Canada, they do it in their own style, and there are certain places not to be missed on your trip here.

For starters, head for Pangaea Restaurant located on 1221 Bay Street, Toronto. Established in 1996, this beautiful restaurant with its high ceilings and wooden floors bring a sense of simplicity to the table, giving you an upscale fine-dining yet casual experience. Wild mushroom risotto and grilled calamari with beurre noisette are the signature dishes of the house, but leave a little room for desert as its known to be the best in town too.

For those who’re hungry and in the mood for some huge portions, head for JW’s Steakhouse located on 525 Bay Street, Toronto. With their featured 16-oz bone-in fillet and probably the biggest shrimp cocktail ever, you’d definitely be filling full after your visit to this traditional steakhouse. Have a scotch to round up your perfect dining experience in this intimate little restaurant that exudes nothing but warmth and friendliness.

If you haven’t already been to Toronto’s world famous CN tower, this would be a perfect chance where you can mix both a panoramic 360 rotating view together with your dining experience. Located right at the top, Restaurant 360 is the world’s highest restaurant which offers unparalleled views, fine food and a selection of over 550 different kinds of wines from its very own wine cellar in the sky. For such a fancy restaurant, a real plus point is that everything’s affordable (not counting your sudden urge to go for thousand dollar wines).

While most parts of the city wind down, the Greek area of Danforth is just warming up; and one excellent place to check out would be Christina’s on 492 Danforth Ave. Known as the “landmark” of Toronto’s Greek Town, this place offers authentic Greek and Mediterranean dishes such as made to order Souvlaki dinners, Mousaka and the chefs very own Kotopoulo Yemisto; stuffed chicken breast with spinach, onions, cheese and peppers. This place is more of a dinner and dance where you get the occasional belly dancer and the everyday live Greek band, giving you both a culinary and cultural experience you’d never forget.

Do you plan to move in the near future? Are you interested in relocating to somewhere where there’s fine dining all around? Why not give Sheffield a try-it’s home to some of the best restaurants you’ll find in the UK. Let’s look at why choosing a Sheffield house to let means access to some mighty fine dining.

One restaurant that you may find appealing is Rafters Restaurant, located in Hangingwater in southwest Sheffield. Rafters is a popular dining establishment which exudes a beautiful, rustic atmosphere, thanks in part to the exposed beams and brick walls in this establishment. Diners are treated to a first rate, three course menu, complete with duck, pressed salmon, and even roast pineapple tart. Drinks on hand include fine liqueurs and brandies.

Perhaps you want to find property for sale in the area that has access to great Italian food. If this is the case, the property you want would be near an establishment such as La Luna, in Banner Cross on Ecclesall Road. La Luna features a knowledgeable staff in an ambient setting that allows patrons to fully enjoy a dining experience for whatever occasion, even if they’re just having a regular night out. Food choices include gamberoni prawns, followed up by grilled beef fillet with dolce latte cheese, among other items. Desserts such as tiramisu add a nice finish to your meal.

If you find yourself in the mood for Vietnamese cuisine you might try Pho 68, which is on London Road. This restaurant brings together people of many walks of life, from students to professional people. The food options (you can witness your food being prepared) are numerous, and include steaks, as well as hot and sour soup. Chopsticks are provided if you wish to use them. You may also choose from many vegetarian options on the menu.

Silversmiths Restaurant & Bar provides plenty of options on the menu and a warm, inviting atmosphere for all its patrons. It is located in the city centre inside the Cultural Quarter. The menu centres around freshly prepared meals that are made to order. You’ll find local meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and tasty desserts inside.

With so many quality restaurants in Sheffield, it’s no wonder you should consider moving into a Sheffield house to let. For more information on these and other attractions, contact a Sheffield property agent for all your property needs.

American food is truly a blend of cuisines from all over the world. From street side food to delis to fine dining establishments, the cuisine of America has a lot to offer.

American cuisine is a rich blend of food styles from around the world. With foods from Italian and French to African to Mexican to Asian combining with traditional English dishes, American cuisine has a lot to offer to tantalize your taste buds.

America also has culinary hot spots, where cuisine and the culinary arts are appreciated and reverently admired and administered. Connoisseurs of these culinary arts and their expert opinions have given rise to a number of award winning restaurants, shows and competitions. And behind the scenes, running these restaurants and shows, are a number of celebrity Chefs. It is in these culinary hot spots that fine dining has taken on the persona of an art form.

In California, the local cuisine is a blend of fresh spices and fruit bringing together a number of cooking styles and ingredients. All of these combine well with the traditional foods of California – giving birth to a lot of culinary schools and celebrity chefs. And of course, one has to know that California is the birthplace of several fast food chains like McDonald’s which are globally recognized brand icons. San Francisco and Los Angeles also incorporate the Mexican influence on the food scenario, with its ‘Baja Style’. Rich tasting, hot and spicy foods, grilled and barbecued foods (be it meat, poultry or sea food) – all of these have given rise to a number of fine dining establishments, which are considered to be amongst the hottest places to eat in America.

In Florida, we can see the blend of Spanish and Southern cuisines that have created a unique and diverse range of foods for savoring. A variety of peppers that grow natively are used to flavor the sauces. Fresh fruit, sea food and locally grown ginger are common ingredients of several recipes native to Florida. And of course, the food tastes evolve with the introduction of different cultures into the already existing exotic mix. Florida offers a range of foods for the discerning eater – from Cuban to Vietnamese, Florida has several dishes on the menu, also making it one of the hottest places to eat in America.

No other place sees diversity in cultures and tastes like New York City! A true combination of cultures from over the globe – with specialty restaurants offering exquisitely original foods from even the remotest places of the world – New York City has something to offer for everybody. And yet the city also lays claim to so many ‘original’ dishes like Waldorf Salad, Pasta Primavera, Reuben Sandwich and the Ice Cream Cone. New York City is also famous for its mouthwatering street side foods like Hot Dogs and Pizzas. New York City offers a diverse and rich dining experience from street side food carts, and small, cozy delis to fine, up-scale restaurants – also making it one of the hottest places to eat in America.

Truly, one of the best ways to experience America is via the foods of and tastes offered by its globally encompassing and ethnically diverse cuisines – making America one of the hottest places to eat!

For many people, myself included, dining at an upscale restaurant is something reserved for special occasions or celebrations: anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine’s Day, or even a wedding proposal. As such, we may find ourselves a bit rusty on proper dining etiquette. The following tips will help you ensure your fine dining plans go smoothly.

Reservations

Many fine dining establishments, if not most, require a reservation. How far in advance largely depends on the popularity of the restaurant and the time of year you will be going. Do not wait until two days before Valentine’s Day to reserve a spot for you and your sweetheart at the city’s finest restaurant. Fine dining establishments in some larger cities like New York, may be booked weeks–even months in advance. When it comes to upscale dining, planning is key.

Dress Code

While making your reservation, be sure to ask if the restaurant has a dress code. Some restaurants still require gentlemen to wear sports jackets and/or ties. With the frequent changes in fashion, however, even some of the most upscale restaurants have relaxed their dress codes.

Napkins

Upon arrival and once seated, it is customary to place your napkin in your lap. If your napkin is a large one, you can fold it in half as you lay it across your lap. When excusing yourself from the table for a moment and once the meal is over, simply fold your napkin loosely and place it either to the left or right of your plate.

Utensils and Place Settings

Don’t let the silverware and drinking glass arsenal intimidate you. Most fine dining establishments serve more than one course. The selection can vary by restaurant, but typically you can expect to see something like soup, bread, salad, your main entree, and a dessert. This assortment of food requires more silverware, plates, and glasses than your typical casual dining setting.

In general, where silverware is concerned, you will work from the outside inward as each new course is brought to the table. As you finish each course, leave the silverware neatly on your dish. Used silverware should never be laid back on the tablecloth. Your wait staff will remove your utensil and serving dish when you finish that course.

Other Pointers

Pass food from the left to the right.If someone asks you to pass salt or pepper, pass them both together and place them on the table within reach of the person. Do not pass them hand-to-hand.Butters and dips should be transferred from the serving dish to your own plate before you spread them onto your food.Bread should not be cut with a knife; it should be broken instead.When eating soup, dip the soupspoon into the bowl at the edge closest to you and move it away from you into the center. To avoid spilling the soup in your spoon, fill it only 2/3 full. Sip from the edge of your spoon. Don’t slurp. When finishing the soup you may tip the bowl slightly away from you to scoop up the remainder.When cutting meat or fish, only cut two bites at a time.If eating something difficult to pierce, like peas, you can use a piece of bread or your knife to help push the items onto your fork, but do not use your fingers.

By planning ahead, following good manners, and keeping the above pointers in mind, you will enjoy a more relaxed and memorable fine dining experience.