For those of you who find themselves looking for a great meal in one of the beautiful cities of Europe, I have tried to leave a short summary of what’s HOT and what’s NOT so hopefully you find the beauty before the blemish.

Paris, France

Les Pieds dans le plat

location: 36 Boulevard Garibaldi, 75015 Paris
Tel: +33.1.47.34.20.86
Rating: 9/10
Cost: 25€/person
Comment:
Not really sure of the name but this place definitely hits the spot for authentic French cuisine (Something about putting the feet on the table or speaking frankly about an embarrassing topic). The ‘pig bones’ (forgot the name in French) is a must for your starter and the honey glazed steak is a fantastic second.

Chez Janou Bistrot

location: 2, rue roger verlomme, 75003 Paris
Tel: +33.14.27.22841
Rating: 8/10
Cost: 35€/person
Comment:
Definitely a favorite in my group of friends in Paris as it accepts reservations and consistently has above average quality French food. The muscles and steak combination is my favorite complimented with either the creme brulee or homemade chocolate mousse which they bring out in a giant whipping bowl to fill up with as much as you can squeeze in.

Le Pain Quotidien

location: 18 Place Marché St Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
Tel: +33 09 62 55 56 51
Rating: 8/10
Cost: 22€/person
Comment:
This is a favorite amongst the locals for a Sunday brunch… Huge portions and wonderfully organic meals. They even have a white chocolate spread for the homemade bread, and plenty of organic juices… I recommend asking for the Pear Juice which is not on the menu. I do have one disclaimer: The service is French. Expect a long wait to be seated and you will have to flag down a waiter to ask for the much over due check. This is by design, the line is long to generate interest and desire to eat there, although the tables are never 100% full. Once you are comfortable with that fact of waiting and you have no deadlines, the amazing food will delight you.

Le Loir Dans La Theiere

location: 3 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France
Tel: +33 01 42 72 90 61
Rating:
Cost:
Comment: (Found this place one day walking around Paris and it looked tasty… still need to try it)

Berkshire, England

The Nawab

location: 18 Cheap Street, Newbury (Berks. RG14 5DD)
Tel: +44.01.635.550875
Rating: 9/10
Cost: 20£/person
Comment:
For being so far from India, this place rocks! Apparently the name comes from the Muslim nobles so expecting anything less than excellence is unheard of. From the spicy sauce glazes cooked in a clay oven to the hint of coconut flavor in the curry, I would highly recommend it.

Milan, Italy

Trattoria Bolognese da Mauro

Location: Via Lombardini, 14
Tel: +39…8372866
Cost: 18 €/person
Rating: 8.5/10
Comments:
Mauro’s restaurant definitely fits the mold for a typical Bolognese style restaurant. Only 20 covers makes a reservation a must, and the special ‘Gnocco di Fritta’ is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. As for the main course, I definitely recommend the Tris Pasta where they hand make three different types of pasta (let the chef decide on the types). If you’re crazing pasta, then this will tickle your fancy.

La Griglia Sul Fuoco

Location: Via Lomellina 26, 20090 Buccinasco
Tel: +39.02.4882817 (call for reservations)
Cost: 40 €/person
Rating: 9/10
Comments:
Simply amazing steaks. Il suo cuore al timo fresco will definitely challenge the best steaks at Ruth Chris Steak house or the wagu beef that some will proclaim as the best of the best. A very large restaurant typically used for business dinners, but also offers the intimacy for a date night.

California Bakery

Location: Viale Premuda, 44
Tel: +39.02.76011492
Cost: 20 €/person (brunch)
Rating: 7/10
Comments:
Great place for a Sunday brunch after a morning of mountain biking. The price gives it a lower rating, but the americanized food and coffee percolator add a touch of nostalgia. Note: book in advance for brunch! (12-4) If it’s before 12, then reservations are not needed.

Shambala
www.shambalamilano.it/
Location: Via Repamonti, 337

I haven’t eaten here yet but it has come highly recommended

Dongiò

Location: Via corio 3, Milano
Tel: +39.02.551.1372
Cost: 40 €/person
Rating: 9/10
Comment:
This place is fantastic. Home of the peperoncino, the cheif has mastered the intricacies of delevering a dish with just the right amout of zing to make you want more. The environment is rustic, warm, and welcoming. I would recommend the tasty and substantial cream-based spicy sausage. NOTE: make reservations at least one day in advance.

Fabbrica Pizzeria

Fabrica Pizzeria con Cucina
Location: Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 70 Milano
Tel: +39 02 8358297
Cost: 18 euro (average)
Rating: 8/10
Comments:
All I can say is “Tortufa Pizza” You MUST try this pizza! The atmosphere is fast paced, up-beat, with an modern style interior decor.

ASMARA

Ristorante ASMARA
Location: Via Lazzaro Palazzi, 5 Milano
Tel: +39 02 89073798
Cost: 18 euro (average)
Rating: 7/10
Comments:
I went here with a few friends from my Italian lessons class and the cuisine is African. You eat with your fingers and the portions are huge! We shared two plates between six people. The meal was prepared for us on atop a bed of African bread. I’m not sure what they call it but it reminded me of thin pancakes with a spongy feel.

Capoverde

Capoverde
Location: Via Leoncavallo, 16 Milano
Tel: +39 02 26820430
Cost: 23 euro (average)
Rating: 8/10
Comments:
I went here with some buddies from the office after kitesurfing on Como and with an empty stomach I was ready to eat! I forgot the name of the pizza I decided on but it was the last one on the pizza menu which absolutely floored me. I upgraded it to include mozzerella di bufula and it already had picans and the flank of a calf. (forgot the name in Italian) SOOO GOOD! Topped it off with to glasses of the house vine and finished with turtufa gelato. yum!

This is a must if you want to show your friends what real Italian pizza tastes like. The atmosphere was also pleasent with a ‘garden’ like feel. Lots of plants and friendly wait staff.

Be prepared to read Italian… no English menus.

UTZ

UTZ – Food and Motion
Location: Via Solferino 48 (next to the Anteo Movie Theatre)
Tel: +39 02 6551180
Cost: 35 euro (average)
Rating: 6/10
Comments:
For such an exceptional website, I was expecting more when I arrived. From the website, it looked as if the chef spent hours taking pictures of the main course meals. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff… but slow (domani!), food and dessert was great.

This was a Thursday night right a BA meeting at the office. We had a group of 8 including colleagues from France, UK, Corp., and Italy.

Trattoria Toscana

Trattoria Toscana

Location: Corso Di Porta Ticinese 58
Tel: 02.89406292
Cost: 30 euro
Rating: 6/10
Comments:
Trendy place near the Columns of Lorenzo. Aperitivo till 9:30. After 9:30 the bar starts crankin up the volume with some techno. The entrance is subtle but inside is fashion. Have a seat on the steal sofa that looks like a pair of lips.

I was here with Pauline and Lucas, two of my friends from the Italian course I’m taking in Milan at International House. I highly recommend this school for anyone interested in learning Italian is a very short period of time.

Obika

Obika
Location: Via Mercato – corner Via Fiori Chiari (save this one in your GPS)
Tel: +39 02 86450568
Cost: 40 euro (above average)
Rating: 9/10

Comments:
woah! do you guys like Momozzarella di bufala?!? I sure do and that is this places speciality. I would recommend a brunch/lunch with colleagues who you are trying to impress. The prices are a bit steep (like all of Milan), but if your a mozzarella conoisseur than it’s a must!

This place was initially discovered by Tizzy who then introduced it to me and now I’ve managed to show numerous other people. They all seem to like it… except the price.

Premiata Pizzeria

Premiata Pizzeria
Location: Via Alzaia Naviglio Grande, 2
Tel: 02.89400648
Cost: 10 euro per pizza (avg)
Rating: 7/10

The first time I went to this place was last year (06) with Jaime. This is probably one of the better Italian restaurants I like to take guests to. It has an authentic taste and atmosphere for pizza. The wine however is from a giant barrel and doesn’t have much flavor.

need to explore - http://www.giuliopaneojo.com/

Portugal

Steak House Kebab’s Specialities (Algarve, Portugal)

location: Edificio Delta Marina, Loja 7 – 8125 Vilamoura
Tel: +351.289.316.376
Rating: 9/10
Cost: 25€/person
Comment:
Great restaurant after a long day burning on the beach. Jennica and I had a weekend trip to Portugal and both nights we came back to this place… that should say enough! The owners are married and absolutely adorable. They made us bouillon muscles baked in garlic and olive oil which wasn’t even on the menu! slurp! Also, the sea bass is fantastic.

Cafe No Chiado (Lisbon, Portugal)

location: Lg. do Picadeiro, 10 a 12 – 1200-330 Lisboa
Tel: +351.213.460.501
Rating: 8.5/10
Cost: 25€/person
Comment:
All I can say is eat the steak! Specifically the ‘Steak com Queijo Roqueford’. Then finish it off with the porto dessert wine. This place has a modern vibe with a Portuguese staff that understands English. It’s also close to the night scene for those with a more adventurous after hours delight.

Istanbul, Turkey

SAHAN

location: check the website (lots of options)
Tel: 0216 315 3636
Rating: 8.8/10
Cost: 30€/person
Comment:
Best Turkish food I’ve ever had. Imagine endless portions of Turkish food displayed at your table for you to choose from, and then wash them down with a local red wine served in a GIANT red wine glass. Absolutely lovely. P.S. Be sure to try Kunefe! This dessert alone put this restaurant on my top ten list…

Cibalikapi

location: Kadir Has Cad. Kadir Has Un. yani, No: 5
Tel: 0212 533 2846
Rating: 7.8/10
Cost: 30€/person
Comment:
Awesome seafood right off the Bosphorus canal. Probably the best grilled calamari in Europe with the house’s special seasoning, and just a touch of cheese melted on the inside. Be sure to ask for a bottle of lions milk ‘Raki’ to sip on while you enjoy a proper Turkish meal.

Banyan

location: Salhane Sokak no:3/3, Ortakoy (Asian side of the Bosphorus)
Tel: 0212 259 90 60
Rating: 8.3/10
Cost: 55€/person
Comment:
Not going to lie, this place is expensive, but the view is worth it. Overlooking the Bosphorus canal from the Asian side with a mind blowing view! If the weather is right, then all the walls fold up and you really feel connected to the sights and sounds of Istanbul. This would be a great place for a few drinks before hitting the night club, Reina, which is only a few blocks away.