For me travel is about discovery – I learn a little history and see some amazing scenery – but best of all I get to eat things that are rare or unavailable at home.
Occasionally I even discover something completely new. Here are five of the best dishes from around the world I ate in 2017, and where to find them.
Almond Croissant Fleur de Farine (Romainmôtier, Switzerland)
It shouldn’t be hard to get a good croissant in Europe, right? After all, it’s a breakfast staple. But even in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, I’m often disappointed. Not so at this unassuming wood-fired bakery-café in my favourite village of the Swiss Jura, where the almond croissants are my benchmark. The flans, artisanal bread and coffee are good too, as is the view of the 11th century priory around which the village is built (pictured top).
Passatelli Osteria La Corte (San Leo, Italy)
Passatelli, a specialty of Romagna (the eastern half of Emilia-Romagna), is an extruded pasta made from stale bread, egg, Grana Padano and lemon. I discovered it at this rustic osteria on the cobbled main street of San Leo, a village perched high on a rocky outcrop opposite the autonomous enclave of San Marino. Served simply with butter and grated cave-aged cheese, it’s a revelation!
Chicken Oyster Salad Le Coq Rico (Paris, France)
This casual modern bistro in Montmartre, specialising in poultry, serves some of the tastiest food I’ve ever eaten. The highlight this year was a salad of roast chicken oysters (those two tender bits of meat either side of the backbone) tossed with waxy potato, radish, rocket and a citrus vinaigrette. Update: Le Coq Rico is now Le Coq & Fils still in Montmatre and still serving the same tasty birds!
Morels Stuffed with Wild Garlic Café de Riex (Lake Geneva, Switzerland)
Two of my favourite ingredients just happen to be in season at the same time in Europe – fresh morels (hard to come by in Australia) and wild garlic (bärlauch in Swiss). So I’m in heaven whenever I discover them together, as in this delicious dish from one of my favourite Swiss restaurants. It’s in the small wine village of Riex, on the terraced hillsides overlooking Lake Geneva.
Orange & Black Pepper Cake – Flat Three (London, UK) – CLOSED
The menu of this subterranean Holland Park restaurant reminded me of Australia, with its combination of interesting herbs and vegetables, foraging, fermentation and Japanese/Korean inspiration. Most memorable was a deceptively simple orange and black pepper cake with carrot sorbet and lemon balm ice cream.
Updated 02 Nov 2024
