Bord’eau Restaurant by Jean-Yves Schillinger (Colmar, FRANCE) ★★★★☆

I didn’t quite remember why we chose to visit Riquewihr instead of Colmar back in 2012 but let’s just say it was one of my less favorite decisions for a long time. It ended up taking me 14 years to finally make it right.

I can really see why tourists keep coming back to Colmar — it’s a perfectly preserved medieval, fairytale-like setting. That charm comes from centuries of architectural preservation, a unique regional blending of French and German influences, and a deliberate effort to keep the historic centre looking like a living storybook.

We had a lot planned for our day in Colmar, but first, it was time for a highly anticipated lunch at Bord’eau Restaurant which kicked off the visit in style.

Bord’eau is a hugely popular, chic bistronomic restaurant in the heart of the romantic Little Venice (La Petite Venise) district in Colmar. Tucked right along the scenic banks of the Lauch River, it’s known for a casual yet innovative menu that blends local terroir flavors with contemporary, global influences.

The restaurant is owned by renowned Alsatian chef Jean-Yves Schillinger, who is also behind flagship restaurant JY’s, an acclaimed two-Michelin-star fine-dining temple specializing in creative, cosmopolitan cuisine made with local Alsatian ingredients.

I asked for the best seat in the house — a table at the corner of the terrace, right at the point where the Lauch River meets the picturesque backdrop of traditional timber houses. From where we sat, it felt almost like a postcard.

After wasting a ton of time taking photos, we finally got down to business. A small nibble to start things off…

…and brioche.

At this point, everybody realized just how hungry we really were.

Sea bream, tiger’s milk, pink radish, mango — The tiger’s milk added a nice, velvety texture to the sea bream. The thin strips of pink radish and ruby corn delivered a lovely crunch, along with a mango gel that brought a touch of acidity to the dish. This wasn’t bad, but they could have leaned in a bit more on the acidity to bring out the sea bream’s sweetness even further.

Duck foie gras, figs, raspberry caramel — Some of us enjoyed a slice of duck foie gras with roasted figs and a raspberry caramel gel instead.

Muscovy duck, Chinese cabbage, peanuts, turnips, lemon — As a fan of meaty French duck, this was a no-brainer. I thought the duck breast could have been a little more charred on the edges, but overall they did a more-than-fine job. The lemon-infused duck jus was spot on, meshing beautifully with the Chinese cabbage and honey-glazed turnips.

A duck shepherd’s pie was served as a side to the duck breast.

Seared octopus, vegetables, saffron — The other main dish was seared octopus, paired with Thai vegetables with basil, saffron rouille, and finished with a relatively light shellfish broth infused with miso.

Then our new friends were back with us — wasps and bees 🐝🐝🐝 — and that killed the mood almost instantly. While we knew we’d miss the amazing river view on the terrace, we couldn’t bear the risk of being bitten again. So, we ended up moving inside.

White peach, verbena, diplomat, peach tuile, Fior di latte ice cream — The starter and main dishes were pretty good (good, though not exactly great), but the dessert turned out to be an outstanding exclamation point — perhaps even a knockout punch for the nasty heat this afternoon. 

From the first bite, I could tell verbena was in play, and it always seems to form a great bond with white peach. Not surprisingly, the verbena flavors were front and centre, from the verbena soup to the verbena diplomat cream. It effortlessly elevated the juicy white peach with its floral, grassy, and lightly mint-like undertones. And finally, the layer of Fior di latte ice cream underneath the peach tuile tied everything together beautifully.

The result? Refreshing, bright, and absolutely perfect summer dessert.

As expected, our lunch was a retreat for both our eyes and our palates. It also burned a little more time than we first thought. I think we’ll really need to manage our remaining time in Colmar now.

Food Rating: 6.9/10

Price: €€€

Address: 17 Rue de la Poissonnerie, 68000 Colmar, France

Tel: +33 (0)3 8921-5365

Website: https://www.jean-yves-schillinger.com/bord-eau-restaurant/

Opening Hours: 12:00pm - 1:30pm (Wed - Sat), 7:00pm - 10:00pm (Tue - Sat)

BellaVista (Ulm, GERMANY) ★★☆☆☆

The fact that Ulm is the birthplace of Albert Einstein had nothing to do with us stopping for lunch here this afternoon. With the historic city right in the middle of Kempten and Stuttgart, it simply made perfect sense to stop by for food, gas, and a little bit of sightseeing.

Our friend AI told me that Ulm is a tourist city, but the tourism part didn’t really register during our visit as we were the only notable tourists in the city centre. After parking our car in the heart of Ulm, we emerged from underground looking for our lunch spot.

BellaVista is a popular café, bar, and restaurant in Ulm, famous for its rooftop terrace that looks directly at the Ulm Minster, one of the tallest churches in the world and the undisputed top attraction of the city. The restaurant sits on the top floor of a six-story building on the edge of a plaza right next to the church. It was the main reason I booked this place in the first place.

With the hope of getting a closer look at the Ulm Minster, we decided to sit on the terrace.

Needless to say, we began taking selfies the moment we sat down at the corner.

The food menu is very short, highlighted by a couple of salad bowls, ramen noodles, and the daily specials.

This was when my day took a wild spin for the worse. While I was going through the menu, there were a few (under 10) wasps and bees 🐝 circling around me and little nugget (Jelloman was away to the toilet). It’s safe to say my boy has never been a fan of little flying objects and when he was constantly interrupted by them, he got really irritated and a little upset. He started swinging wildly with the menu, and this probably got one of the wasps upset. It settled on my arm (but why me? I had no clue) and bit me.

When I first saw the wasp on my arm, I didn’t react immediately. Two seconds later, I was already bitten. There was obviously excruciating pain at the spot where I’ve been bitten, and it quickly started to swell pretty badly.

I quickly told little one to go inside the restaurant and asked for help. One of the servers came and sprayed some chemicals on my wound, and without consulting Jelloman, we moved indoors. I was then handed an ice pack to keep the swelling down.

So, yes I didn’t really get to enjoy this meal as much as I would have liked.

Yatai ramen (€13.5) — Both ramen options are vegetarian. This one came with enoki mushrooms, pak choy, leeks, sugar snap peas, and fresh coriander in a soy sauce–based broth. The broth was very strong, with a rich soy sauce flavor. We were joking that with the broth already pretty salty, the chance of the bottle of soy sauce being used was probably next to none. 

Fried calamari (€17.9) — The fried calamari (which was really squid rings) was breaded and served on a bed of salad made with garden greens, rocket leaves, tomatoes, and capers. There was a Parmesan aioli on top to add to the flavors. Overall the dish was fine, although I thought the calamari would have tasted better without the added batter.

There were a few firsts for me today. First time visiting Ulm, first time having Japanese ramen in Germany, and yeah — first time being bitten by a wasp. I have to admit, a lot went through my mind in the few seconds after being bitten, including whether the wasp was poisonous. I was reassured by the staff that as long as I didn’t feel anything wrong (such as dizziness), I should be fine.

A gentleman from the table next to us came over to check if I was alright. What a class act! He went on to tell me that during the summer it’s common to see wasps and bees everywhere in Germany and that being bitten by one definitely isn’t rare. He concluded with, “This is Germany. Welcome to Germany!”

Even with my badly swollen forearm, I decided to check out Ulm Minster. 

Despite its massive scale and cathedral-like appearance, it has never been the official seat of a bishop. Go, figure....

Food Rating: 4.7/10

Price: €€€

Address: Münsterplatz 35, 89073 Ulm, Germany

Tel: +49 731 6026966

Website: https://bellavista-ulm.de/

Opening Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm (Mon - Thu), 8:30am - 4:00pm (Fri - Sat)

UZU Rhythm Cafeteria & Souvenir (Naruto, JAPAN) ★★★★☆

Very much like G.ELM, running into UZU Rhythm was pure coincidence. After visiting the Tokushima Prefectural Uzu-no-Michi Walkway, an enclosed pedestrian promenade built inside the lower structure of the massive Ōnaruto Bridge get a closer look at the Naruto whirlpools (鳴門漩渦), I wanted to check out some souvenirs from one of the nearby souvenir shops.

Lo and behold, an incredibly smoky aroma suddenly drifted my way. The place was called UZU Rhythm Cafeteria & Souvenir, a souvenir shop that also doubles as a burger joint with a proper sit-down area.

In fact, the café area actually boasts a partial view of Onaruto Bridge and and you can even catch the same walkway we just experienced earlier.

UZU-ship cream soda (700 yen) — Little nugget finally caught up with me while the rest of the crew was still making their way over.

Of course, he couldn’t resist having a refreshing icy soda topped with a soft serve!

Premium burger (1,500 yen) — The premium burger was a double-decker featuring two smoky beef patties made with A5 Awa beef (阿波牛).

The beef was tender, juicy, and smoky — without being overly fatty, even with A5 beef. And to make it even more delicious, it was piled high with an amazing amount of juicy caramelized onions. These are the same “patented” local onions that helped put Awaji Island (淡路島) on the map. Not surprisingly, I had to fight little one for my half of the burger. 🍔 

While the team was enjoying their burgers, I went outside to check out the view, and it was nothing short of jaw-dropping. 

As mentioned by many tourist reviews, this could be the best spot for selfies with the bridge and even the whirlpools in the background. 

Needless to say, I took quite a few myself despite the scorching heat.

We almost considered skipping this tourist highlight but we were glad we didn't. But hey, we still had lost time to make up, with Kobe up next as we have some shopping to do at the Mitsui Outlet Park Marine Pia.

Food Rating: 6.6/10

Price: ￥￥￥

Address: 65-3 Fukuike Narutocho Tosadomariura, Naruto, Tokushima, 772-0053, Japan

Tel: +81 (0)88-687-0021

Website: https://uzurhythm.jp/

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 4:00pm daily

A-Mei Teahouse 阿妹茶樓 (Jiufen, TAIWAN) ★★★☆☆

A-Mei Teahouse (阿妹茶樓) is one of Jiufen (九份)'s most iconic spots, nestled along the area's steep hillside staircases. Known for its striking Japanese-style architecture and glowing red lanterns, it’s no surprise that the teahouse is a magnet for tourists, especially those from Japan.

The setting is undeniably beautiful. From the terrace, you get sweeping views of the Jiufen mountains and the East China Sea beyond.

Naturally, the tables closest to the edge are the most coveted, offering unobstructed views and a front-row seat to Jiufen’s fairytale-like charm.

A traditional tea set here costs around NT$300, which includes a pot of high-mountain oolong tea, along with a selection of small snacks like mung bean cakes, candied plums, and other traditional treats.

When I saw the word teahouse, I had (perhaps unrealistically) hoped for appetizers or even a bowl of Taiwanese beef noodle soup (紅燒牛肉麵) but that turned out to be a bit of wishful thinking.

In my opinion, a visit to A-Mei Teahouse is best when you're going around or just after sunset — as darkness falls, the glowing lanterns and mountain vistas create a truly atmospheric experience.

As a thoughtful touch, each tea set also comes with a complimentary postcard featuring a photo of A-Mei Teahouse. Perfect for keeping or sending as a memento of your time here.

Now, time for a proper meal before bed time.

Price: $$

Address: No. 20, Shixia Lane, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Tel: +886 2-2496-0833

Website: https://www.a-meiteahouse.com/

Opening Hours: 9:00am - 9:30pm daily

Waguri Senmon Saori 和栗専門 紗織 京都河原町 (Kyoto, JAPAN) ★★★★★

We had such a wonderful time at Waguri Senmon Saori (和栗専門 紗織), a specialty sweets shop in Kyoto devoted entirely to the art of Japanese chestnut desserts ("waguri") that we found ourselves returning for a second trip in less than ten months. And it turned out to be just as magical the second time around.

The dessert shop is best known for its signature "Kinshi Mont Blanc", a dessert made with premium Tanba chestnuts (丹波栗) which are squeezed out into ultra-fine 1mm strands right in front of diners. The popular dessert has made the place buzzing with tourists and locals alike, all eager for a taste of this uniquely Japanese take on Mont Blanc.

The experience is further elevated further by the gorgeous view of picturesque Kamo River (鴨川), a slice of serenity that perfectly complements the delicate sweets. 

On our first visit, we were seated upstairs at a regular table, but this time, I made sure we snagged front-row seats at the bar counter, the best spot to watch the chefs work their quiet magic.

The menu here is focused and uncompromising. The main decision is whether to go for the Tanba chestnuts from Kyoto or Japanese chestnuts from Ebino, Miyazaki Prefecture. Naturally, we went with the Tanba variety, known for its rich aroma and naturally sweet flavor.

First up, we were offered a small savory drink, likely a dashi-based palate cleanser, made with what I thought was kombu.

Sitting in front of the special "squeezer" gave us the front-row seats we lauded for this occasion.

Of course, we couldn’t resist pulling out our smartphones to record the mesmerizing “noodle-making” moment — a ritual that’s now part of the Saori (紗織) experience.

Right in front of us, the chef gently pressed the chestnut paste through the fine mesh of the squeezer, forming incredibly fine threads, cascading like silk over the base of crisp meringue and fluffy fresh cream made from Hokkaido cream. A perfect harmony of textures and flavors.

Despite this being our second visit in a row, our parents (especially mom) were loving it just as much as the first time — if not more. It's a rare thing to find a dessert so refined, so seasonal, and yet so comforting.

Food Rating: 7.3/10

Price: ￥￥￥￥

Address: 2-170-1 Izumiyacho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, 600-8014, Japan

Closest Metro Station: Gion-Shijo / Kyoto-Kawaramachi

Tel: +81 (0)75 365-5559

Website: https://wagurisenmon-saori.com/

Opening Hours: 10:00am - 5:30pm daily

Eatanic Garden (Seoul, SOUTH KOREA) ★★★★☆

Ever since little nugget was introduced to the Korean TV show 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator' (also known as 'Chef & My Fridge'), he’s been completely hooked. At the same time, Handsome Executive Chef Son Jong-won (孫鍾元) from Eatanic Garden who's part of the show, has quietly become his hero. So when he found out that we’d be visiting Seoul in July, he immediately asked if he could dine at the chef’s two Michelin-starred restaurant. Wanting to offer him a deeper insight into the Korean culinary heritage, I finally decided to give him the chance to experience Chef Son’s refined, modern interpretation of Korean cuisine.

It was my second visit to the restaurant in less than 10 months but instead of the chef's table, we were seated in the main dining room this time. Not the same vibe and likely a different experience I would imagine.

Our welcome drink was again birch tree water. This tasted a little like chamomile.

Chamwe melon – Styled to resemble a fried egg, this dish was actually a savory silken tofu made from in-season Korean melon. It came with diced melon, toasted melon seeds, and a chilled melon juice finished with olive oil. A very refreshing start.

Jujeonburi – As usual, there are three small nibbles to kick off the meal here. From left to right........

🐠 Yugwa – Topped with a raw fish that had been cured in doenjang, then wrapped in a pickled wild garlic leaf marinated in Korean soy sauce.

🍃 Perilla leaf bugak – Crispy perilla leaf coated with glutinous rice paste and stuffed with diced Alaskan shrimps before being deep-fried. Very fragrant and I thought the tastiest of the three.

🥖 Gangjeong – A savory twist on the traditional Korean confectionery made from deep-fried rice puff. This was a refined version made with clam sauce, wrapped in seaweed, and finished with a touch of chili sauce. Crunchy, sticky, and full of umami.

Mushroom japchae – One of Chef Son's most iconic bites. I had this last time as well with the charcoal grilled mushrooms on the outside so some nice smoky flavors.

As we enjoyed the starters, the sun began to set behind the main dining room offering a beautiful backdrop to our meal.

Tomato – Visually stunning. The top layer featured paper-thin strips of tomato, cuttlefish, crab roe, and paprika jelly. I thought I heard croaker fish as well.

Underneath it all was snow crab meat dressed with pine nut sauce, punctuated by crunchy spring onions. This was really mouthwatering. For me, the best dish tonight.

Soy Bean – At first glance a carbon copy of the seafood soup I had last time, with caviar, gold leaves and the disc of egg white on top.

But this time, underneath was a medley of diced spring onions, cuttlefish, radish, and crunchy scallop skirt. Smoky notes from the ingredients added an extra layer of flavor to the already comforting soup.

Zucchini, zucchini flower – A chilled square pyeonsu dumpling stuffed with minced Hanwoo beef and zucchini, was paired with a zucchini flower dumpling filled with shrimp and shrimp mousse. Both dumplings were served in a delicate broth simmered with dried shrimp, clams, and Hanwoo brisket.

Summer peppers, hairtail – Pan-fried hairtail in a reduction of fish jus, fermented chili pepper juice, and pickled chili leaves. This sauce really delivered a lovely spicy kick, with a gentle numbing effect on the tongue.

Samgyetang – I had this dish during my last visit as well. The chicken skin was just as thin and crispy as I remembered. Inside, glutinous rice stuffed with ginseng, chestnut, and ginkgo nuts. The chicken roll was rested on a bed of diced kimchi, adding crunch and acidity to balance the richness of the dish.

As usual, this came with a side of sea cucumber and octopus porridge, and an intensely rich ginseng chicken tea.

Hanwoo – Slices of Hanwoo ribeye marinated in doenjang and chargrilled delivering beautifully caramelized edges with a satisfying char. They were served with earthy root vegetables and cucumber. This was a better meat course than the one I had previously.

By the time dessert was about to arrive, the sky had turned a deep evening blue.

We were first presented with a small fruit salad as a palate cleanser. This featured a slice of local peach served with a sweet-tart sauce made from watermelon, plums, and more peaches. 🍑🍑

Gaesung yakgwa – A traditional Korean "cookie". Sticky, chewy, packed with sweetness.

It was followed by a bowl of bingsu (shaved ice) with white bean paste. Hidden inside was ice cream made with makgeolli or Korean rice wine. This was surprisingly refreshing.

Little nugget hasn't seen Chef Son's mother-of-pearl box before and he was so impressed!

Omijacha – This was infused with honey and ginseng. Nourishing and warming.

Apricot wooheng tteok and white chocolate bon bon stuffed with pine nuts. I probably missed a couple of these mignardises while I was snapping my photos.

While we were all thoroughly impressed with the meal, little nugget was slightly disappointed not to meet his idol, Chef Son, in person. Still, it was a night to remember — an amazing experience of modern Korean cuisine, and a memory made for us as a family.

Food Rating: 7.6/10

Price: ₩₩₩₩

Address: 36/F Josun Palace Hotel, 231 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Closest Metro Station: Yeoksam

Tel: +82 02 727-7610

Website: https://jpg.josunhotel.com/dining/EatanicGarden.do

Opening Hours: 12:30pm - 2:30pm, 6:00pm - 10:00pm (Wed - Sun)

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