Browsed by
Category: Restaurants

Noni Restaurant, Valletta, Malta, August 26, 2022

Noni Restaurant, Valletta, Malta, August 26, 2022

Comments 1 comment

I was so excited to go to dinner at Noni, a one-star Michelin rated restaurant in Valletta, Malta. Not only was it going to be our daughter Anna’s first Michelin-starred experience, but it promised to be one of our nicest dinners for our entire trip. Noni easily lived up to my high expectations! Noni is located on Republic Street, which is the main thoroughfare running through the center of Valletta. It was towards the northern tip of Valletta and we…

Read More Read More

Offbeat Malta Food Trails – Food Tour of Valletta, Malta, August 24, 2022

Offbeat Malta Food Trails – Food Tour of Valletta, Malta, August 24, 2022

Comments 0 Comment

It is pretty much impossible for me at this point to go to a city, especially in Europe, and not do a food tour.  As I’ve mentioned before in several articles, it’s a great way to get to know a city, try some traditional food, and find some hidden gems.  This time, I booked a private tour for three of us through Offbeat Malta Food Trails.  I would have done a regular tour of theirs, but at this time they…

Read More Read More

Can Cisa/Bar Brutal, Barcelona, June 17, 2022

Can Cisa/Bar Brutal, Barcelona, June 17, 2022

Comments 0 Comment

For our last night in Spain, we went to a restaurant that was recommended by our Hotel Concierge – Can Cisa/Bar Brutal.  It seemed super hip and very wine-centric, which was something that I was especially looking forward to.   When we arrived, we were seated towards the front of the space, although the a/c was not working there which made it a bit stuffy.  Because of that, though, our water for the night was free, which is something that…

Read More Read More

Martinez Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain – June 15, 2022

Martinez Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain – June 15, 2022

Comments 0 Comment

One of our stand out dinners in Barcelona, Spain was at Martinez Restaurant.  I chose this place because of the high recommendations from several sources regarding their paella.  It also would be the only time we could get to the high hill on the southern end of town, Montjuic.  We took a cab here as it was much too far to walk, and we were dropped off right next to the restaurant.  We were a bit early, so we took…

Read More Read More

ROOH Restaurant, Chicago, July 30, 2022

ROOH Restaurant, Chicago, July 30, 2022

Comments 2 comments

My two local cousins and I all have birthdays in July and August, so every year, we usually book a nice summer outing to celebrate each other and enjoy a nice evening out. This year, we chose to check out a relatively new restaurant in the West Loop neighborhood called ROOH which calls itself, “Progressive Indian Cuisine in a Vibrant Atmosphere;” and vibrant, it is! Every corner of this place is seriously insta-worthy and I took a TON of photos!…

Read More Read More

La Cabana Argentina, Madrid, June 2022

La Cabana Argentina, Madrid, June 2022

Comments 0 Comment

As we were walking around Madrid, we noticed that there were quite a few Argentinian steakhouse restaurants in the area near where we were staying in the literary quarter.  We figured this would be a nice change of pace from all of the tapas we were eating, and who could resist the aroma of juicy steaks emanating from these restaurants?  As we walked by several of these places, their grills were right in the window, inviting us to come and…

Read More Read More

Roister, Chicago July 17, 2022

Roister, Chicago July 17, 2022

Comments 4 comments

***Update: Roister closed in the fall of 2024, and has already reopened it’s doors as Fire. As soon as I go there, you know you’ll find my review right here on ChiLuxe! Oh, Roister, you have never disappointed me! This was my third visit to Roister restaurant in Chicago and I went with my brother to celebrate his 40th birthday! Roister’s Chef is Grant Achatz, of Alinea fame. The Chef was actually on hand on this evening working in the…

Read More Read More

Cocina Hermanos Torres, June 16, 2022

Cocina Hermanos Torres, June 16, 2022

Comments 3 comments

When in Spain, which I believe has the greatest food in all of Europe, you absolutely must collect a Michelin star or two.  On our trip with the kids (10 and 12 years old), I was excited to take them to their first Michelin starred experience, and this restaurant absolutely lived up to my expectations. Cocina Hermanos Torres has two Michelin stars (out of three) and has easily earned those stars.  From the incredible food, the impeccable service, and the very…

Read More Read More

Tapas Tour, Madrid, June, 2022

Tapas Tour, Madrid, June, 2022

Comments 6 comments

Prior to our trip to Spain, I booked a tour through Gourmet Madrid to sample some tapas around the city.  I picked the “Madrid Wine and Tapas” tour because it took place in the neighborhood where we were staying, and there was a lower price for the kids who would not be drinking wine.  For Adults (age 13+) the price was 80 euros and for 12 and under, the price was 55 euros.  I kind of find the price difference…

Read More Read More

Vinitus Restaurant – Gran Via, Madrid, June 12, 2022

Vinitus Restaurant – Gran Via, Madrid, June 12, 2022

Comments 3 comments

Vinitus restaurant was our first lunch stop in Madrid on June 12, 2022.  After spending the morning walking around the Palacio Real, we walked over to the Gran Via to check out the cool architecture along the busy avenue.  Towards the southern end is a restaurant called Vinitus. This is a tapas place on the Gran Via, and I really try to avoid touristy places, but this restaurant was filled with locals as well as tourists, and the tapas were…

Read More Read More