EAT > Vue de Monde, Melbourne (19/20)

Twenty-five years On and 55 floors above the CBD, Vue de Monde remains the benchmark by which Melbourne fine dining measures itself: theatrical, meticulous, unapologetically expensive, and still capable of genuine surprise. In our opinion Vue de Monde is the most complete fine-dining experience in Melbourne, and arguably in the country. There is…

ByCrispinJuly 19, 20260Comments

STAY > AUSTRALIA STAY > QLD STAY > WHITSUNDAYS WHERE TO STAY >

STAY > QUALIA, Hamilton Island, Queensland (19/20)

Qualia on Hamilton Island remains the benchmark for barefoot Australian luxury, adults-only, 60-pavilion resort on the Great Barrier Reef where privacy, understated design and genuine sense of place outweigh any single showpiece amenity. AMBIENCE > Qualia occupies the secluded northern tip of Hamilton Island, set within roughly 30 acres of tropical gardens above the Coral…

ByCrispinJuly 12, 20260Comments

EAT > AUSTRALIA EAT > NSW EAT > SYDNEY WHERE TO EAT >

EAT > CATALINA, Rose Bay Sydney (19/20)

Catalina’s has become a venue for our special events, it is that kind of place. Stunning views, exceptional service, delicious food and a world class wine list. There are few restaurants around the world that have such an abundance of world class assets and as such Catalina remains one of the most in…

ByCrispinApril 7, 20260Comments

EAT > AUSTRALIA EAT > MORNINGTON PENINSULA EAT > VICTORIA WHERE TO EAT >

EAT > Ten Minutes by Tractor, Main Ridge (19/20)

Ten Minutes by Tractor has always felt like the Mornington Peninsula restaurant that most confidently blurs the line between winery dining room and serious destination restaurant; under new head chef Craig Lunn and an evolved wine program led by head sommelier Noah Rozenfeld, it now reads as a sharper, more self-assured version of itself. AMBIENCE…

ByCrispinMarch 1, 20260Comments

EAT > JAPAN EAT > TOKYO WHERE TO EAT >

EAT > Abysse, Ebisu Tokyo (19/20)

Abysse in Ebisu is that rare fine-dining room where Tokyo’s elegance, French technique, and Japan’s coastal abundance converge in a single, quietly dramatic arc. Anchored by seafood and the seasons, chef Kotaro Meguro’s cooking feels both deeply considered and instinctive, like a tide that knows exactly when to rise and fall. AMBIENCE > Slip…

ByCrispinJanuary 9, 20260Comments

EAT > JAPAN EAT > TOKYO WHERE TO EAT >

EAT > JULIA, Shibuya, Tokyo (19/20)

Tucked away in the residential fringes of Jingumae, just beyond Omotesando's designer bustle, JULIA remains a Shibuya gem for those seeking Japan's seasonal essence through innovative fine dining. Returning after our acclaimed 2024 visit to the expanded space—where Chef Nao and Sommelier Kenichiro elevated their husband-and-wife intimacy to a poised team operation—this latest meal reaffirms…

ByCrispinDecember 20, 20250Comments

EAT > AUSTRALIA EAT > NSW EAT > SYDNEY WHERE TO EAT >

EAT > Saint Peter, Paddington Sydney (19/20)

Saint Peter in Sydney is one of Australia’s (possibly the world’s) most compelling places to eat seafood right now, a restaurant that turns whole fish into high drama without ever losing sight of comfort, generosity, and genuine hospitality. Relocated to The Grand National Hotel in Paddington, it feels like both a neighbourhood dining room and…

ByCrispinDecember 2, 20250Comments

STAY > CHAMPAGNE STAY > FRANCE WHERE TO STAY >

STAY > Hôtel Les Avisés, Épernay (19/20)

With just 10 rooms, Hôtel Les Avisés and its neighbouring champagne house (Domaine Jacques Selosse) is a delightful stay with solid hospitality and exceptional food and drink. ABOUT > The town of Les Avisés Les Avisés is a picturesque enclave in the heart of Avize, Champagne, renowned for its grand cru vineyards…

ByPaulaOctober 12, 20250Comments

STAY > NEW ZEALAND WHERE TO STAY >

STAY > The Lindis, New Zealand (19/20)

Set in the heart of New Zealand’s majestic Ahuriri Valley, The Lindis is a standout luxury lodge that redefines high country hospitality with a blend of architectural elegance, immersive natural beauty, and bespoke experiences. LOCATION > Tucked within a 240-hectare sheep and cattle station in the South Island, The Lindis commands sweeping views of the…

ByEd ItorAugust 10, 20250Comments

CAFE > CAFE > SINGAPORE

CAFE > Apartment Coffee, Singapore (19/20)

There’s a certain quiet confidence to Apartment Coffee, nestled along Selegie Road in Singapore — a space where light pours in through clean lines and minimalism meets artistry. Once a local secret and now crowned Asia’s best coffee shop (and sixth worldwide on 2025’s World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list), Apartment Coffee is a pilgrimage…

ByCrispinAugust 2, 20250Comments