This week, we’re in Paris with Christian Le Squer, the three-star executive chef of Le Cinq at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, where he has been for over a decade.

Before taking the helm at Le Cinq, Chef Le Squer spent more than twelve years as executive chef of the three-Michelin-starred Pavillon Ledoyen, establishing himself as one of Paris’s most important chefs. Today, he is one of only ten chefs in Paris to lead a three-Michelin-starred restaurant, and he has held three stars for over twenty years.

Below, the Parisian chef reveals all of his favorite places in Paris — from restaurants to boulangeries, chocolatiers, wine bars, and more. He also shares which restaurants he recommends to visiting chefs and friends coming to Paris. A Google Map with all of the locations mentioned is provided at the end of the interview.

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Originally dating back nearly 1,000 years, Castello di Casole was once a historic castle and aristocratic estate, and the setting is absolutely breathtaking. Set high on a hill in the Tuscan countryside outside Siena, the property sits within more than 3,200 acres of privately owned land filled with vineyards, olive groves, cypress trees, forests, and rolling hills stretching endlessly in every direction.

The best hotels understand how important the arrival experience is, and Castello di Casole absolutely delivers from the very beginning. As you drive through the winding Tuscan roads toward the estate, the castle slowly appears above the landscape in the distance. Even before arriving, the views alone are stunning and create an incredibly memorable first impression.

The beauty of the grounds themselves is equally unforgettable. Belmond properties are known for their gardens, but Castello di Casole’s are genuinely among the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Near the main entrance and check-in area, stunning rose gardens overflow with color and fragrance, while the rest of the estate is filled with perfectly maintained flowers, lush greenery, and towering trees. It’s the kind of natural beauty that feels almost impossible to replicate anywhere else in the world and truly feels unique to Tuscany.

Despite the scale of the estate, what stood out to me most was the sense of peace and quiet throughout the property. For example, at night, the silence is almost surreal, and with so little around the estate, you can clearly see the stars. At the same time, the communal areas still felt lively and full of energy, creating a really nice balance between atmosphere and calm.

Accommodations

As you would expect from a luxury hotel of this caliber, the accommodations at Castello di Casole are incredibly pampering, with top-of-the-line everything. Oversized king beds are dressed in exceptionally soft linens, the bathrooms feature expansive walk-in showers with dual shower heads, and amenities such as Acqua di Parma toiletries and Dyson hair dryers are found throughout the rooms.

One thing I really loved is that the rooms don’t feel like traditional Tuscan hotel rooms. Many properties in the region lean heavily into rustic décor and darker interiors, but the rooms here feel fresher and more Italian chic. Velvet sofas, colorful furnishings, and contemporary details make the spaces feel bright and current without feeling disconnected from their surroundings.

The rooms are also filled with personal touches that give them real character. Assouline and Taschen books on Italy and Tuscany are placed throughout the accommodations, and espresso is served in beautiful Ginori 1735 porcelain cups — one of Italy’s most historic luxury porcelain houses, founded in Florence. It’s these details that make the rooms feel personal rather than simply luxurious.

And regardless of where you stay, the views are a highlight. At many luxury hotels, only a portion of the rooms enjoy exceptional views. At Castello di Casole, Tuscany is right outside of every window.

Dining

Breakfast is one of my favorite parts of staying at a luxury hotel, and Castello di Casole absolutely delivers.

Served either inside the elegant dining room or outside in the courtyard, breakfast is the kind of experience you’ll want to enjoy slowly. The Italian coffee is excellent, but it was the smaller touches that stood out to me: a fresh juice station where juices are made to order, aged Parmesan on the breakfast spread, and even bottles of Veuve Clicquot Champagne for those wanting to start the day with a glass of bubbly.

For lunch, Emporio del Castello is the place to be. The menu focuses on Italian classics done very well, including wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas, grilled meats, and fresh seasonal dishes, all paired with an excellent selection of Italian wines and Champagnes.

As good as the food is, the real highlight is the setting. The Emporio terrace is one of the most beautiful lunch spots I’ve ever experienced, with sweeping views across the Tuscan countryside. Even if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s worth stopping by for lunch.

A very nice touch is that the hotel has its own vegetable and herb gardens, and many of the herbs used throughout the restaurants are grown on-site.

For aperitivo, Bar Visconti is a must. Many of the cocktails are made with herbs picked from the estate’s gardens. You can enjoy your cocktails either inside the elegant bar or on the outdoor terrace.

Aperitivo here was one of my favorite moments of the stay. Watching the sunset over the landscape was so, so beautiful.

For dinner, guests can choose between Emporio del Castello‘s evening menu or Tosca, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant. Led by Executive Chef Daniele Sera, Tosca showcases refined Tuscan cuisine built around seasonal ingredients and local producers.

Facilities & Experiences

One of the biggest surprises about Castello di Casole is just how much there is to do on the property. While Tuscany is filled with beautiful towns, wineries, and villages worth exploring, the hotel offers enough activities that you could easily spend several days on the estate without ever feeling the need to leave.

The centerpiece of the property is the pool, and it’s one of the most breathtaking hotel pools I’ve ever experienced — you can easily spend the entire day here. Depending on where you’re sitting, you’ll find yourself looking out over vineyards, rolling hills, forests, and even a traditional Tuscan village sitting on a nearby hill. Every angle offers a different view of the surrounding landscape, making it difficult to stop staring out at the scenery.

For those looking to unwind further, the Essere Spa provides a peaceful retreat within the estate. The spa features treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, relaxation areas, and a menu of treatments inspired by Tuscany’s natural ingredients and wellness traditions.

Beyond the facilities, there are countless experiences available to guests. From wine tastings and pizza dough classes to hiking and biking, there is more than enough to fill several days without ever leaving the estate.

One experience that food lovers shouldn’t miss is truffle hunting. Guests can join expert guides and trained dogs to search for truffles in the surrounding countryside, allowing guests to experience one of Tuscany’s most celebrated culinary traditions.

I was traveling with young children, so it wasn’t practical for us this time around, but it’s absolutely something I would have booked otherwise. Best of all, the hotel can arrange everything for you.

Who This Hotel Is Best For

Castello di Casole is ideal for travelers who enjoy destination hotels, places where the hotel itself becomes the trip. Beautiful Tuscan towns and wineries are nearby, but this is one of those rare hotels where you could easily spend several days on the estate without feeling the need to leave.

It’s also an ideal hotel for couples, honeymooners, and anyone celebrating something special. The setting is incredibly romantic, from long breakfasts to aperitivo at sunset and quiet evenings under the stars.

At the same time, it also works very well for families. The estate is enormous, there’s plenty of space for children to move around, and there are enough activities, from the pool and gardens to cooking experiences and outdoor activities throughout the estate, that you don’t feel confined to one place.

Families also feel very welcomed here. When we arrived, the hotel had prepared a brand-new box of baby toiletries in the room, along with stuffed animals and even a little bandana for our baby. I’ve stayed at many high-end hotels with children before, and this was by far the most pampering and the most gifts I’ve ever seen a hotel prepare for a baby. It made the experience feel personal rather than simply family-friendly.

This week, we’re in Mexico City and Tokyo with Jesús Durón, former executive chef of two Michelin-starred Pujol in Mexico City, now based in Tokyo.

The Mexican chef has worked in some of the world’s most celebrated kitchens, including two-Michelin-starred Quintonil in Mexico City, three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca and Azurmendi in Spain and La Marine in France. Under his leadership at Pujol, the restaurant earned two Michelin stars in Mexico’s inaugural Michelin Guide year after year.

Below, the award-winning chef shares all of his favorite spots across both cities. Jesús knows both Mexico City and Tokyo inside out, which is incredibly rare. These are the places he actually eats at and sends visiting chefs to.

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This week, we’re in Amsterdam with Bas van Kranen, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Flore, one of the Netherlands’ leading fine dining restaurants.

After training in some of Europe’s most influential kitchens, Bas became head chef of De Leuf at just 23 years old, where he helped the restaurant regain its Michelin star. He was later named Gault&Millau’s “Talentful Chef of the Year.” Today, Flore holds two Michelin stars, along with a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.

“I think a lot of the hyped places disappoint in the end,” he says. “I always like to look for places where you find personality, but that are equally delicious.”

Below, the acclaimed chef shares:

• The Amsterdam restaurants you cannot miss
• The wine bar the city’s leading chefs and sommeliers go to
• The best cheese shop in town and the Dutch cheeses you need to try
• The city’s best coffee shops and bakeries
• Experiences you can only have in Amsterdam
• And more

(A Google Map with all locations mentioned is provided at the end of the interview.)

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This week, we’re in Sicily with Davide Guidara, the executive chef of two-Michelin-starred I Tenerumi at Therasia Resort Sea & Spa.

After training in Europe’s most influential kitchens, including Noma and the two-Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890, Guidara has become one of Italy’s most exciting young chefs. Under his leadership, I Tenerumi earned two Michelin stars, while also holding a Michelin green star for sustainability. Guidara has also been recognized by the Michelin Guide as Best Young Chef and was named to Forbes’s Italy 30 Under 30 list for Art & Culture.

Below, the award-winning local chef reveals:

• The must-visit restaurants for Sicily travelers

• The Sicilian dishes you cannot miss, and the best places to experience them

• The bar with one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world

• Experiences you can only have in Sicily

• And more

(A Google Map with all of the locations mentioned is provided at the end of the interview.)

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This week, we’re in Comporta, Portugal with Gonçalo Pessoa, the owner of Sublime Comporta. Just an hour from Lisbon, Comporta is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most talked-about destinations. His hotel, Sublime Comporta, has played a key role in this rise and was recently recognized by The New York Times as one of its “52 Places to Visit” and by Forbes Travel Guide as one of the world’s 10 best “Table to Farm” dining experiences.

Below, the hotelier shares his personal list of where to eat, along with his tips on how to have the best experience of Comporta—in other words, exactly why this place belongs on your travel list. A Google Map with all of the locations is provided at the end of the interview.

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This week is a big one. We’re with one of the most acclaimed chefs in the world: American chef Ruthie Rogers of the iconic River Café London.

Ruth Rogers is an award-winning chef, cookbook author of more than 14 books, restaurateur, and the host of the hit podcast Ruthie’s Table 4, now in its fifth season. The podcast features conversations about food and life with an extraordinary cast of guests, many of whom are River Café regulars, including Paul McCartney and Stanley Tucci. Her latest book, Table 4 at The River Cafe: Conversations about Food and Life, was also recently released.

The River Café is one of London’s most influential restaurants, where many of the city’s leading chefs trained. In interviews for The Relisher, almost every London chef has named it as their favorite restaurant in the city.

Below, the Michelin-starred chef reveals all of her favorite places in New York City, including the restaurants she sends chefs and friends to, and so much more. A Google Map with all of the locations mentioned is provided at the end of the interview.

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Welcome to The Relisher’s sixth Paris edition! This week, I met with one of Paris’s top young chefs, Maxime Bouttier, the Michelin-starred executive chef of Géosmine.

Maxime began his formal culinary training at just 14 and went on to hone his skills at France’s top restaurants, including the two-starred La Maison d'à Côté, and Gordon Ramsay’s two-starred Le Pressoir d'Argent in Bordeaux. He opened his own restaurant, Géosmine, in February 2023—which earned a Michelin star just 11 months later.

Below, the Parisian chef shares his favorite restaurants, wine bars, boulangeries, and more in Paris (note A Google Map with all his picks is included at the end of the article).

What I loved most about this edition is that Maxime doesn’t just share incredible recommendations—he also gives you a feel for what’s happening in Paris right now. He explains why these places matter, like how bistros are starting to pour wines once reserved for Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s the kind of insight you only get from a chef who’s not just local, but truly part of Paris’s top culinary scene.

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This week, we’re in Bilbao, Spain with Alejandro Serrano, the executive chef behind his Michelin-starred, eponymous restaurant just outside the city.

Alejandro is one of Spain’s most exciting up-and-coming chefs. He became the youngest chef in Spain to earn a Michelin star, and in 2023 he was the only chef chosen by the Spanish royal family to represent his region during the swearing-in of Princess Leonor of Asturias, who is a big fan of his food.

Before opening his own restaurant, Alejandro spent several years working in Spain’s most prestigious kitchens like Azurmendi and DiverXO, both of which hold three stars.

Below, he shares his favorite Bilbao restaurants, the best pintxo bars, the wineries he loves most in La Rioja (one of Spain’s leading wine regions), and more. This is the closest you can get to eating the Basque Country the way a Michelin-starred local chef does. A Google Map is provided at the end of the interview.

A quick planning note: Bilbao is often paired with San Sebastián. If you’re starting there, here’s my San Sebastián edition with one of the city’s top chefs.

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This week, we’re in Paris with Eugénie Béziat, Executive Chef of Michelin-starred L’Espadon at the Ritz Paris. After training in some of France’s leading restaurants, including three-starred Les Prés d’Eugénie and two-starred Restaurant Michel Sarran, she went on to earn her first Michelin star at La Flibuste in Villeneuve-Loubet. She achieved it in just 18 months at a restaurant once led by the Ritz’s very first chef, Auguste Escoffier.

Below, the award-winning chef shares her favorite places in Paris—from her favorite restaurants right now, to where to find the best chocolates and boulangeries, as well as wine bars and more—and the restaurants she recommends to chef friends visiting Paris.

A Google Map with all of the locations is provided at the end of the interview.

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This week is a big one. We’re with Phil Rosenthal! The award-winning creator of the hit CBS comedy Everybody Loves Raymond and the beloved host of Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, Rosenthal has spent years traveling the world in search of unforgettable meals. Now in its eighth season, Somebody Feed Phil is Netflix’s longest-running unscripted series, where he travels the globe in search of the world’s best restaurants and cuisines.

Rosenthal is also a two-time New York Times bestselling author. His latest book, Just Try It! Someplace New!, comes out this week!

Below, the culinary icon shares the restaurants he takes friends to when they visit Los Angeles, the best meals of his life, and more.

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This week, we’re in Copenhagen with Eric Kragh Vildgaard, chef and owner of three-Michelin-starred Jordnær, one of only three restaurants in Denmark to hold three stars.

He is one of the fastest chefs in history to go from opening a restaurant to earning three stars. In 2023, Jordnær was awarded Restaurant of the Year by the Danish Dining Guide (Den Danske Spiseguide), and in 2025 it ranked No. 56 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants extended list.

Below, Eric shares the restaurants he takes visiting chefs in Copenhagen, where to eat classic Danish dishes done properly, the best coffee shops and bakeries in the city and more. In short, this is everything you need to eat very well in Copenhagen, from a three-Michelin-star chef.

A Google Map with all of the locations is provided at the end of the interview.

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This week, we’re in Florence with Karime López, the former Executive Chef of Michelin-starred Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Florence.

Karime López has trained in some of the world’s most respected kitchens, including Noma in Copenhagen, Pujol in Mexico City, Mugaritz in Spain, and Central in Lima, Peru.

In 2018, Massimo Bottura invited her to lead the kitchen at Gucci Osteria in Florence, where she served as Executive Chef from 2018 through the end of 2025. Today, her husband, Takahiko Kondo, is the Executive Chef at Gucci Osteria.

Just a year later, in 2019, the restaurant received a Michelin star—making Karime the first Mexican chef to achieve this honor. Most recently, she was named Chef of the Year in Italy and has won numerous Best Chef awards.

Below, the award-winning chef shares the best of Florence that you can fit into one trip:

• Her favorite trattorias and the must-visit restaurants she takes visiting chefs to

• Where she goes for quick bites, from Tuscan sandwiches to pizza

• Where to find the best pastries, gelato, and aperitivo

• Incredible Florence stores you can’t find anywhere else in the world—plus when to visit for the best experience

A Google Map with all of the locations is provided at the end of the interview

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This week we’re in Seoul with Allen Hyunmin Suh, the Executive Chef and owner of two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Allen, in Seoul.

Chef Allen trained under Chef Daniel Humm at New York’s three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park, as well as at Per Se and the two-Michelin-starred Daniel in New York. After 17 years of culinary experience, he returned to Korea and opened L’Impression, which earned two Michelin stars within its first year.

In 2021, he launched Restaurant Allen, which received its first Michelin star in its first year and a second star the following year. It was also named to La Liste’s Top 1000 Restaurants Worldwide and Taste of Seoul’s Top 100 Restaurants. Today, Chef Allen is regarded as one of Korea’s leading chefs.

Below, the award-winning chef shares the best of Seoul that you can fit into one trip:

• His personal favorite Korean restaurants

• The must-visit restaurants he takes visiting chefs and friends

• Where to find Seoul’s best coffee shop, tea and traditional Korean desserts

• The one store he always recommends for Korean ceramics

• His insider tips for experiencing Seoul at its very best

A Google Map with all of the locations is provided at the end of the interview.

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This week, we’re in Vienna with Austrian chef Martin Öfner, the executive chef of three-Michelin-starred Zén in Singapore, the sister restaurant to Sweden’s three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm.

Chef Martin’s experience is incredibly impressive. He has worked in Europe’s leading three-Michelin-starred restaurants, including Geranium in Copenhagen and Frantzén. Since taking the helm at Zén, Martin has secured major accolades, including No. 79 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026. He has also led the restaurant to become the highest-rated in Singapore on La Liste, the annual ranking that aggregates hundreds of global guides and reviews.

Below, the Austrian chef reveals all of his favorite spots in Vienna.

This was a phenomenal interview. It’s the kind of insight you only get from a three-star chef in Vienna, yet it remains completely accessible. From what he considers the best breakfast in the city, cooked in the same kitchen as a three-star restaurant, to an aged balsamic vinegar used in three-star kitchens in Paris and Japan — these are experiences you simply cannot have anywhere else in the world. A Google Map with all of the locations is provided at the end of the interview.

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Welcome to a very special Paris edition! This week, we’re in the French capital with Arnaud Faye, the executive chef of Le Bristol’s three-Michelin-starred Epicure.

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Arnaud Faye is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France — one of the highest honors a chef can receive, awarded only once every four years to the country’s greatest craftsmen. At Le Bristol, he oversees all of the hotel’s restaurants: Epicure, Michelin-starred 114 Faubourg and Café Antonia.

He is considered one of France’s most important chefs. At just 29, he became Chef of L’Espadon at the Ritz Paris, one of the world’s most iconic hotel dining rooms, where he earned two Michelin stars. He later spent eight years at the legendary Château de la Chèvre d’Or in Èze, where he maintained two Michelin stars year after year.

In this Paris edition, Chef Faye shares all of his favorite spots across the city — the restaurants he loves most, his go-to bakeries and chocolatiers, the places he recommends to chefs visiting Paris, and more. A Google Map with all locations is provided at the end of the interview.

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Welcome to The Relisher’s third Copenhagen Edition! This week I met with Kenneth Foong, the director of Fermentation at three-Michelin-starred Noma in Copenhagen.

Kenneth is one of only two head chefs at Noma, working directly under René Redzepi, and one of the very few people ever appointed to this role.

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Chef Foong trained in top kitchens across the globe, including the three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York City, before joining Noma in 2018. He was promoted to Head Chef in 2020, during which time the restaurant earned its third Michelin star and claimed the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list for the fifth time.

Below, the local chef shares his favorite spots in Copenhagen—restaurants, bakeries, wine bars, and more. He also reveals the must-visit restaurants he takes visiting chefs to when they’re in town. A Google Map with all of the locations mentioned is provided at the end of the interview.

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Welcome to the third NYC edition of The Relisher! I have to say—this might be my favorite one yet. This week, I met with Chef Partner Jihan Lee of Nami Nori, the Japanese restaurant known for its open-style temaki, with locations in the West Village, Williamsburg, and Montclair, New Jersey, and Miami, Florida.

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Jihan spent years in some of the city’s most notable kitchens, including Morimoto and Zuma, before joining Kappo Masa under chef Masa Takayama—the only three-Michelin-starred sushi chef in the U.S. He also caters Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton private events in Paris. Most recently, Pharrell became a partner in Nami Nori’s two new Miami locations.

Below, Jihan shares his favorite restaurants in NYC, the best meal he’s had in the city this year, his go-to bars and boutiques, and the spots he’s most excited to try next.

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Welcome to a very special edition of The Relisher! This week, I met with culinary legend Alice Waters, best known as the chef and founder of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, the restaurant that helped launch the farm-to-table movement and define California cuisine.

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Since Chez Panisse’s opening in 1971, Alice has become one of the most influential figures in American food. She was the first woman to win the James Beard Award for Best Chef in America, has written several acclaimed cookbooks—including Chez Panisse Cooking and The Art of Simple Food. Most recently, she was featured in Netflix’s Chef’s Table: Legends and appeared alongside Meghan Markle in With Love, Meghan during the season finale.

Below, Alice shares her favorite places in the Bay Area—from restaurants and farmers markets to where she grabs a quick bite or a glass of wine—plus her favorite restaurants around the world.

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This week, we’re in Lisbon with Rodolfo Lavrador — the executive chef of Michelin-starred CURA at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. Lavrador has become one of Lisbon’s most exciting chefs: he grew up with classic Portuguese cooking, trained abroad, and is now at the helm of one of the city’s most in-demand dining rooms.

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Since taking over the kitchen in early 2025, CURA has maintained its Michelin star and earned a feature in World’s 50 Best Discovery. Most recently, it debuted on La Liste 2026 — the global restaurant index that ranks the world’s top dining destinations using a data-driven scoring system — reaffirming its position among the world’s finest restaurants.

Below, one of Lisbon’s best chefs shares all of his favorite places in the city. What makes this edition special is that Rodolfo takes you to the places Lisbon chefs actually eat — not the obvious spots, but the ones with real character: the sushi counter Portuguese chefs call the best in Europe, the traditional tavern where the squid and pork cheeks are among the city’s best bites, the historic tea shop known for its teas from the Azores — Portugal’s Atlantic islands — and more.

A Google Map with all locations is included at the end of the interview.

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