Category 4 of the awards is for restaurants. Really I spoiled myself again this year in the eating out category.
In Girne – well I knew where to go, and had plenty choice! However the best was a new place. Beşparmak Bufavento was amazing – spectacular in terms of the quality and quantity of the food, plus a fabulous view.
I seem to have become a creature of habit in Istanbul. Can Restoran (in Fatih, close to the Blue Mosque) for a main course followed by Mado a few doors along for a dessert. It’s a great habit.
I know Toulouse so well, and the food is so good everywhere! So is the wine. Le Dahu in rue des Blanchers was the best during my 2018 visit.
The same can be said about Vilnius, and of course I had three visits during 2018. Sunday lunch revolving around the TV Tower was amazing. Good food, good company, amazing views and great memories. It is called the Paukščių takas restaurant (Milky Way) and it is at a height of 165 metres.
I also enjoyed fantastic local food at Joanos Carinovos Smuklė as well as Georgian delights at Chačapuri Sodų.
I had a superb lunch in Kaunas when I returned to the place where I ate in 2015 – Medžiotojų užeiga on Rotušės a. Great traditional food and a lovely location.
In Copenhagen I really enjoyed the smørrebrød. There’s a wee place called Centrum on Vesterbrogade, opposite the front entrance to the Central Station… Excellent. Nothing fancy – just great food.
Café Rouge In Sheffield is a place I’ve eaten before and they did not let me down. It is solid French bistrot type food.
An Lanntair in Stornoway was the best out of the few places I ate while traveling in Scotland. Good food, a relaxed atmosphere and a view out over the harbour.
Christmas dinner was Middle Eastern food (think about it) at Fafa’s in Helsinki. Delicious!
Beşparmak Bufavento has to be in the top 3. Joanos Carinovos Smuklė too. The last slot goes to Paukščių takas.
OK. Decision time! The winner is Joanos Carinovos Smuklė. The food was great. So was the place, and the company too.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2019 🏴🇪🇺