Dishes may be just a moment on the lips, but the flavors, scents, flavor combinations, and textures — like those of Proust’s madeleines — are memorized for years to come. A bite of pesto takes me right back to the Piazzetta in Portofino, watching the chic set dock their yachts in the harbour. The pungent aroma of truffles takes me to Piedmont, sitting among the red-leaved vines under a fresh, autumn-blue sky. While eating grilled fish, I can almost hear Lisbon’s trams rattle by. All of these foods evoke layer upon layer of happy memories and sensory nostalgia.
As the world’s best chefs celebrated this month’s San Pellegrino & Acqua Panna World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, we diligently took notes, dotted and planned our vacation itineraries and weekend getaways based on the winners . Some restaurants are really worth the trip.
Of course, not all crème de la crème restaurants are within reach. Waiting lists and high prices are barriers – but those willing to embark on a culinary adventure are rewarded with dozens of award-winning meals that fly under the radar for a fraction of the price. Numerous esteemed chefs have opened more affordable spin-off restaurants in scenic locations, where you can sample their signature flavors and understand their skills. And culinary greats, such as Franco Pepe, can turn a cheap slice of pizza into a gourmet experience.
Read on for our list of the top 10 affordable destination restaurants to visit this summer…
Auberge du Cep
Fleurie, France
Nestled among the picturesque, rolling hills of Beaujolais, the pink-walled and green-shuttered Auberge du Cep offers a daily market menu well worth a detour. Chef Aurélien Mérot skillfully draws on the rich richness of the surrounding terroir to offer the very best of French cuisine. Traditional sweetbreads, foie gras and pistachio-mustard pâté en croûte can be followed by chicken cooked in Fleurie wine – and the cheese wagon treasures can be paired with local wines if desired. For a great epicurean experience, try the fixed market menu for £23 (00 33 4 74 04 10 77; aubergeducep.com).
How to do that: Stay at the nearby Auberge Les Hauts de Chénas, with a swimming pool and wine museum, from £85 per night (00 33 4 74 06 76 31; hautsdechenas.fr).
Mini-bar
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal’s sole representative on this year’s list of 50 best restaurants, José Avillez’s Belcanto restaurant has two Michelin stars – but here at Mini Bar you get a taste and feel for its cuisine without the cost. You can create your own meal from the wide variety of “acts” on the menu (the restaurant was formerly housed in an old theater), but for me it’s the little things that say the most. Try the Algarve Prawns Marinated in Lime, the Roasted Chicken with Avocado Cream, Smoked Cottage Cheese, Piri-Piri and Lemon, and Beef Croquette with Truffle Dijonnaise, priced at £10, £5 and £6 respectively (00 351 21 130 5393; minibar.pt).
How to do that: Stay at Teatro B&B, keeping the theatrical theme, for £147 per night (00 351 213 472 024; tearobbb.com)