Updated May 14, 2025

Paris

Automne
(11 Rue Richard Lenoir, 11th) French/Japanese
automne-akishige.com

An odd choice for Easter Sunday lunch? Maybe, but considering the few options and my love for Japanese food, Edward surprised me and what a treat it was! A menu découverte in 7 small courses was surprising, delicious and to me included some of my favorite food prepared exquisitely: a poached oyster with cabbage, hazelnut and coriandere, white asparagus, morels, fresh spring peas with rabbit loin, a small piece of buttery beef from Mézanc with green asparagus and black truffle and dessert with strawberry and rhubarb.

New York

Ilili
(236 5th Avenue) Lebanese
ililirestaurants.com

A trendy Lebanese spot that rejoices all our European friends for sharing plates. The hummus is addictive and so is the tabbouleh and the baba ghannouj if you love eggplants. Some of us rave about the falafel, Brussels sprouts and its accessories, grilled octopus, but frankly each visit has been more than delicious, and by now we have tasted most of the dishes and recommend the place highly.

Odo
(17 W 20th Street) Japanese
odo.nyc

Tough to get a reservation but addictive once you’ve tried it. Chef Odo offers a rather unique experience of Japanese sophistication with a type of vegan cooking originating in zen buddhism. Unique indeed and seemingly contradictory but it works marvels. The menu is kaiseki with only a choice of the day. The place is unique too as a former speakeasy and service is sensationally professional. The homemade ramen made me wish to go back to Kyoto but then having Odo a few blocks from home makes the trip easier and hopefully for more special occasions through the year as it is for now probably my favorite NYC spot.