We knew our visit to Counter in Charlotte, NC would be a unique experience. Counter is part restaurant, part concert, part theater, part art and a completely immersive sensory experience. And somehow, through all of that, the food never gets lost.

Our dining destinations usually focus on New York City, Chicago, Dubai and Florida. After this meal, we can officially add New Orleans to that list because we will absolutely be coming back to eat at Emeril’s. We knew Emeril’s would be good. We were not prepared for just how good.

A trip to Miami always includes a trip to Ariete. It has become one of those restaurants we recommend without hesitation to anyone who wants to experience a side of Miami dining that is ambitious and highly technical, but still warm, comfortable, and genuinely hospitable.

The restaurant itself is beautiful. While L’Atelier upstairs is darker and more dramatic, Le Jardinier feels bright, open, and distinctly Miami, think emeralds and gilded gold. There is also a lush outdoor garden area that fits naturally into the Design District setting.

Stubborn Seed puts up some seriously beautiful food and it is delicious. We have been a few times when visiting Miami, and you know you are off to a good start when your server says, “Chef recommends using your hands.”

There is an energy to Atera that we absolutely loved. It is sophisticated without feeling overly formal, and while the cooking is incredibly serious, the experience itself remains warm and engaging.

Unfortunately, Francie was one of the most disappointing dining experiences we've had in a while. When you have to ask whether you actually have a server, you probably have a good indication of where the evening is going.

We think Corima is a fantastic restaurant to bring children, particularly children who are already adventurous eaters or families looking to introduce them to tasting menus. The atmosphere is relaxed and approachable, which removes some of the intimidation that can come with fine dining, while the menu provides an opportunity to experience ingredients, techniques, and even history they may not encounter elsewhere.

Odo is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant from Chef Hiroki Odo offering an intimate kaiseki experience. Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course meal built around seasonality, balance, technique, and presentation.

Sushi Nakazawa offers two omakase experiences. The Classic Menu focuses exclusively on approximately twenty pieces of nigiri, while the Chef's Menu incorporates both nigiri and prepared dishes.

On our last trip to New York City, Emma wasn’t with us, so when we returned as a family, we knew we had to circle back to Jungsik so she could add this three-Michelin-starred Korean restaurant to her portfolio. You can read more about our first experience here, but this visit gave us the opportunity to revisit some favorites, add a few enhancements, and most importantly, experience Jungsik together as a family.

Some restaurants leave an impression. Ever becomes part of your family's story.

Some restaurants change their menu. Next changes its identity. Transporting guests to Manhattan during the height of the financial boom, the evening celebrates the excess, confidence, and unmistakable glamour of the late 1980s.

The dining room centers around a beautiful hinoki wood counter, creating an intimate setting where every guest has a clear view of the chefs at work. The atmosphere is refined without feeling formal, allowing the focus to remain where it belongs: on the food and the experience. The sake pairings were exactly what we hoped they would be. One standout was a limited seasonal release that immediately earned a place in our collection: Ohmine Summer's Arrival Junmai Daiginjo from J

In our effort to visit all of the current three-star restaurants, Jungsik was one of the final two on our list. Three-star Korean cuisine feels like a meaningful addition to any culinary passport, and from the moment we arrived, it was clear this experience fully earns its place. This was fine dining at its most elegant refined, intentional, and effortlessly luxurious. A beautifully composed experience that ranks among our most memorable meals in recent memory.

Salmon and Beet A recent work trip to New York City gave us the opportunity to explore a few new dining destinations, one of them being Aquavit the two-Michelin-starred restaurant since 2015, known for its refined, modern Scandinavian cuisine. We were especially excited for this reservation because Scandinavian dining is still a relatively new chapter in our culinary journey. Our first true introduction came through Elske, and that experience sparked a curiosity to continue l

Our latest adventure led us to Next, a themed restaurant in Chicago known for its ever-evolving menus and immersive culinary storytelling.

EL Ideas proudly holds a Michelin star. From the very first course, one you literally lick off the plate, you know you’re in for something unexpected. There’s no separation between guest and kitchen here. You’re encouraged to wander, chat with the chefs, and watch each dish come to life. There are no servers; instead, the chef who created each dish personally introduces it to you.

Kasama is, in our memory, the first true hybrid restaurant we’ve experienced, shifting from a casual Filipino café by day to an intimate tasting menu by night. Two distinct formats, but there’s a consistency in execution and vision that ties it all together seamlessly.

From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear that Chef Michael Beltran had created something truly special. Ariete isn’t just about beautiful plates and elevated flavors, it’s about precision, passion, and a team that operates in perfect sync.