Ki-Sho
Chef Kazuhiro Hamamoto trained in some of the best restaurants in Kyoto, and also spent time at Waku Ghin in Singapore. He now works his alchemy at Ki-Sho (meaning "master craftsman"), transforming fabulous seasonal ingredients into exquisite dishes that will wow even jaded palates. Omakase sets start at S$150 for lunch and S$300 for dinner.

Roast Paradise
Young first-time hawkers Randall and Kai bring KL-style char siu or char siew to Singapore. They use pork belly and jowl (premium meat) that's been marinated overnight and roast it for 3-4 hours. The result is tender and luscious BBQ pork with a sweetly caramelized glaze. Try the Hakka noodles - light wheat noodles tossed in pork lard and garlic oil - accompanied by the decadent char siu.

Weera Thai
Pad Thai is one of those dishes we reflexively order in Thai restaurants whenever we’re looking for something familiar and comforting. Typically it contains shrimp, beef, squid or chicken along with a mélange of rice noodles, eggs, peppers and various veggies. Peter Weera simplifies things at the recently face-lifted Weera Thai by festooning his noodles with crispy (and quite spicy) roasted duck breast to create a rich and satisfying alternative to this same old same old Siamese staple. It, along with an expanded menu of Northern, Isaan and Laotian specialties, have signaled Weera’s entry into Las Vegas’s big-time Thai – providing serious competition to the venerable Lotus of Siam and Chada Thai. Be careful when you order, though. Even specifying “medium hot” will have you reaching for the fire hose on some of these dishes.

La Colombe
At this elegant vineyard restaurant on the Silvermist wine estate in Constantia, British chef Scot Kirton rustles up skillful contemporary cuisine with local ingredients that combines French and Asian techniques and flavors. Look for such classics as smoked tomato risotto and miso-seared scallops. His signature dish, Lilliputian seared tuna tataki, is served with spelt-and-oat bread. And olive-Parmesan bread sticks arrive with herbed butter. The service is as sophisticated as the setting. Amid a décor of cool whites and its namesake, dove grey, the restaurant is like a modern lodge perched on the side of the mountain. Soak up the views of the Constantia valley.

Harbour House - Kalk Bay
Situated on the water’s edge in the picturesque harbor of Kalk Bay, this seafood restaurant boosts exquisite views of False Bay and the Hottentots Mountain Range. The menu showcases the best of local seafood. Look for such dishes as Sautéed Smoked Paprika Calamari, Mozambique Style Tiger Prawns and Grilled Cape Crayfish.

The Bungalow
Curl up on a cushioned bench on the sun-dappled deck at the edge of the continent to enjoy a craft cocktail and seafood fresh from the surf. This Euro-chic restaurant and lounge is awash in Mediterranean colors that play off a white-washed beach cabin motif. Enjoy a meal under a billowing white awning, or dangle your feet in the bar-side splash pool. The menu ranges from light bistro lunches to creative sushi and complete dinners. On the sushi menu, consider ordering the Salmon Roses. Artfully designed, each piece is topped with a generous amount of caviar. Not a sushi lover? Consider the Madagascar steak with peppercorns and a reduced cream and mustard sauce. Want to linger over you meal? A DJ creates a club atmosphere by night. Reservations are a must.

The Bombay Bicycle Club
For an evening of eccentric eating with a dash of austere silliness, check out the Bombay Bicycle Club. There’s a good chance an entertaining wait-staff will ask you to select from a slew of burlesque hats to wear during dinner. The outlandish and colorful décor is a hoarder's delight, complete with trapeze swing chair and, obviously, bicycles. A house specialty is the Chilli Chocolate Steak. The chocolate-chilli infused steak, cooked to medium-rare perfection, arrives drenched in the infused marinade. A hint of the chilli offsets the sweet, enticing your taste buds for more.

Kloof Street House
At the foot of Cape Town’s vibrant Kloof Street, folks looking to celebrate an occasion or enjoy a special night out head to this opulent Victorian house for its live jazz Sunday bunch, romantic candle-lit dinners and cocktails under the stars in a fairy-lit garden. The brasserie-style menu features Mediterranean-inspired fare with a distinctly South African twist. Dishes range from pan-fried Halloumi cheese with a dukkah spice blend and honey; baked whole Camembert with caramelized onions and cranberry jelly; Moroccan-spiced lamb rump with tahini dressing, and Norwegian salmon with braised fennel. Pro tip: Save space for the salted caramel cheesecake with popcorn sorbet for dessert. It’s to die for.

Yourstruly
Founded in 2010 as a cozy coffee shop and traveling coffee cart on Long Street, Yours Truly has grown into a Cape Town institution with four shops in the city. The café’s flagship store opened in 2014 on Kloof Street, immersed in greenery under Jacaranda trees. Cafe by day and beer garden by night, local artists exhibit their art on the café walls while owner Daniel Holland serves deluxe coffees, craft beers, gourmet sandwiches and thin-crust pizzas to a loyal following. Yours Truly is a great place to stop for drinks and a bite before a night on the town.

Hatch and Sons
Smack in the center of Ireland's busy capital and tucked neatly under The Little Museum of Dublin, Hatch & Sons is the perfect stop for breakfast. The traditional Irish menu includes a section of Waterford blaas, doughy white bread buns that have been granted protected status by the EU. The name is derived from the French word blaad, for leftover dough, or blanc, for white (referring to the flour). About the size of a saucer, a blaa is finished with a flour dusting. With a nice crusty top, it’s perfect for making a sandwich. I recommend Hatch & Son’s blaa with Wicklow cheddar, roast Irish ham, relish, tomato and rapeseed mayo. All of the flavors in this breakfast sandwich meld perfectly and I couldn't get enough of it. It was good till the last bite. The coffee, decor and service are also exceptional. I may have found a new favorite spot in Dublin.