1. Speceriet, Stockholm, Sweden
“I don’t think it’s a trend, but an evolution,” says chef Jacob Holmström of one Michelin-star restaurant Gastrologik, on high-profile chefs going casual. He and partner chef Anton Bjuhr opened sister restaurant Speceriet literally next door to Gastrologik to give both fine-dining gourmands and foodies with tighter budgets a chance to enjoy their culinary creations in a more casual setting.
SEE ALSO: 10 affordable Michelin-star eateries around the world you must try
2. Made Nice, New York City, US
Chef Daniel Humm’s much-anticipated casual restaurant Made Nice has budget-conscious foodies lining up for well-priced dishes akin to those served at his three Michelin-star Eleven Madison Park. Tantalising creations include the seared hanger steak over charred broccoli, and watermelon and quinoa salad with crisp pistachios and cream feta.
3. Nightingale, Vancouver, Canada
“There’s always room for gourmet-style food in a casual setting; good food is good food,” says chef David Hawksworth of the award-winning Hawksworth Restaurant. His casual eatery Nightingale focuses on affordable dishes, such as wood-fired pizzas starting at $15 Canadian dollars (roughly US$12).
SEE ALSO: Celebrity chef restaurants worth travelling the world to dine at
4. Tasty Kitchen, Osnabrück, Germany
Chef Thomas Bühner likens a meal at his three Michelin-star La Vie to an opera-house visit: not something you’d want to experience every day. “I want to create a concept like a cinema visit, which you can experience more often.” And so Tasty Kitchen was born; it offers a seasonal menu featuring shared plates.
5. Brasserie Colette, Europe
Chef Tim Raue is known for his eponymous Berlin restaurant as well as casual brasserie, Colette, which has branches around Germany. “People like to get great value for money,” says Raue. “We (fine-dining chefs) can deliver because we know how to create great food.” At the Berlin branch (above), he serves up a three-course lunch menu for €24 (US$28) which includes options like Moroccan ragout with chickpeas, dates and cucumbers; and goose leg with croissant dumpling, red cabbage and cranberry salad.
6. Carne, South America
Going back to his roots, chef Mauro Colagreco has opened a series of burger joints – three to date – in his hometown of La Plata, Argentina. With his two Michelin-star Mirazur in Menton, France, to his name, expect gourmet burgers done well with crispy fries to please even vegetarians – yes, there is a mushroom burger for good measure.
7. 108, Copenhagen, Denmark
This casual spin-off of Rene Redzepi’s acclaimed Noma in Copenhagen already has a Michelin star, with offerings such as miso-lacquered monkfish and salt-baked celeriac.
8. Eneko at One Aldwych, Bilbao, Spain
Chef Eneko Atxa, of the three Michelin-star restaurant Azurmendi in Bilbao, Spain, puts a modern spin on Basque dishes with creations such as suckling pig tempura at his new restaurant in London’s One Aldwych hotel.
9. Du’s Donuts & Coffee, New York, US
Chef Wylie Dufresne’s deceptively simple shop selling doughnuts and coffee in Brooklyn has foodies lining up at 7am for the sweet treats, in flavours such as Honey Fennel Pollen.
– TEXT BY MICHELE TCHEA
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED, NIGHTINGALE FACEBOOK, RESTAURANT LA VIE OSNABRÜCK FACEBOOK, 108 FACEBOOK, ENEKO AT ONE ALDWYCH FACEBOOK, BRASSERIE COLETTE (NILS HASENAU)
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
