News to Know in the World of Fine Dining This December

What news do you need to know in the world of fine dining, food and wine this December 2019 to keep up in conversation with your foodie friends? Our Food Editor Nicole Douillet has the top 5 headlines from the world of food, wine and craft beer this month.

news to know in the world of fine dining this december 2019

Every month our Food Editor Nicole Douillet gives us her inside take on the top 5 things to know from the world of food and fine dining. This month, a new “burlesque” restaurant opens in the Bowery in New York. Starbucks is serving cocktails in Shanghai. And the 2020 Michelin Guide has dropped an iconic sushi counter in Tokyo from its list.

Curious about the big events in the world of fine food, wine, spirits and craft beer this month? Click here.

what you need to know in the world of fine dining this month

1. a “burlesque” restaurant opens up on Bowery

A new restaurant slated to open on the Bowery in NYC this week will bring new meaning to dinner and a show.

Mister French will open in a 4,600 square foot space and feature food from celebrity chef David Burke in collaboration with executive chef, Guillaume Thivet. Sounds normal, right? However, three nights a week, the dining room will be transformed into a burlesque stage and will feature magicians roaming the floor to entertain diners.

If you’re not in the mood for a show, there will also be a bar area, the “Solarium” and the Atrium which features an eight-seat counter in the open kitchen. And, don’t worry LA peeps – a Mister French is planned for LA in 2020.

2. from white truffles to bay scallops

As the days shorten and grow colder, there are a couple of things that New York restaurant-goers can anticipate brightening their days. The first is white truffles, which high-end restaurants will be shaving over everything from risotto to veal chops to gelato (I’m looking at you, Lilia!).

The other is that it’s the season for the small, sweet Peconic Bay scallops. The bay scallop season typically runs from the beginning of November through March. But this season has seen a 90% drop in the number of scallops being harvested. And it’s not for lack of trying.

In years past, fish markets could expect to receive 1,000 pounds of bay scallops per day. But this year, they’re lucky to get 20 pounds per day. This has meant steep prices for the delicacy, going from about $20 per pound to $39 per pound.

Researchers from the Cornell Cooperative Extension believe that the cause is either an increase in the water temperature, decrease in the oxygen level, or very hungry predators. Some of the baymen who harvest the scallops are expecting an increase in supply come February. Here’s hoping they’re right!

3.  cocktails, wine, and beer at Shanghai’s Starbucks

Starbucks has added Bar Mixato to its Reserve Roastery in Shanghai. Through Bar Mixato, Starbucks intertwines its passion for coffee with the art of cocktail mixology. By day, visitors can enjoy Starbucks Reserve Coffee.

But when the sun begins to set, customers can head to the second floor, where they can choose between 11 coffee and tea based cocktails. Wine, Italian apertivo, draft beer and classic cocktails will be also be available. As well as a carefully-curated menu of food items meant to pair with each cocktail. Since opening the first Roastery in 2017, Starbucks has used the format as a testing ground for innovative retail ideas. Watch this space for updates on when you might see a cocktail bar at the Roastery near you.

4. a friends and family week from davies and brook

For London restaurant-goers, the wait is almost over. Davies and Brook is hosting Friends and Family this week in an effort to iron out any last-minute wrinkles in the food or service.

Then, beginning on December 9, 2019, Londoners will be able to enjoy the food of chef Daniel Humm in their own city. Davies and Brook will be open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, serving three different tasting menus.

The menus are divided into cold appetizers, warm appetizers, main, and dessert. Diners may choose one appetizer, a main and a dessert for GBP 72. Or one cold appetizer, one warm appetizer, one main and one dessert for GBP 96. Or for the full experience, diners can choose the chef’s tasting menu, which features seven courses for GBP 145.

Check the Claridge’s website to make reservations. But be forewarned, dear reader: the restaurant is fully-committed through the end of December.

5. world-renowned chef loses Michelin stars over policy

Many of you have probably seen the 2011 documentary, “Jiro Dreams of Sushi,” which catapulted chef Jiro Ono into the international spotlight. Chef Ono’s exclusive 10-seat subterranean sushi counter, Sukiyabashi Jiro in Tokyo’s Ginza district, is perhaps the hardest reservation in the world to secure.

At this time, the seats are strictly reserved for regulars, dignitaries (President Obama famously dined there with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe), and friends of the chef. And, now this policy has cost the chef his prestigious three Michelin stars. Although Sukiyabashi Jiro was the first sushi restaurant to achieve three Michelin stars, the guide has removed the restaurant from its list. A spokesperson for Michelin said that the purpose of the guide is to “introduce restaurants where everybody can go to eat.”

Somehow, I don’t think this demotion will impact demand for those coveted counter seats, where the 94-year-old chef personally prepares all 20 courses in the omakase menu. The desire for that experience has nothing to do with Michelin stars.

the news you should know in the world of fine dining december 2019

That’s it. That’s the top news to know in the world of fine dining this December. You’re good to go – have a great month!

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Nicole Douillet is a Wall Street executive and lifelong lover of food and drink. She is currently the Food Editor of Dandelion Chandelier, and a senior advisor to several fintech companies. Nicole serves on the Advisory Council for Action Against Hunger | ACF International. She is a former junior Olympic skier, serial restaurant regular, and two-time chili cook-off champion. She lives with her wife and two little ones in Williamsburg, Brooklyn where her kids’ favorite neighborhood restaurant is Lilia. Nicole is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

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