This year, I came across a short documentary on YouTube called "Evolution of the Snow Country", where a crisp, monochrome, ink-painting-like world created by winter snow that blankets Niigata looks the most impressive when the train passes through those tunnels.

In 1986, a 17-year-old named Quique Dacosta stumbled upon the doors of El Poblet restaurant in the coastal town of Denia near Valencia, Spain, by a serendipitous chance. Little did he know that behind those doors lay his future and destiny. El Poblet not only became the cradle of his culinary skills but also deeply influenced his cooking style.

What used to be an old cable car station at an altitude of 2,275m on the summit of Kronplatz in the Dolomite Mountains became AlpiNN, a restaurant standing next to Lumen, a museum dedicated to mountain photography. The restaurant was designed by Martino Gamper, a designer of international fame, to become a convivial space where he combined naturalness of the mountains with clean, modern lines.

Cocina Hermanos Torres is a magical fine dining restaurant founded in late 2017 by renowned Catalan twin chefs Sergio and Javier Torres in the Les Corts neighborhood of Barcelona. Five years after opening, Cocina Hermanos Torres received three Michelin stars in 2022 and a Green Star for its sustainability efforts.

Tokyo's Michelin two-starred restaurant Florilège has been temporarily closed since this 20 July and will be moving to a new location. For many people, this would be a reluctant farewell to the delicious memories they have had here.

Strolling through the hutong alleys of Dongsi Shiyitiao, compared to the last time I visited Beijing I seem to have stepped into a different world, where natural light penetrates and greenery abounds. The architectural style of Qu Lang Yuan is very charming and full of Chinese elements. Old structures, red bricks and tiles are cherished and beautifully preserved. Qu Lang Yuan has been a hot topic among diners, and as soon as you step through the entrance, you will hear the cheerful voice of Chef Li Zhanxu.

The most exciting restaurants in the world often require effort to reach. To visit Iris, one must fly to Bergen, Norway, then drive or take a two-hour boat ride before boarding a ferry.