Ralph's burger | cheriecity.co.uk

2013 has been a year of amazing foodie adventures, from low-key, local discoveries to hot Michelin-starred restaurants on the other side of the world.

My biggest highlight of the year was visiting China twice and being blown away by the incredible, authentic food there, particularly the addictive dim sum.

It’s been a year of trying new delicacies such as sea cucumber and abalone, embracing the joys of halloumi and finding some of the best burgers ever.

It’s tough to narrow them down to a small list, but here are some of my favourite foodie moments from 2013…

Temple Restaurant Beijing

Housed in a Ming Dynasty Tibetan temple with slick, contemporary interiors, Temple Restaurant Beijing is one of the coolest places to eat in Beijing. The five course Weekend Brunch is fabulous and surprisingly well-priced.

Le Castiglione Paris

Loved by Sofia Coppola and Lara Stone, Le Casti burger at Le Castiglione on rue Saint-Honoré, oozes deliciousness and is truly worthy of its legendary status.

Lardo, London

With the best pizzas in Hackney and tempting antipasti, Lardo is my new favourite local Italian restaurant and well worth a visit.

Ralph’s, Paris

The stylish restaurant inside the Ralph Lauren flagship store brings a touch of New England country club chic to the Left Bank. It’s a must for a juicy, American style Ralph’s Burger or a drink in the stunning courtyard.

L’Abeille at Shangri-La Paris

It was a delight to dine at two Michelin star restaurant L’Abeille and have the pleasure of meeting Executive Chef Philippe Labbé during my stay at Shangri-La Paris. There is real artistry in the food and it’s a beautifully choreographed, unforgettable dining experience.

Asiate at Mandarin Oriental New York

I adored the fun, bento brunch concept and exquisite food, matched with spectacular views over Central Park at Asiate at Mandarin Oriental New York.

The Bar at Hôtel Costes, Paris

This is the first year I’ve braved walking into Hôtel Costes and it was surprisingly relaxed and atmospheric with charming staff. The cocktails are expensive and tend not to veer far from the classics (mine was a Negroni), but it’s worth visiting at least once for a chic drink and some tasty bar plates.

Street Feast, London

2013 was the year that London street food really upped its game with more adventurous food and elaborate settings than ever. My Street Feast summer love-in was a flurry of dreamy burgers from Mother Flipper and Honest Burger, The Rib Man’s insanely tasty pulled pork rolls and lobster mac and cheese at B.O.B’s Lobster.

Night Tales, London

While Street Feast moved over to Hawker House, Night Tales kept the party going in Dalston with incredible Patty & Bun burgers, Hot Negronis, QuiQuiRiQui Mezcal cocktails, Le Petit Paris French toast and seriously delicious Soya Milk Fried Chicken and Steamed Pork Buns by BAO.

Sweet Revenge, New York

Bringing together cupcakes and booze, Sweet Revenge is one of the coolest spots in the West Village for an afternoon indulgence. I recommend the signature Sweet Revenge® cupcake with a cup of Spiked Spiced Cider.

Duddell’s, Hong Kong

The first restaurant within an art gallery in Hong Kong, Duddell’s has the feel of a private member’s club and serves superior dim sum and innovative cocktails.

Tony’s Taverna, Cyprus

I’ve been a little late to the halloumi party, but I now can’t get enough of it after trying the very best fried and baked local cheeses, alongside other delicious meze, at Tony’s Taverna and Taverna Mousikos in Cyprus.

DinTaiFung, Shanghai

The dim sum at the Asian super chain Din Tai Fung is definitely worth shouting about. It was here that I first tried Xiao Long Bao (meat or fish dumplings filled with broth) and learned how to eat them gracefully, without them exploding into a hot, soupy mess.

What was your top foodie discovery of 2013? Where are your new favourite restaurants?

All photos by Chérie City

On my recent trip to Paris for the European launch of Detroit watch brand Shinola, we continued the ‘Americans in Paris’ theme with lunch at Ralph’s on the Left Bank. Really, what could better celebrate ‘Made in America’ than Ralph Lauren?

Ralph’s is housed in the impressive Ralph Lauren flagship store within a renovated 17th century townhouse on the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Opened in 2010, it’s the second Ralph Lauren restaurant, following the RL Restaurant in Chicago.

Ralph’s features a stylish dining room, cosy bar and a pretty courtyard, which is the place to see and be seen in the warmer months.

The design of Ralph’s is New England country club chic with refined Parisian touches. It is full of old world charm with dark wood panelling, oil paintings of animals, equestrian accessories, worn leather banquettes and quirky highlights of leopard print and tartan. On each table are the most exquisite red roses and Ralph Lauren tableware, plus the waiting staff look dapper in striped blue and white shirts and pinstripes.

Ralph’s has been well-received in Paris (Ralph Lauren was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, after all) and it attracts a crowd of well-heeled locals, fashion industry folk and home-sick Americans.

We were seated close to the limestone open fireplace and were swiftly brought bowls of scrumptious deep-fried green olives to snack on.

Ralph’s is known for its authentic American-style burgers and there are six to choose from on the menu. Some of our group went for the spicy Santa Fe Burger (€33) with tobacco onions, sliced jalapenos, Cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce and I went for the classic Ralph’s Burger (€29).

My medium-cooked burger was juicy and lean, packed between fresh red onions, pickles, heirloom tomatoes, lettuce, gooey Cheddar cheese and flavoursome crispy bacon, served on a toasted sesame bun. The substantial burger was served with crunchy American Farmstead Garden Slaw and a generous amount of well-seasoned ranch style fries. Little pots of Heinz ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise in a silver pot were placed on the table without the need to request them.

Unlike the current trend for ‘dirty burgers’ oozing with meat juice, Ralph’s burgers are refined and high end, made with the best quality Black Angus beef sourced from Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch.

None of us had room for dessert, however, Stateside delights such as Ralph’s Brownies, Key Lime Pie and Ralph’s Favourites (an American take on a café gourmand) certainly looked tempting.

We finished our lunch with a pot of Fresh Mint Tea, which came served in an engraved silver teapot with pretty blue and white Ralph Lauren china cups.

We were treated to an enormous pot of sticky caramel popcorn to accompany our teas and coffees – a fun alternative to the usual petits fours.

Ralph’s is the perfect spot for delicious American comfort food and a bit of people watching in a stunning setting. It’s certainly pricey (considerably more than Chicago’s RL Restaurant), but for a taste of the East Coast on the Left Bank, it’s worth splashing out. Look out for the next Ralph Lauren restaurant in New York at his upcoming Polo flagship store in 5th Avenue at 55th Street.

For more information, visit: www.ralphlaurenstgermain.com

Chérie City was a guest of Shinola