2025 in Review
50 writeups in 2025, across 5 cities, 54 Michelin stars, and many of the world’s best restaurants.
The Single Best Meal in 2025
Row on 5 was mind-blowingly amazing! Nearly perfect execution, innovative dishes, and an extremely fun experience. Definitely my top pick for the year, and probably one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. Well worth the trouble of getting a reservation if you’re in London. I’m looking to trying their sister restaurant, Row on 45, if and when I drop by Dubai.
The Roundup
I’m usually pretty positive on most places I visit, but when we’re forced to stack rank every restaurant against each other, the knives come out. There’s very little objectivity in my ranking, and happiness is often the gap between expectations and reality.
Being in D tier, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s terrible restaurant - it may have had an off day, or wasn’t as great in comparison to the many other great restaurants I went to. I could be just an “Eh. Let’s try somewhere else next time” and a shrug.
S Tier
Wow! Mind Blown. Would go back to the city just to revisit.
A Tier
Really, really solid and a great experience. Wouldn’t necessarily go to that city to repeat, but would definitely visit if I’m in town.
B Tier
Interesting, well executed. Above Expectations.
C Tier
Kind neat. Wasn’t bad. Around where I had expectations. Would go back, just not in a hurry.
D Tier
Shrugs. Maybe some redeeming dishes, but probably wouldn’t return.