Sunday, December 31, 2023

Best of the Best 2023

Sunday, December 31, 2023    No comments

Which are the best restaurants, spas, and travel destinations? 

At the end of 2023, I am rating the following (in order of best to worst) based on my personal experience.


Restaurants

Even though Michelin has not rated it, Mama's Fish House on Maui is our favorite restaurant worldwide. Mama's Fish House combines an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere with exceptional cooking and a magnificent tropical setting (overlooking Maui's North Shore, near the famous Ho'okipa Beach) to create an unforgettable dining experience using only the freshest fish caught on Maui.

At the end of 2023, I am rating the following (in order of best to worst) based on my personal experience.

  1. Mama's Fish House, Maui, Hawaii 
  2. The Plumed Horse, Saratoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  3. Lagoon Restaurant by Jean Georges, St. Regis, Bora-Bora, French Polynesia 
  4. Manresa, Los Gatos, CA (3 Michelin Stars) (closed)
  5. Solbar, Calistoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  6. Gary Danko, San Francisco, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  7. Ristrot Guivol, Turin, Italy
  8. Weinstube Baldreit, Baden-Baden, Germany 
  9. Plachutta, Vienna, Austria 
  10. Humuhumunukunuku'apua, Maui Hawaii 
  11. La Foret, San Jose, CA (Michelin Rated)
  12. Bouchon, Napa, CA  (Michelin Rated)
  13. Solo, Portland, Maine
  14. Araxi, Whistler, BC
  15. Cucina Rustica, Sedona, Arizona
  16. Eataly, WTC, New York City (and Munich)
  17. Tatte Bakey, Boston
  18. La Toque Restaurant, Napa, CA

SF Bay Area Restaurants

  1. The Plumed Horse, Saratoga, CA  (1 Michelin Star)
  2. Solbar, Calistoga, CA
  3. Bouchon, Napa, CA  (Michelin Rated)
  4. Foreign Cinema, San Francisco (bad neighborhood)
  5. Teleferic Barcelona, Los Gatos
  6. ASA Restaurant, Los Gatos
  7. Chez Philippe, Los Gatos
  8. Napizza, San Francisco
  9. Cote Ouest Bistro, San Francisco 
  10. Red House Cafe, Monterey
  11. Sotto Mare, San Francisco
  12. Passionfish, Monterey
  13. Cracked & Battered, Marina, San Francisco
  14. Golden Triangle, Los Gatos
  15. Lele Cake, San Jose 

SF Bay Area Coffee Shops

  1. Philz, Los Gatos, CA
  2. Captain + Stoker Cafe, Monterey, CA
  3. Equator Coffees, San Francisco, CA
  4. Blue Bottle, Los Gatos, CA
  5. Coffee People, Portland, OR

SF Bay Area Bakeries

  1. One65, San Francisco
  2. Tartine Bakery, San Francisco
  3. Bouchon, Napa
  4. Arsicault Bakery, San Francisco
  5. Schubert's Bakery, San Francisco (Cakes)
     

Dishes

Pizzeria

We have had pizza everywhere in the United States (New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, etc.), France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Japan. So far, our favorite pizza restaurant is Pizzaria D'Angeli in Naples, Italy. We also had fantastic pizza in Japan - at Pizzeria Mar-de Napoli in Tokyo.

  1. Pizzaria D'Angeli, Naples, Italy
  2. Pizzeria Scugnizzo, Turin, Italy
  3. Waikiki Pizza Restaurant, Bardonecchia, Italy
  4. Bricks Restaurant Pizza, Turin, Italy
  5. Don Kilo, Barcelona, Spain
  6. Napizza, San Francisco, CA
  7. Keste Pizza, Greenwich Village, New York City (Keste #1)
  8. Eataly, World Trade Center, New York City ("Capricciosa" pizza)
  9. Eataly Lingotto, Turin, Italy
  10. Pizzeria Mar-de Napoli, Tokyo, Japan ("DLC winner" pizza)
  11. Juliana's Pizza, Brooklyn, New York City (#1 Special)
  12. Hearthstone in Red Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Gelato and Ice Cream

We also really liked Fresco Gelateria in Sorrento. We also tried many exceptional gelaterias in Florence, Siena, Lake Como, Venice, and Lucca.
  1. Fresco Gelateria, Sorrento, Italy
  2. Gelato in Bologna, Italy (near Piazza Maggiore)
  3. Gelato in Florence, Siena, Lake Como, Venice, Lucca (Italy) 
  4. Fresco Sorrento Gelato, Sorrento, Italy
  5. DelaCrem, Barcelona, Spain
  6. Bacio di Latte, Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA
  7. Gio Gelati, San Francisco, CA
  8. Bella Gelateria, Vancouver, BC 
  9. Grom Gelateria, Turin, Italy
  10. Grom Gelateria, New York City (also in Florence and Siena) 
  11. Kamakura Gelato, Kamakura, Japan
  12. Eataly, New York City (and Munich)
  13. Gelateria La Romana, Turin, Italy
  14. Dolce Gelato, Laguna Beach

Spas

Our favorite spa is Aquadome, in Langenfeld, Austria (near Tyrol), but we also really liked the thermal baths in San Montano in Ischia, Italy.
  1. Aquadome, Langenfeld, Austria
  2. San Montano Resort & Spa, Ischia, Italy
  3. Friedrichsbad Therme, Baden-Baden, Germany 
  4. Caracalla Therme, Baden-Baden, Germany
  5. Alpentherme Gastein, Bad Hofgastein, Austria 
  6. Miri-Miri Spa by Clarens, St. Regis, Bora-Bora 
  7. Scandinave Spa, Whistler, Canada 
  8. Tabacon, Costa Rica 
  9. Spa LaQua, Tokyo, Japan
  10. Spa World, Osaka, Japan
  11. Solage, Calistoga, CA 
  12. Indian Springs, Calistoga, CA 

Hotels

Our favorite hotel is St. Regis in Bora Bora, Tahiti.
  1. St. Regis, Bora Bora, Tahiti, French Polynesia
  2. San Montano Resort e Spa, Ischia, Italy
  3. The Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico
  4. Nayara Springs Relais & Chateaux, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
  5. Makanda by the Sea, Costa Rica
  6. Tabacon Thermal Spa, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
  7. Hotel Davanzati, Florence, Italy

Books (all-time)
  1. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
  2. Night by Elie Wiesel
  3. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
  4. The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
  5. The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer
  6. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
  7. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
  8. 1984 by George Orwell
  9. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
  10. The Caine Mutiny by Herman Wouk
  11. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
  12. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
  13. Shogun by James Clavell
  14. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
  15. Sophie's Choice by William Styron
  16. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
  17. Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
Books (2023)
  1. Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada
  2. The Incredible Life of Hubert Wilkins by Peter FitzSimons
  3. The Second World Wars by Victor David Hanson
  4. James Cook: The Story Behind the Man Who Mapped the World by Peter FitzSimons
  5. Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum
  6. Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
  7. A War Like No Other by Victor David Hanson
  8. Batavia by Peter FitzSimons
  9. Nancy Wake by Peter FitzSimons
  10. Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen by the Sinai by Matti Friedman
  11. Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman
  12. Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana
  13. Hitch22 by Christopher Hitchens
  14. American Journey: On the Road with Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and John Burroughs by Wes Davis
 
Movies (all-time)
  1. The Godfather (1972)
  2. Schindler's List (1993)
  3. Casablanca (1942)
  4. Gone with the Wind (1939)
  5. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
  6. Dead Poet's Society (1989)
  7. High Noon (1952)
  8. 12 Angry Men (1957)
  9. The Lord of the Rings (2001)
  10. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
  11. The Matrix (1999)
  12. Sophie's Choice (1982)
  13. Goodfellas (1990)
  14. Amadeus (1984)
  15. Aliens (1986)
  16. All Quiet on the Western Front (1939)
  17. Good Morning Vietnam! (1987)
  18. Modern Times (1936)
  19. Das Boot (1981)
  20. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
  21. The Godfather, Part II (1974)
  22. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
  23. Unforgiven (1992)
  24. Point Break (1991)
  25. Double Indemnity (1944)
  26. Some Like It Hot (1959)
  27. Scarface (1983)
  28. Judgment at Nurenburg (1961)
  29. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
  30. Seven Samurai (1954)
  31. Groundhog Day (1993)
  32. Before Sunrise (1995)

Movies (2023)
  1. Oppenheimer

Miniseries (all-time)
  1. The Winds of War (1983)
  2. War and Remembrance  (1988)
  3. Band of Brothers (2001)
  4. The Pacific
  5. Pride & Prejudice (1995)
  6. Shogun (1980)
  7. Masada (1981)
  8. The Thorn Birds (1983)
  9. North & South (2004)
  10. Black Mirror (2011)


Rock Concerts

My favorite rock concert was Elton John's Made in England Tour at Tacoma Dome. It was my first Rock concert and a truly fantastic experience. I have been to his other concerts, i.e., the Red Piano in Las Vegas, but they had a different atmosphere and intensity.
  1. Elton John's Made in England Tour, Tacoma Dome, Washington on 9/9/1995 
  2. Leonard Cohen, HP Pavilion, San Jose, 11/7/2012. 
  3. The History of the Eagles, HP Pavilion, San Jose, 1/29/2013 
  4. Elton John's Farewell Yellow Brick Road SAP Center, San Jose, 10/19/2018
  5. Postmodern Jukebox, The Warfield, San Francisco, 12/13/2015 
  6. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Harrah's Hotel and Casino, 5/30/2015 
  7. Carlos Santana, Shoreline Amphitheater, 2002
  8. Elton John's Million Dollar Piano, The Colosseum, Las Vegas, 10/13/2011
  9. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Uptown Theatre, Napa, 2/23/2019
  10. The Gipsy Kings, Mountain Winery, 8/27/2014. 
  11. Lara Fabian 50, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 9/20/2019

Opera

My favorite opera is Carmen by Georges Bizet, due to the fantastic music and dramatic story. I am also partial to Puccini, especially Madame Butterfly.
  1. Carmen, Houston Grand Opera
  2. Madame Butterfly, Houston Grand Opera, 1993
  3. Marriage of Figaro, San Francisco Opera, 6/21/15
  4. Barber of Seville, San Francisco Opera, 11/23/13
  5. La Traviata, Houston Grand Opera
  6. Don Giovanni, San Francisco Opera
  7. La Boheme, San Francisco Opera,  11/22/14
  8. The Magic Flute, San Francisco Opera
  9. Lucia di Lammermoor, Houston Grand Opera
  10. Elektra, Houston Grand Opera
  11. Salome, Houston Grand Opera

Musical Theater

My favorite musical is Chicago (most recently seen at Ambassador Theater on Broadway), but I am a massive fan of Kander & Ebb musicals (which also include Cabaret, Liza with a Z, and Fosse). I also like most Cole Porter musicals (Anything Goes, Kiss Me Kate!) and George Gershwin (Crazy for You).
  1. Chicago, Ambassador Theater, Broadway, New York City 12/18/2016, 9/25/2018
  2. Fiddler on the Roof, Broadway Theater, New York City, 12/23/2016 
  3. Cabaret, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco 
  4. Anything Goes, Golden Gate Theater, San Francisco, 1/19/2013 
  5. Grease, Orpheum Theater, San Francisco 
  6. Monty Python's Spamalot, Orpheum, San Francisco 
  7. My Fair Lady, Vivian Beaumont Theater, New York City, 9/22/2018
  8. Kiss Me, Kate!, Orpheum, San Francisco 
  9. Saturday Night Fever, Orpheum, San Francisco 
  10. 42nd Street, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, 7/15/2017
  11. Mary Poppins, Orpheum, San Francisco, 5/12/2013 
  12. The Book of Mormon, San Francisco, 1/7/2014 
  13. Showboat, War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, 6/13/2014 
  14. Aladdin, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 4/17/19
  15. Mamma Mia, Orpheum, San Francisco
  16. Phantom of the Opera, Orpheum, San Francisco, 8/21/2015
  17. Cats, Neil Simon Theater, New York City, 12/24/2016 
  18. The Lion King, Orpheum, San Francisco
  19. Les Miserables, Orpheum, San Francisco
  20. Avenue Q, New World Stages, New York City, 9/24/2018
  21. Hello Dolly!, Orpheum, San Francisco
  22. Mathilda, Orpheum, San Francisco, 7/23/2015
  23. Wicked!, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 8/31/2019
  24. Fosse, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
  25. Hamilton, Orpheum, San Francisco, 8/17/2019
  26. Miss Saigon, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 11/15/2019
  27. Evita, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
  28. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
  29. Annie, Portland, Oregon

Theater (Drama & Comedy)

I am incredibly partial to William Shakespeare's dramas, especially Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear. Having seen them long ago, I have yet to be exposed to more recent productions.
  1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Geary Theater, San Francisco, 11/20/2019
  2. Emma, TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, 12/4/2015 
  3. Les Liaisons Dangereuses, New York City, 12/22/2016 
  4. Disgraced, Berkeley Rep, Berkeley, 12/12/2015 
  5. Cyrano, TheatreWorks, Mountain View, 4/24/2016 
  6. Outside Mullingar, TheatreWorks, Palo Alto, 10/7/2016 
  7. The Hard Problem, Geary Theater, San Francisco, 10/19/2016 
  8. Daddy Longs Legs, Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto, 12/3/2016 
  9. Oleanna, Houston, 1992

Hiking Trails

Half-Dome was the longest, most challenging hike I have done. It has fantastic overlooks of Yosemite Valley. However, the other hikes in Silver Falls State Park in Oregon are also excellent.
  1. Half-Dome, Yosemite, CA 
  2. Little Horse Trail to Chicken Point, Sedona, Arizona
  3. Silver Falls State Park, Oregon 
  4. Dipsea Trail, Sausalito, CA 
  5. Devil's Bridge, Sedona, Arizona
  6. Big Basin Redwoods, Boulder Creek, CA 
  7. Sanborn County Park, CA
  8. Castle Rock State Park, CA 
  9. Mt. Shasta, CA 
  10. Point Lobos Natural Reserve, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 
  11. Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, CA 
  12. Huddart County Park, Woodside, CA

Ski Resorts

My favorite place to ski and snowboard is Whistler, near Vancouver, British Columbia. Whistler usually has great snow with minimal elevation gain, excellent, inexpensive restaurants, and a tremendous youthful vibe (with many other nearby activities such as tubing, ice skating, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, & snowmobiling). It also has a fabulous Scandinave Spa! However, I also enjoy the fantastic powder at our local Mammoth Mountain.
  1. Whistler/Blackcomb, BC, Canada (best ski resort) 
  2. Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA (best California powder)
  3. Verbier, Switzerland
  4. Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, CA (best local powder)
  5. Mount Hood Meadows, Mt. Hood, Oregon
  6. Alpine Meadows, Lake Tahoe, CA
  7. Mt. Bachelor, Bend, Oregon 
  8. Heavenly, South Lake Tahoe 
  9. Palisades Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA
  10. Mt. Rose, East Lake Tahoe, NV 
  11. Sierra-at-Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, CA
  12. Bardonecchia, Turin, Italy (most delicious food of any resort)
  13. Sugar Bowl, Lake Tahoe, CA (closest resort) 

Mountain Biking Trails
  1. Soquel Demo Forest, Santa Cruz, CA
  2. John Nicholas Trail, Los Gatos, CA
  3. Almaden Quicksilver County Park, San Jose, CA
  4. Saratoga Gap & Long Ridge, Saratoga, CA
  5. Santa Teresa County Park, San Jose, CA
  6. Joseph D. Grant County Park
  7. Limekiln Trail, Los Gatos, CA
  8. Monte Bello OSP
  9. Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz, CA

Off-Road Motorcycling Trails

My favorite place to ride off-road dirt bikes is in Hollister SVRA. I have taken classes with Brian Garrahan and have ridden multiple 4-stroke and 2-stroke motorcycles.
  1. Hollister Hills SVRA, Hollister, CA
  2. Carnegie SVRA, Tracy, CA
  3. Metcalf, San Jose, CA

Windsurfing/Wing Foiling Spots

My all-time favorite place for windsurfing is on the Northern shore of Maui at Spreckelsville Beach. However, I also enjoyed windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge ("The Gorge" near Hood River, Oregon) at Sherman Island in Rio Vista Coyote Point, 3rd Ave, and Crissy Field in San Francisco.
  1. Spreckelsville, Maui, Hawaii
  2. Kanaha Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
  3. Crissy Field, San Francisco, California
  4. Sherman Island, Rio Vista, California
  5. Swell City, Hood River, Oregon
  6. Rowena, Hood River, Oregon
  7. Event Site, Hood River, Oregon
  8. Coyote Point, San Francisco, California
  9. 3rd Ave, San Mateo, CA
  10. Waddell Creek, Santa Cruz, California

Surfing Spots
  1. Trestles, San Clemente, CA
  2. Ala Moana State Park, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
  3. Rockpile Beach, Laguna Beach, CA
  4. Huntington Beach, CA
  5. Surfer's Point at Seaside Park, Ventura
  6. "The Hook", Capitola
  7. Newport Beach Pier
  8. Dolores Beach, Laniakea Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
  9. Pismo Beach Pier, Pismo Beach, CA
  10. Pleasure Point, Capitola (great beginners spot)
  11. Steamer Lane, Capitola (experts only)
  12. San Clemente Pier, CA
  13. Manresa State Beach, Capitola

0 comments:

Post a Comment