Eating out in a foreign city is always a gamble. It is perhaps easier to stick with those referred by friends or critically acclaimed hotel restaurant such as those below helmed by celebrity chefs.
LONDON
Gordon Ramsay at Claridges
The short-tempered celebrity chef, infamous for his generous garnishings of British sarcasm, has set up an outlet at the Claridges hotel in Mayfair serving modern European cuisine. Guests can also opt for the Chef’s table, located within the world-class kitchen, or throw parties in one of the three private dining rooms that have private street entrances too. Reservations are necessary.
Price range: A set lunch starts at GBP30 (US$48) for three courses
Bookings: call +44 20 7499 0099 or email [email protected]
MUMBAI 
Koh by Ian Kittichai at the InterContinental Marine Drive
Renowned chef Kittichai, the genius behing Hyde and Seek, bought his signature contemporary "high Thai" cuisine to Mumbai inevitably making Koh an overnight success, frequented by local Bollywood stars.
Price range: A meal for two, without alcohol, starts at INR3,000 (US$67)
Bookings: call +91 22 3987 9999
NEW YORK
Ca Va at the InterContinental Times Square
Ca Va at the InterContinental Times Square is only one of chef Todd English’s many hotel restaurants around the country. The stylish brasserie, which opened just last year, not only serves French cuisine but also runs a market and café adjacent to the main dining area offering freshly baked croissants, muffins and sandwiches. The restaurant itself serves authentic French food “as well as playful, contemporary interpretations of the classics.”
Prices: A set three-course lunch during NYC Restaurant Week (which runs through until September 5, 2011) starts at US$24
Bookings: call +1 212 803 4545
SINGAPORE
Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands
This is chef Tatsuya Wakuda’s first restaurant outside of Australia, featuring a sake bar, caviar lounge and a collection of 3,000 bottles of wine. The restaurant, which serves modern European food with a Japanese twist, has been segmented into several areas so that diners move from room to room during the 10-course meal starting at the lounge for pre dinner drinks and ending up in the drawing room for desserts. For dinner, the restaurant only takes 25 guests at a time so reservations are necessary.
Price range: The 10-course degustation menu starts at SG$400 (US$331) per person
Bookings: call +65 6688 8507 or email [email protected]
SYDNEY
Glass Brasserie at Hilton
Owned by the Australian celebrity chef, Luke Mangan, Glass is an elegant eatery serving guests French cuisine that is “clean and light, with a contemporary twist”. With high ceiling, towering wine cellars and glass décor, the restaurant looks as contemporary as the food claims to be. Glass seats up to 240 guests, but offers several private dining options. Guests can book the kitchen table, in the heart of the action, the private dining area for up to 14 guests or book out the wine bar. Guests have the option of a seven-course degustation menu or a la carte.
Prices: The degustation menu starts at A$120 (US$128) per person
Bookings: call +6 2 9265 6068 or email [email protected]
