Remember the days when a pizza place was just a pizza place? These days, restaurants go above and beyond to satisfy our new, concept-driven expectations. Whether its hotdogs and champagne or an ironic spin on good and greasy fried chicken, we’ve become accustomed to dining at the hottest new eateries in town on an almost weekly basis, and getting so much more than a satisfied gut from the dining experience. In the spirit of cool concepts, The Manual has compiled a list of our favourite restaurants from around the globe at this very moment – the list may change by next week of course. Read fourth and prepare to salivate…
1. Kemuri, Shanghai
If you love Tarantino, you’ll love the concept behind this Japanese eatery. Designed to look like something out of Kill Bill, the slick interior features splashes of blood red across the walls, acres of steel and dangling rope – perfect for swinging on in the event of a bloody battle. Kemuri is a traditional style of smoke cooking, which hints at the adventurous menu of charcoal fried veg and meishan dolphin.
2. Brickhouse, Hong Kong
Imagine a place where there are no rules. Where you can eat fine Mexican food with your fingers and drink and partake in some 60-shot tequila board action until 4am without judgement. This mecca exists in an alley in Hong Kong’s Lan Kwai Fong district. On a serious note, the food really is good. Tuna and chipotle mayo tostadas with crispy shallots anyone? Oh yeah.
3. B.O.B’s Lobster, London
Some might say this is just another street food truck with a seating area. We like to think of B.O.B’s as a shiny, happy outdoor restaurant. Either way, this little VW camper van has caused quite a stir among London’s most enthusiastic foodies, with its striped deck chair dining space and regular Broadway market pitch. When it comes to the menu, the clue is in the name; lobster in many delicious incarnations. Our favourite is the lobster mac and cheese.
4. Duende, California
The concept behind this eatery is everything under one roof. Created as a multi-purpose space for dining, events, music and art, Duende aims to alter the way we exeperience food by coupling eating with culture. The hip space boasts huge tribal murals and a double-storey ceiling to allow for better acoustics. The menu feels Spanish, with a landslide of inventive tapas and paella.
5. Parson’s Chicken & Fish, Chicago
Isn’t it refreshing to hear a restaurant name so indicative of the food being served? Parson’s does what it says on the tin – but to a really finger-licking tasty standard, and within the achingly cool confines of what can only be described as an industrial beach warehouse. Drink a Letherbee gin infused Pompelmo Americano and go straight in for a bucket of chicken and the house hot sauce. You won’t be disappointed.
