United States of America

Pranakhon (Bib Gourmand)

New York, New York

The name may reference Bangkok's original name, Phra Nakhon, but this busy spot is all about the now and just might convince you that you're dining in an alley in the capital city. It's precisely the point, as this restaurant from Intira and Norapol Youngphitak celebrates Bangkok's street eats scene.

Inspector notes: "Dishes are well-executed, especially the hor mok hoy mang phu, a vibrant dish of tender mussels stuffed with curry paste custard and sweet coconut milk sauce. Namtok kor moo yang plates grilled marinated pork jowl tossed with spices and a Thai chili-lime dressing, but the well-executed curry pancake, a roti flatbread stuffed with minced chicken, vegetables, and ajad is a savory delight. It tastes even better while sipping an inventive cocktail named for characters in Thai soap operas."

Chalong

New York, New York

From its Hell's Kitchen location to its shared plates-style menu, Chalong is ideal for the post-work or pre-show crowd. The space is simply designed with dark wood and touches of blue at the bar, while rattan light fixtures are breezy-beautiful and eye-catching.

Inspector notes: "Traditional Southern Thai flavors are celebrated and on display in the kitchen's selection of curries, rice and noodle dishes, and seafood plates. Don't skip the baerng golae, or grilled shrimp tossed in coconut curry and topped with fried coconut. Garlic-braised ribs are fried and served with a side of rice for a satisfying plate, but don't fill up, as the mango sticky rice, topped with a scoop of coconut ice cream and diced mango, is non-negotiable."

The Mark Hotel (Two MICHELIN Keys)

New York, New York

LISA recently attended The Met Gala, and of course, she was seen departing from The Mark Hotel. The Mark is the very picture of classic, timeless Upper East Side poshness, in spite of — or maybe even because of — its recent, extremely thorough renovation. And in its present incarnation it’s proof that old money doesn’t necessarily imply old-fashioned.

Take the Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges as an example. It’s a long way from weak tea in the afternoon and lobster Thermidor at night. The menu could hold its own against anyone in the city, and the space, designed by Jacques Grange, is not at all unstylish, for any side of the park. And while the lobby’s dazzle is classic, decked out in Deco-flavored black and white, and the rooms are as subtle as can be, there’s a certain stylishness to the Mark’s elegance, which only sneaks up slowly.

The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Honolulu, Hawaii

It’s also where you go when you want Honolulu minus the crowds. The Kahala’s beach is blissfully quiet, the service is friendly and personal, and four high-end restaurants treat you to some of the island’s best cooking. And the activities are beyond compare; scuba, surfing, and stand-up paddle lessons are a matter of course, but how many hotels have a family of dolphins living in a lagoon, attended by trainers and marine biologists?

When it opened, a little over a half-century ago, the Kahala immediately turned heads, as much for its opulence as for its audacious location, in an upscale neighborhood around the sedate far side of Diamond Head from busy Waikiki Beach. It didn’t take long for this revolutionary to become the establishment, however, and the Kahala quickly became the place to stay in Honolulu, playing host to entertainers, heads of state, and every American president since Lyndon Johnson.

Thailand

Jay Fai (One MICHELIN Star)

Bangkok, Thailand

In her home country of Thailand, LISA joined the namesake chef in celebrating the restaurant's 7th consecutive MICHELIN Star. This is a deservedly popular spot and they don’t take bookings, so be sure to arrive early and be prepared to queue.

Inspector notes: "Jay Fai has long been a street food icon, and for good reason — the begoggled chef’s signature crispy, golden-brown crab omelettes are simply unparalleled. If you’re looking for another reason to love the local legend, then also try her excellent stir-fried noodles with seafood and gravy."

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Koh Samui, Thailand

Starring as hotel employee Mook on season 3 of The White Lotus, LISA has spent plenty of time at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, where the show was filmed. Despite being troublesome on the show, the actual hotel is a fantastic stay.

Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is, as Thai island escapes go, perhaps as good as it gets without owning an island outright. It’s set on a lush hillside cascading down to a private, white-sand beach; that means every single room enjoys a sea breeze, a sea view, and a straight-to-beach relaxation protocol. Between snorkeling and rainforest spa sessions, it’s best enjoyed outdoors and barefoot, but it’s also good to know that the Four Seasons formula holds up in the rooms: fresh tropical fruit, flowers, rosewood, and high ceilings. Oh, and to gild the lily, each villa has a private infinity pool.

France

Alléno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen (Three MICHELIN Stars and Passion Dessert)

Paris, France

This prestigious Parisian institution housed in an elegant building set in the Jardins des Champs-Élysées has huge windows looking out onto the most beautiful avenue in the world. It is the very epitome of the great French restaurant: the luxurious setting, the culture of beautifully dressed tables, the seamlessly orchestrated service – it all makes for a unique backdrop, fit to showcase gastronomy in all its glory.

Inspector notes: "Chef Yannick Alléno has achieved a real tour de force by stamping his hallmark on the menu from the outset. His cuisine is dazzling and technical, and his jus and sauces (what the chef calls "the verb of French cuisine"), enhanced by skillful extractions, deserve a special mention. This is what happens when the avant-garde puts itself at the service of the great French culinary tradition."

Ritz Paris (Three MICHELIN Keys)

Paris, France

Strictly speaking, there’s only one Ritz: the opulent Belle Époque edifice at 15 Place Vendôme, founded by César Ritz himself, in partnership with chef Auguste Escoffier. For many decades it was in a class of its own at the top of the luxury-hotel world, a world it played a major role in creating. And while these days it’s far from the only hotel of its kind, a 21st-century renovation has returned it to the glory of its early days, and — in spirit, at least — it’s once again worthy of legendary guests like Chopin, Proust, and Coco Chanel.

The rooms and suites, then, remain classic in aspect, retaining their iconic bedside tulip lamps and the valet bells beside the baths. The opulent Prestige Suites are named for the hotel’s most famous guests and residents, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Frédéric Chopin, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor; they are, it may go without saying, among the most extravagant accommodations in Paris.

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Hero image: Fabio Lovino / HBO