Sézanne, the modern French restaurant by chef-owner Daniel Calvert in Tokyo, was declared the Best Restaurant in Asia, followed closely by Florilège at No. 2 from Tokyo and Gaggan Anand from Bangkok at No. 3
Asia’s foodie community descended into Seoul, South Korea for the Asia’s 50 Best Awards 2024 ceremony, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, which took place last night (March 26) at Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas. Japan emerged as the night’s big winner with the first two restaurants from Tokyo: Florilège, the French-Japanese restaurant which climbed to the No. 2 spot, and Sézanne, the neo-French restaurant by chef-owner Daniel Calvert, which was declared the ‘Best Restaurant in Asia’. It went up one spot from last year’s No. 2.
Calvert shares that “being the best restaurant in Asia is a remarkable feeling… and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the community in Japan and the supportive guests”. He lets on that many relationships were cultivated in Japan and he’s only “a small part” of the achievement of the restaurant, while crediting the group of people who are so dedicated to their craft, from the those who provide “amazing quality ingredients, beautiful wine list, and service” that needed to happen every single day. He lets on: “Anyone can do it once, for sure, but to do it every single day is what makes Sézanne’s team stand out.”
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Meanwhile, Le Du, last year’s No. 1 restaurant helmed by Thai chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn slipped 11 places to land at No. 12, while Nusantara, his other restaurant which was at No. 3 last year, dropped to No. 6. Despite falling a few spots, Nusara was also one of the evening’s biggest winners after it bagged the coveted Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award, which is given to establishments that deliver exceptional service.
Odette retained the ‘Best Restaurant’ title in Singapore, even if it slipped four spots from last year’s No. 6 to close the Top 10. Joining Odette in the top 50 are Les Amis at No. 38, Labyrinth at No. 30 (which dropped from last year’s No. 11 spot), Meta at No. 28, Born at No. 25, Euphoria at No. 20, and Burnt Ends at No. 15.
Two new restaurants from Singapore were also added to the 50 Best list: Lolla, which entered at No. 42 after making it in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant 2023’s extended list, and Seroja, chef-owner Kevin Wong’s love letter to his home country of Malaysia, which debuted at No. 31—the highest new entry this year.
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