The Menu

We speak to restaurateur Amy Poon about the legacy of her parents’ iconic Chinese eatery, Poon’s Wontoneria, in London. Also on the programme: we head to Finland to investigate how increasing global prices are affecting the nation’s claim to drinking the most cups of coffee per capita. Plus: Chloé Lake speaks to wine expert Sunny Hodge about his new book encouraging us to look at wine from a more scientific angle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re staying local today and heading to London’s charming South Kensington. From quaint coffee shops, steaming bowls of pho and vibrant farmers’ markets, this corner of west London provides some of the city’s best culinary offerings. Monocle’s Hassan Anderson takes us on a tour. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We journey down the banks of the Danube to get a taste of Eastern European cuisine with Romanian food writer Irina Georgescu. Plus: Paige Reynolds heads to Leydi, a new Turkish opening in London and Maisie Ringer explores the revival of absinthe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re heading to Greece’s second city, Thessaloniki. This offbeat metropolis on the Aegean coast has a rich gastronomic identity thanks to its diverse history at the crossroads of east and west. In 2021, its culinary prowess was recognised by Unesco as a “City of Gastronomy” within its Creative Cities Network. Join Monocle’s Claudia Jacob on a tour of this colourful and compact city that’s sure to slake your appetite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re appreciating the effects that time has on some of our favourite dishes and ingredients. We sit down with Ryan Walker, head of fermentation at zero-waste restaurant Silo, in London. Then: Angelica Jopson leaves things to simmer and explores the timeless appeal of soup. Plus: our in-house wine expert, Chloé Lake, picks her well-aged wine of the month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re heading to Sydney, one of the world’s most multicultural hubs. The Harbour City’s diversity is reflected in its vibrant selection of global restaurants, cafes and bars. Here, Monocle contributor Adam Hancock takes us to Little Portugal in Sydney’s Inner West to learn more about its Portuguese diaspora and their delicious cuisine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Diana Militski, the founder of Kinkally, a restaurant in London championing a modern approach to Georgian cuisine. Then: Michael Booth is at Europe’s biggest food-supplier trade fair in Lyon to get a preview of the industry this year. Plus: we head to Sweden to hear about chef Daniel Berlin’s Scandinavian comeback. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re hitting the Italian Alps and the small hamlet of Alagna Valsesia at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif. Though Monocle’s Lars Bevanger keeps returning here to ski, what’s equally tempting are the region’s delicious wine and cuisine. Here, he takes us on a tour of the Alpine town.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to the man whose passion for cooking with fire has been fuelling one of the world’s best restaurants – Burnt Ends in Singapore. Also on the programme: we trace the journey of Hong Kong noodles to London and speak to the Croatian author translating literature into enticing recipes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we wander the canals of De Baarsjes in west Amsterdam. With an abundance of specialty cafés, bakeries and global culinary outposts, this area of the Netherlands’ capital is fast becoming the preferred choice of gastronomically inclined visitors. Ilze Vitola takes us on a tour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.