Two things that are far too prevalent in our world today are reviews and awards. Every time we purchase anything or have an experience, it is followed up by an email request to review.

I'm not entirely sure why I chose Helsinki. I had a little time off from work and could only squeeze in a week in Europe, it was towards the end of shoulder season and to take the break, I wanted an easy flight connection that wouldn't eat too much into my time.

I used to love writing reviews. When luxury travel and fine dining entered my world many moons ago, there was no going back. In those early days, I felt I owed it to the curious to tell of my experiences, good and bad, by way of a review.

In the restaurant world, much has changed over the past year. While we have mostly been confined to our own borders, and that includes our own four walls at times, restaurants have had to evolve, alter their offering, change their focus, or at worst, close.

Every now and then, a restaurant falls off my radar and when I finally get around to a visit, I kick myself for waiting so long. Sydney’s Bentley Restaurant & Bar is one of these.

I am very sceptical of the special. Are these really thought up by restaurants on the day of availability, the recipe carefully considered, the ingredients bought, eventually to become the chef’s pride and joy, the new limited creation?

No other country assaults my senses quite in the way Japan does. Not a day goes by when my mind doesn’t wander to a past experience, a certain place or time, which led me to one of those magical “only in Japan” moments that happen to you, and only you, when you go.

Being someone who eats out a great deal, I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go.