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April 15, 2005

The Best Restaurants of the World

Someone at Shane's company who sent us a Microsoft Excel file with the supposed top 50 restaurants of the world. Here are the first ten:

1. The Fat Duck (Bray, United Kingdom)
2. El Bulli (Roses, Spain)
3. French Laundry (Yountville, Calif., United States)
4. Tetsuya's (Sydney, Australia)
5. Gordon Ramsay (London, United Kingdom)
6. Pierre Gagnaire (Paris, France)
7. Per Se (New York, United States)
8. Tom Aikens (London, United Kingdom)
9. Jean Georges (New York, United States)
10. St John (London, United Kingdom)

So, some questions.... and some comments... Why are there no venues in Asia? India? Russia? This seems a bit... snobby and continental... which makes it likely to be from an uppity trade magazine... let's do a quick search, eh? Ahh yes, it's from the British magazine Restaurant. You can tell by the publications name just how much they value creativity, eh? Some of the best places I've ever eaten...hmm... I think I'm going to list my best dining experiences - which are rather subjective.

The Laurie List (No Particular Order)

1. The Red Fort (London, United Kingdom)
   Fantastic Tandoori, Great California Wine Selection
2. Phantom Forest (Knysna, South Africa)
   Gourmet Game Meat, Great Wine
3. Aqua (San Francisco, California, USA)
   Try the Tasting Menu with Wine Pairings
4. Café du Monde (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
   Simple Menu But Best Café Au Lait & Beignets Around
5. Court of Two Sisters (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
   Authentic New Orleans Favorites - Turtle Soup, Pork Tenderloin, Bananas Foster
6. Café Sbisa (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)
   More Creole Favorites - Andouille, Oysters, Gumbo
7. Mendo Bistro (Fort Bragg, California, USA)
   Mix & Match: Main Course, Cooking Method, Sauce and Side. Unique!
8. Bittersweet Bistro (Aptos, California, USA)
   Save Room For Dessert - Try The Chocolate Trio
9. Pearl Alley Bistro (Santa Cruz, California, USA)
   Best Lemon Drops, Mongolian BBQ, and Nice Port Selection
10. Mudd's Restaurant (San Ramon, California, USA)
    California Cuisine - The Pork Is Especially Good
11. PlumpJack (Squaw Valley, California, USA)
    The Ahi Tartare Is To Die For!
12. Olives (Aspen, Colorado, USA)
    Olive Tapenades, Fantastic Desert Vanilla Bean Soufflé, Indoor S'mores
13. Café Terra Cotta (Tuscon, Arizona, USA)
    Poblano chile rellenos, Marinated Pork Tenderloin. Everything is good here.
14. JBAR (Tuscon, Arizona, USA)
    Southwest Fusion - Try the Yucatan Style Plantain Crusted Chicken
15. Jenny Lake Lodge (Grand Teton NP, Wyoming, USA)
    Five course meal with some of the best-cooked buffalo dishes around
16. Asebino Ryokan (Amagi Yugashima, Japan)
    Fantastic wild boar and the best wasabi dishes on the planet
17. Salty's Beach House Restaurant (Penticton, BC, Canada)
    Alaskan King Crab, Thai Spring Rolls, Drunken Prawns, and Mojitos!
18. Mobo Sushi (Santa Cruz, California, USA)
    Special Handmade Sushi Rolls - Try the Corruptor tepura'd
19. Yesibu, Top of the Westin (Tokyo, Japan)
    Excellent Teppanyaki

Posted by sorsha at April 15, 2005 10:13 PM