The 50 Best Restaurants in the World...

[bigbadbuff]

I got this link off Andrew Zimmern's blog. It's apparently a well respected list. El Bulli gets #1. I went to their site, and they are already completely booked for the rest of the year, LOL.

Top 50: http://www.theworlds50best.com/2008_list.html

50-100: http://www.theworlds50best.com/2008_next_50.html

 

[Piobaire]

Wow, Canada did not sneak one into the top 100. I guess it's that VQA stuff, eh eq1

 

[globetrotter]

I'm sorry - I am guessing that I would enjoy most of these places, but I think that he is dealing with an entirely different criteria than I would choose for how he pickes the resteaunts. he has, for instance, a french resteraunt in cape town as the best resterant in the middle east and africa - he hasn't chosen any middle eastern or lebanese places. this was jsut from a quick glance.

 

[itsstillmatt]

I've eaten at perhaps 15 of these and think it is a particularly ****** list.

 

[bigbadbuff]

Originally Posted by iammatt

I've eaten at perhaps 15 of these and think it is a particularly ****** list.

which ones did you like?

 

[gdl203]

Fascinating that Tokyo, which has the highest concentration of Michelin stars in the world, does not have a single restaurant in the Top 100...

I think I've eaten at 7 or 8 of these top 50 and the biggest joke of these has to be Nobu London.

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by bigbadbuff

which ones did you like?
Well, I "liked" all of them except Le Bernadin, where I have had two atrocious meals. Ones I particularly like from the list are Bras, l'Astrance, le Cinq, Troisgros, Chez Panisse and Arpege. Ones I think are not nearly as good as their rep are Louis XV, Per Se, French Laundry and Gagnaire. Of course, I did not eat at them all last year, and some, like Le Bernadin, I have not been to in nine years. Others, I have eaten at fairly often and recently. All of this colors my perception.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Does nearly every L'Atelier location need to be on there?

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by SoCal2NYC

Does nearly every L'Atelier location need to be on there?
You wouldn't want somebody developing a complex for having eaten at the wrong l'Atelier, would you? Too bad the real thing isn't around anymore. That was a restaurant that deserved a list unto itself, perhaps with Girardet.

 

[fashion_newbie]

Didn't realize Charlie Trotter would be so high up on the list. Thinking of taking my parents for dinner, any thoughts?

 

[gdl203]

I'm very surprised by Matt's review of Le Bernardin. I've been three times in the last 5 years and always had a spectacular meal. The room is a bit underwhelming but the food...

Check this recent review by the way

http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociet..._bernardin.php

 

[itsstillmatt]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I'm very surprised by Matt's review of Le Bernardin. I've been three times in the last 5 years and always had a spectacular meal. The room is a bit underwhelming but the food...

Check this recent review by the way

http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociet..._bernardin.php
To be fair, I was there once when Le Coze was still alive, and once soon after Ripert took over. I ate badly, but as I said above, timing has everything to do with it. I do agree with you about Nobu, London... WTF?

 

[Connemara]

I don't see Burger King on the list.

 

[VKK3450]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

I'm sorry - I am guessing that I would enjoy most of these places, but I think that he is dealing with an entirely different criteria than I would choose for how he pickes the resteaunts. he has, for instance, a french resteraunt in cape town as the best resterant in the middle east and africa - he hasn't chosen any middle eastern or lebanese places. this was jsut from a quick glance.

None of the 3 from HK are Chinese... Two French, one Japanese. One isnt even in HK, but in Macau...

What a silly list... Best in what sense? From a v quick glance at the methodology, they just pick a bunch of "experts" from each region who then pick a bunch of people to cast unstructured votes.

I havent thought about how I would do it differently, but considering the list of sponsors I'm guessing that this is by no means a comprehensive or objective top 100... Maybe the top 100 restaurants that service Pelligrino, Laurent Perrier, take Amex...

K

 

[odoreater]

Originally Posted by Connemara

I don't see Burger King on the list.

That doesn't surprise me, but to leave White Castle off is unforgivable.