World's 100 Best Restaurants List Released

[ChicagoRon]

Originally Posted by 17 Seconds

So I'm heading to NY next week on business. Wife is flying up for the weekend. If we wanted to hit a couple great places in NYC, where should we go? Daniel? Per Se? Momofuku? Definitely want a couple of nice recommendations, but also some great out-of-the-way joints too. Thanks in advance!
There are a ton of NYC recommendation threads.. I suggest you do a search for that one... maybe bump it if you are looking for updates. RE: Momofuku - I just find it hard to believe that a place in NYC is making better traditional Japanese noodles than a place in an ally in Tokyo - Is there something else I am missing? I've never been there.... But if a Hamburger place in Japan was in the top 100 in the world, I'd find that suspect.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

RE: Momofuku - I just find it hard to believe that a place in NYC is making better traditional Japanese noodles than a place in an ally in Tokyo - Is there something else I am missing? I've never been there.... But if a Hamburger place in Japan was in the top 100 in the world, I'd find that suspect.
You're missing the fact that Momofuku noodle bar is much more than just a noodle bar. Actually, they started off as just a noodle bar, and couldn't make any money, supposedly b/c they couldn't make great enough noodles to outdo anyplace in Tokyo. So they expanded. Started doing more foods, a lot of typical American foods done with a large Japanese or Korean influence. They were open late at night, so they quickly became a cook's hangout, and momentum kind of carried them to where they are today. How much of it is artificial press (people constantly hopping on Chang's dick) and how much of it is legitimately b/c it's a good restaurant is impossible to know. Chang is a smart enough guy to know that as long as he talks **** about someone or something famous in the food world once every few months, his restaurants will stay full.

 

[kwilkinson]

People have been talking for a year or so about TFL losing a Michelin star. I wonder if this will prompt that to happen.
Although I think that talk was when standards started slipping towards the end of Corey Lee's time there. I've heard it is back to true form with Hollingsworth at the helm.

 

[A Y]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

You're missing the fact that Momofuku noodle bar is much more than just a noodle bar. Actually, they started off as just a noodle bar, and couldn't make any money, supposedly b/c they couldn't make great enough noodles to outdo anyplace in Tokyo.

That's the account in Chang's cookbook. Their main clientele back then were Chang's former kitchen colleagues who wanted a place to go late at night. He kind of got launched after a few reviews came out after he started making more than just noodles. I think the pork buns were the first hit.

Also, Noodle bar is very different than Ssam, which aspires to be a higher-end dining experience.

--Andre

 

[Smahatma]

Originally Posted by whiteslashasian

WD-50 over Eleven Madison Park?????!?!

This list makes me sad.
And Ssam Bar instead of Ko?

 

[rossobianchi]

Hakkasan in London is OK but def not top 100 material thats for sure, oh and very overpriced!

 

[rk9]

Yes how does Ssam bar make it above Ko? And EMP is definitely better than WD-50.

 

[svelten]

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

From a North America perspective, I would not have been surprised to see SOMETHING from Canada
Wasn't there some odd, remote, difficult-as-**** to locate restaurant called Eigensinn Farm near Toronto that was on the list at one point? Or has that closed down (hard to tell given its obscurity)... Also, S. Pellegrino's top 100 list has two Canadian restaurants - Rouge in Calgary and Langdon Hall in Cambridge. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/...rticle1548982/

 

[ChicagoRon]

New List tonight - no more El Bulli - any predictions?

 

[kwilkinson]

Noma 1, Alinea 2, French Laundry in the lower top 10.

 

[Stazy]

Hopefully something from Canada will be in the top 50.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Stazy

Hopefully something from Canada will be in the top 50.

but seriously....

 

[Stazy]

Haha I believe we had one in the top 100 last year. I just wanna see progress!

 

[pscolari]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Noma 1, Alinea 2, French Laundry in the lower top 10.

Friend of a friend has been working at Noma for about a year or so. My friend (who is best friends with him) and I were talking about possibly going over to visit him this year. Would be unreal.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by pscolari

Friend of a friend has been working at Noma for about a year or so. My friend (who is best friends with him) and I were talking about possibly going over to visit him this year. Would be unreal.

No doubt. My old boss did a 1 year stage there. When he got back we went out to dinner and he told me all about. Just incredible.