2

1. EL CELLAR DE CON ROCA | Girona, Spain
Lamb + Peas + Mint

The very controversial WORLD’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS were announced yesterday and I was stunned that only two U.S. restaurants made the Top 25. I was also surprised by the number of extraordinarily expensive restaurants and restaurants in remote locations making the list. There was wonderful diversity in the types of cuisines awarded, but the number of restaurants showcasing molecular gastronomy took me aback. I’m all for creativity and refined techniques, but I’m at the point where if I see one more powdered vegetable, melting foam or smoking hay, I might start sending dishes back with a simple note: Cook. Please. Great dining experiences are about superior cooking and attentive service, so the less gimmicks the better.

2. OSTERIA FRANCESCANA | Modena, Italy
Eel Swimming Up The Po River
3. NOMA | Copenhagen, Denmark
Live Prawn with Live Ants
4. CENTRAL | Lima, Peru
Grilled Octopus
5. ELEVEN MADISON PARK | New York, USA
Duck For Two
6. MUGARITZ | San Sebastian, Spain
Egg Yolk with Sea Urchin
7. DINNER BY HESTON BLUMENTHAL | London, UK
Roasted Turbot with Cockle Ketchup
Read my review here
8. NARISAWA | Tokyo, Japan
Fish Swimming In A Pond
9. D.O.M.| Sao Paulo, Brazil
Green Tomato Gelee with Edible Flowers
10. GAGGAN | Bangkok, Thailand
Mushroom Risotto

Other Notables:

18. LE BERNADIN | New York

20. THE LEDBURY | London
Read my review here

40. PER SE | New York

49. BLUE HILL at STONE BARNES | New York

50. FRENCH LAUNDRY | Napa
Read my review here

56. SAISON | San Francisco

59. DIVERXO | Madrid, Spain
Read my review here

67. NOMAD | New York

69. MOMOFUKU KO | New York

72. RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD | Napa

75. COI | San Francisco

80. DANIEL | New York

90. ESTELA | New York

94. MASA | New York

100. MANRESA | San Francisco