i'll start a thread here like i did on the other site. as i eat my way across America, i'll add links to posts on my blog for the best restaurants (it's too much trouble to edit the post yet again for this forum.)

to start, here's my list of the top restaurants in America, somewhat in order. by "restaurant", i mean the whole experience - food, service, and atmosphere (although i care about the food most.)

1. Manresa (Los Gatos, CA) - very exacting & respectful to ingredients
chuckeats.com Blog » Manresa (Los Gatos, CA) - The Spoils of Winter
http://www.chuckeats.com/2008/06/24/...summer-report/

2. Urasawa (LA) - everyone must try it once
chuckeats.com Blog » Urasawa (LA) - Better than Ever with Real Kobe
ChuckEats blog » Urasawa (LA) - Spring is in the Air

3. French Laundry (Yountville, CA) - technically perfect, a tad boring
chuckeats.com Blog » French Laundry (Yountville, CA) - Calculated Cuisine
ChuckEats blog » The French Laundry (Yountville, CA) - Unlocking the Secret

4. Alinea (Chicago) - very experimental but the dishes mostly work
too drunk for review

5. Jean Georges (NYC) - fairly ubiquitous in today's world, but a great talent
chuckeats.com Blog » Jean Georges (NYC) - Bombastic Fantastic


Rounding out the Top 10
6. Providence (LA) - beats out Le Bernardin in NYC as best seafood restaurant
chuckeats.com Blog » Providence (LA) - Serious Seafood

7. Masa (NYC) - excellent ingredients, but a tad rushed
review coming soon

8. Bouley (NYC) - very good dishes but the meal can lack cohesiveness
chuckeats.com Blog » Bouley (NY) - Masterful but Memorable?

9. Sawa (Sunnyvale, CA) - excellent slabs of raw fish, not much more
chuckeats.com Blog » Sawa (Sunnyvale, CA) - Where it All Began?

10. Secret Beef Place (LA) - excellent beef, but you cook yourself (in grimy digs)
chuckeats.com Blog » Secret Beef Place (LA) - Melt in your Mouth


i'll start adding reviews over the next few days as i publish them to my blog.

Additional reviews that can be found in this thread:
- L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (NYC)
ChuckEats blog » L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (NYC) - Midtown Michelin Meal

- Meadowood (Napa, CA)
ChuckEats blog » The Restaurant at Meadowood (St Helena, CA) - Alter and Refine



- chuck

 

Jean Georges (NYC) is one of the great restaurants in this country. He has an empire of restaurants, but the flagship in the Trump Tower is the real deal. The little secret in foodie world - you can eat here at lunch for a *fraction* of the cost of dinner. It's one of the great deals in the US.

I ate more than I needed to for $150, including a $70 bottle of wine. Dinner will run you at least $250/person w/ alcohol. It's also a beautiful room during the day - lots of natural light. If you're in NYC, got a free lunch, and you're feeling haute, give it a try.

The flavors are very intense - everything is in the forefront - think California Zin. Texture also plays a huge role in the food - every dish has different textural components. And lemon/yuzu are quite prominent in most dishes.

The Full Review:
http://chuckeats.com/blog3/2008/02/2...tic-fantastic/

Cost (Lunch): $28 for 2 plates, $12 each additional plate

Teaser pics:
Foie Gras Creme Brulee


Crispy Arctic Char, Miso-Potato Puree, & Granny Smith-Jalapeno Juice


- chuck

 

Had to comment on TFL being boring. I can see this if you eat there fairly regularly and are used to haute cousine meals. BUT if you think about it from the perspective of the average person, I can't imagine there's a restaurant in the country that gives a more impressive and consistent crash course in fine dining. For most, it will truly be a life changing meal.

 

Chuck, I'm still waiting on my invite to the _______ ______ place next time you are in LA!

BTW, that foie gras above looks amazing.

 

AG, working through the back catalogue of invites - soon.


Installment #2 - L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon (NYC)

Joel Robuchon was called the greatest chef of the 20th century and shocked the world when he retired in the early 90s. He has since come out of retirement with a vengeance - he has about 10 restaurants sprinkled around the globe.

The L'Atelier concept is excellent food in a more casual atmosphere (at very high prices.) I think the menu is a minefield - you have to read through various reports to know what is worth the money. Some ingredients are suspect; others are top-notch.

Below are the two best dishes of the night - a perfectly fried langoustine and sinfully delicious tiny foie gras hamburgers.

The Full Review:
chuckeats.com Blog » L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (NYC) - Midtown Michelin Meal

Cost: Estimate $20-30/dish (you'll need at least 4-5 and probably morel)

Teaser pics:





- chuck

 

i will continue this conversation with myself with:

Providence (LA) - it's primarily a seafood-only restaurant that uses more modern cooking techniques, some from Spain and such. IMO, it has surpassed Le Bernardin (NYC) as the country's premiere seafood-focused restaurant. I've had one excellent, one very good (this meal), and one good meal. Definitely recommended for LA.

The Full Review: chuckeats.com Blog » Providence (LA) - Science and the Sea

The Price: $150/person for the chef's tasting menu

Teaser pics:




- chuck

 

i've heard a lot about prvidence recently, but I can see the price tag attached to it is easily three figures.

 

Subscribed!

I have to say I was underwhelmed with Robuchon, I guess what you say about the menu being a mine field is right. My dishes were bland (all 3) and the service was blah. I had a plate with scallops and something else (urchin?) that was the highlight of the night. Don't get me wrong, it would have been an outstanding meal if I had not had higher expectations.

How is Per se lately?
Also, I have yet to go to Gramercy Tavern. Weird, I know.

 

Love reading these, Chuck! Makes me want to get on a plane and venture out! Keep 'em coming . . .

 

yup