Wanderlust Wednesday
The United States holds six of what are considered to be the fifty best eateries in the world, six locally loved and internationally popular state-side restaurants officially registered on the ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list. Of course, these restaurants are the best for a reason, so in order to visit them, you will need a hefty pocketbook and ample reservation plans.
Note: These six fancy and flavor-filled locations all expect a 60-30 day reservation in advance, as well as a more upscale dress code involving dresses, skirts, or business pants for women and a jacket and slacks for men.
Eleven Madison Park - New York City, NY
Topping the list at #5 (on the world list), Eleven Madison Park in New York, New York, is literally one of the absolute best dining experiences in America. Co-owned by Humm and Guidara, this marvelously grand, art deco, European-styled eatery serves all the best in classic European cuisine with a New York twist. Enjoy the famously talked about high ceiling that provides the utmost class to the dining area, as well as the playful and delicious food options such as the ever-popular ‘name that milk’ dessert, in which you will taste local chocolate and guess the animal ingredients. Our personal favorite choice? The Aged Ribeye Steak or Roasted Duck, both of which continue to be favorites here, though most of the time you will just choose from a seasonal ‘tasting menu’.
Reservations: 28 - 60 Days in Advance, under 6 people per party, 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Michelin Stars: 3
Le Bernardin - New York City, NY
Next up on the list is Le Bernardin, sitting at #18 out of 50. Here in this classic New York eatery, you will find luxury seafood dishes prepared with the finest technical skills, flair, and flavors. This gorgeous eatery gives off a distinctive Parisian flair, the cookery itself blending an excellent combination of Japanese Butchery and French cuisine flavor. Le Bernardin is known to be an ‘international byword for culinary experience’, and really sets the standards for New York, and the United States in general, for how fish should be prepared, cooked and served properly. Talk about a unique tasting experience!
Reservations: 30 - 7 Days in Advance, 5:15 pm to 10:30 pm, Saturday 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Michelin Stars: 3
Alinea - Chicago, IL
Head to Chicago for some seriously interesting food at Alinea, the cutting edge eatery that takes up spot #26 on the list. Alinea provides every foodie the culinary adventure of their dreams, allowing them to experiment as they never have before with both food and all of their senses, and we do mean all of them. Enjoy such experimental dishes as the Edible Balloon made from Dehydrated Apple and filled with helium, or perhaps opt-in for the more flavorful complex Lobster Curry with Earl Grey Grapefruit. You can also just choose to try any of the featured seasonal tasting menus (18 courses), giving you a better overall sense of what the chef’s here can do. Alinea is constantly ‘redefining what a restaurant can be’, and is doing so quite gracefully and tastefully!
Reservations: 30 Days in Advance, 2-6 people per party, 5 pm to 9:30 pm
Michelin Stars: 1
Per Se - New York City, NY
If you haven’t noticed yet, New York sort of holds the reigns on American fine cuisine, and this next stop at Per Se is no exception! Ranking at #40 on the list, Per Se provides contemporary French-American food and plays as East Coast sister site to French Laundry in California (#50). Per Se has been wowing guests with their signature dishes since opening in 2004, their innovation and creativity bringing in an ever-evolving menu based on fresh American ingredients and classic French cuisine. Enjoy the classic ambiance, fresh ingredients locally sourced, and overall high-quality dining experience provided here. Be sure you try the signature Oysters and Pearls dish before you go, if you saved enough room, that is.
Reservations: 30 Days in Advance, 5:30 pm to 9:45 pm, Saturday 11:30 to 1:30 pm
Michelin Stars: 3
Blue Hill at Stone Barns - Pocantico Hills, NY
Not quite in New York City, but still providing all that sassy New York flair we love is #49 on the list, Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills. Just about 30 minutes north of New York City, this award-winning Farm to Table eatery operates on a four-season farm, each available local ingredient driving the menu daily. If you want fresh food that’s full of flavor, Dan Barber and his Hudson Valley produce here at Blue Hill are the way to go. Barber deals with experimental cultivars and cross-pollination, creating a tasting menu unlike any other. This eatery is all about elemental education, so while looking at the Grazing, Pecking, Rooting taste menu you may watch a video of catching a fish used in the meals, or something along those lines.
Reservations: 2-60 Days in Advance, under 8 people per party
Michelin Stars: 1
French Laundry - Yountville, CA
Topping off the list at #50 is the California Coastal eatery by the name of French Laundry. This stone farmhouse eatery in Yountville provides modern French-American Food within the Napa Valley that seems to ‘awaken the senses’. As mentioned before this is a sister site to Per Se in New York, each providing the same decadence, signature dishes, and ever-evolving menus. Here you will find a daily changing 9-course tasting menu (also available in vegetarian), as well as classics such as the Oysters and Pearls and the local favorite of Salmon Tartare Cornet.
Reservations: 30 Days in Advance, 5:30 pm to 9:15 pm, Saturday 11 to 12:30 pm
Michelin Stars: 3
