Bump for 2009.
S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2009 Top 10:
1. El Bulli, Spain.
2. The Fat Duck, UK
3. Noma, Denmark
4. Mugaritz, Spain
5. El Celler de Can Roca, Spain
6. Per Se, US
7. Bras, France
8. Arzak, Spain
9. Pierre Gagnaire, France
10. Alinea, US
Sydney-based news item here.
Well done Spain and Spanish operators.
^
Below these perennial favourites however it's all change in the eighth annual listing of The S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants.
Copenhagen's Noma restaurant with its youthful head chef Rene Redzepi ranks third, making an exciting addition to the world's greatest chefs trinity. Noma, which rises 7 places, also takes this year's Chef's Choice Award.
...after all of the votes had been counted...head chefs of these extraordinary establishments were asked to nominate the restaurant which they considered to be the best in the world. It is the ultimate honour Redzepi's peers can bestow.
Last year's Chef's Choice, Mugaritz, retains it's highest ever position at number 4, whilst another Spanish restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, rises a staggering 21 places to the fifth place making it 2009's highest climber. With the eponymous restaurant Arzak in the 8th position, Spain can claim more restaurants at the very top echelons of the list than any other country.
Is anyone in a position to comment on whether the listed restaurants have maintained their product (as opposed to fame/reputation)?