Originally Posted by
stimpy
I've never been to 11 Madison so no comment there. But I have met CGRA and I think you have erred in saying he lacks credibility. And I have to say in my opinion you aren't really appreciating all that fine dining is if you can't see the differences between European and US restaurants. This is common for Americans so don't worry. I'm American myself and it took a fair bit of time for me to fully appreciate fine French dining, as well as that of other countries. There are elements of really top quality at some US restaurants, but they generally, well almost always, do not have the complete package as a top Euro restaurant has. Anyone who has real experience at this can easily find faults at any US restaurant. But I try to not let it spoil my meal and just focus on the good parts.
I appreciate your opinion, but I still must disagree. I am American, but I've lived abroad and traveled all over the world. My husband lived in Europe for several years, and he also has traveled all over the world. We've been to the many European capitals and small villages and had some fabulous dining there, of course. But the pretentiousness of assuming that Eleven Madison Park is but a 1 star compared with many restaurants in France is overmuch even for me.
There is an assumption that somehow some things with food and wine are just inherently better in Europe, and I find that assumption as laughable as American exceptionalism. There are amazing things in Europe, just as there are amazing things in many other places. Sometimes Americans have a tougher time accepting this than others; in this case, I think it is your friend who is having the tougher time.
Great food is great food--but everyone has their own preferred tastes. Great service is great service--but different cultures have their own preferences and standards. Europeans tend to look down on service standards abroad because it is more relaxed and casual compared to what is considered proper service in Europe...but that doesn't make the service better. It just makes the service more old school and European. Much like wine.
The slight against Eleven Madison Park's 3 stars is as laughable to me as Noma's having only 2 stars. I've dined at many of the top 2 and 3 star restaurants in Paris, as I've dined in most of the top 2 and 3 star restaurants in most major cities around the world. I don't believe that any country has the best or a monopoly on the best...despite many believing some do.
I wonder what our mutual friend will say about The Test Kitchen in Cape Town or Central in Lima...or even the special La Cena del Oro at the MAP Cafe in Cusco--1 specific meal which I'd put up against the best 3 star restaurants in the world without blinking. I wore jeans at them all...so I'm sure that might disqualify those by esteemed colleagues. Even though it's supposed to be about the food and service (actually now Michelin is claiming it's only about the food, which is also a laugh). There's no doubt that far more than France can account for some incredible creativity and amazing food throughout the world. Your friend is just wrong.