Have you been to el Bulli? Do you disagree with the assessment that it is over-rated?

I think that a FT-er did a trip report a while back about going to El Bulli. If you do a search you might be able to find the report.

ETA: HERE is the trip report.

Agreed! Actually, I think this is even more overrated than Chez Panisse...

No, I haven't been there. But it is my understanding that elBulli food might be difficult to grasp for someone who is not used to very high end gourmet cuisine and molecular cousine.

I would be interested to hear whether the poster thought the dishes were badly made or whether the combinations were not to his liking or if there was something else he did not enjoy.

Cheers,
T.

I agree with Chez Panisse and Picasso.

On the other hand, I've had really excellent meals at Cabana las Lilas and Greens.

I would also add:

Mastro's Beverly Hills
Nobu Las Vegas
Pierre Orsi, Lyon
Cafe Deux Magots, Paris
Cafe Gray, NYC (now closed)

I also think expectation is huge. You think you're going to the 'best restaurant in the world', and your dropping around $500 cash for dinner per person, you would expect a mind-blowing meal. When it is not (how can any meal be, really?), then you get disappointed. Happiness = reality meeting expectations, so this is probably reason for disappointment.

Cafe Deux Magots is okay for a coffee or a beer. Food is just terrible. As well, Brasserie Lipp, just across the boulevard is truly dreadful, unless one really loves herring. My husband likes some herring dish at Brasserie Lipp. He'll go for his herring fix while I shop in the neighborhood.

Funnily enough that's how Mr Showbizguru and I long since solved the old problem of husband-and-wife shopping.

I retire to my favourite lunch-time pub with several broadsheet papers and she shops.

When she finally gets to the pub I'm sufficiently immunised to be able to feign interest in her purchases while not hearing a world that comes out of her mouth.

And she'll only stay for a couple of drinks which means I get driven home and
it's another perfect day of retail therapy for both parties.

Back of the net !

It's a cafe famous because of the artists who patronized it. It and many other Parisian cafes are famous as places to see, be seen, and to drink wine or cocktails. Never famous for good food.

Heard you the first 10 times you called it bland The emphasis on traditonal, not overly seasoned, dishes is what makes it nice. But back to the grudge.

Yes & Yes!

If I held a grudge against CP, why would I go back? I have nothing against CP whatsoever (OK, the service is intolerably aloof, but that's about it) it's just that it's compeltely overrated.

The food just isn't good; it's an "experience" restaurant, a shrine for 60's Berkeley nostalgia and foodies, the same way people go to Harry's Bar in Venice for the experience.

I'm perfectly happy with CP for what it is, but it most certainly does not even come close to deserving its ratings.

The restaurant receives a 28 in the Zagat, I would give it an 18 (and that's only accounting for the fact that it is the shrine of California Cuisine). The Cafe receives a 27, I would give it a solid 20 (higher than the restaurant because the food is better and, of course, you actually have a choice).

Mama's Fish House on Maui

One of the few places my friend and I visited on the advice of a non-local. Her co-worker who visits Maui once a year told us it's the "best seafood" she's ever had. Coming from New England, good local seafood joints are my thing. (Hint... when visiting Boston, avoid tourist traps like The Clambox and Woodman's)

My assesment, overpriced with okay food. My understanding is that the place used to be great and then realized they could make big money off tourists. Yup, we fell for it. Straight into a tourist trap. The place tries too hard to look like a local dive. The silly wait to check-in and then wait some more for a table to add the "exclusive" feel didn't work for me. After a shared appetizer, entree, and a couple of drinks each, the final tab with tip came to about $200. Not worth it at all.

For lunch, the food at Cafe Deux Magots isn't overwhelmingly expensive, so I'd say its okay for what you pay. I guess the reason why its overrated is because its famous, not because its known for the food.

Also add C in Vancouver to the list- which has a separate menu for reviewers as opposed to everyone else. Extremely expensive and absurdly disappointing. Nice view though. Here is a very accurate review IMHO.
http://www.stephenfung.net/a-%E2%80%...nt-experience/
http://dinehere.ca/vancouver/c-restaurant