There seems to be two trends amongst the restaurants listed so far - those that were once great but are living on past reputation (for example, Patina in the Walt Disney Concert Hall vs. Patina on Melrose Avenue); and those that gained fame/reputation on factors other than the food (unique location, celeb hangouts, etc), and never really served good food from the outset.

I'm just surprised that Buca, McAllisters and Jimmy Johns are in a thread about fine dining. I gave you some recommendations, give 'em try. Good Luck.

Patina on Melrose hasn't existed for the last couple of years+
Providence, a seafood restaurant is in it's place. I don't think anyone in Los Angeles goes to Patina at Disney expecting great food; it's about convenience to Disney Hall. I do agree with your premise that certain restaurants gained fame/reputation on factors other than the food...Chasen's was the perfect example of a restaurant which was comfortable, well publicized and had mediocre food. I often wondered who planted the item about Liz Taylor ordering Chasen's Chili to the set of Cleopatra in Rome? My guess, is that Dave Chasen had a brilliant publicist as that chili was really dreadful. Better chili could be found at Tommy's on Beverly Boulevard in East Los Angeles.

Beat me to it! Especially overrated by FlyerTalkers.

While I not an In-n-Out fanatic, I do believe it serves the best fastfood hamburger meal. The burger itself is solid but nothing special. What is really amazing are the fries that actually taste like potato and the creamy, real ice cream milkshakes.

I have only been to Tavern on the green once and I lived in NYC for over 16 years, All I have to say is that the way overprices shrimp tasted like cardboard. I rather hit up a hot dog vendor then spend a cent in that trap

Oh god I'd never imply that McAllisters and Jimmy Johns are fine dining. I was using those as examples of places that people claimed were good but in reality were bland. I've never been to Buca's. I have no idea what kind of atmosphere it is or what level of food or service it is.

I'll certainly check out at least a couple of the places you mentioned. 14 West would be one and Harry & Izzys probably the other. I've wanted to try the Eagles Nest mainly because of the atmosphere but I've heard mixed reviews about the food.

Hands down El-Bulli. Usually people who tell you how great it is never went there, just heard somebody blablabla.

Don't ever waste your time going there.

Harry's Bar Venezia
I have no idea how the restauarant upstairs ever got a Michelin star.
If you must, get ripped off on a seriously overpriced drink in the bar.
Stop there.

+1. I would agree with you. I have been her about 3-4 times over the number of years, since the 1990's as a college student into the 2000's as an income-generating adult. I have never been impressed with the food. It's simply not that good.

Yes, I agree about the "Berkeley aloof" attitude. Don't think that's a Berkeley thing per se, but probably a SF BayArea thing: I'm too cool and eco/green-friendly to be proper waitstaff, I am just here to get money to pay the bills.

Interesting. I had been thinking about making a trip to go here, but thanks for your post. I will re-consider. I think that 300-350 euros is a lot to pay if you're not getting the 'best meal in the world'.

Anyone who hasn't lived under a rock for the last couple decades
should know about Buca di Beppo, a funnish place where one doesn't
go for food or a romantic evening. Sort of like a low-class Cheesecake
Factory

It's not a crime to be in one's teens or early 20s, btw.

I never said it was.

+1. I think Buca di peppo should not be in the same thread as Per se, French Laundry, Chez Panisse, Charlie Trotter's, etc. We go to buca di peppo when can't get reservations anywhere else and there are kids in the party who want to make noise and a mess...

Interesting...

Can you elaborate a bit as to why you consider elBulli overrated and when did you go there? What three-star places would you consider as more deserving of their fame?

Cheers,
T.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/burger-king-new-york-10