The story behind Le Bernardin is fairly famous as it was so remarkable. It was a successful and well established Paris restaurant with 2 Michelin stars. The owners decided to open in NY (actually made an offer that they could not refuse, very lavish premises with the best kitchen that a restaurant could have -- more square footage than the dining room; all funded by the developer of an office building located a block the wrong way on 7th Ave. which was Siberia in those days, and desperate for a flagship restaurant to attract the right people). Thus Le Bernardin came to be in NYC, and it was far better and more successful than the Paris location. Thus a famous Paris restaurant closes in order to do business in NY. It would easily have been Michelin 3 star rated during its glory days (but I think now it is somewhere between 1 and 2 star). Lots of interesting sidelights to Le Bernardin and how it changed the restaurant scene in the US. Probably established the market for skate and sea urchin single-handedly (and yes sea urchin is an acquired taste, also a good indicator of the quality of a restaurant).

Thanks, number-6. Very interesting story. BTW, never did acquire a taste for sea urchin.

La Rosetta in Rome near to Pantheon is one of the best seafood restaurant.

Look to Spain? (Or was that Norway?)
 

To me THE best seafood meal ever was at restarant KAIA in Getaria, midway between San Sebastian and BIO on the northern coast of Spain. Wild turbot straight from the ocean, onto the outdoor grill in the street outside, condiments consisting of olive oil, lemon and coarse sea salt, ah! (And I've done my share of 3* restaurants in Europe).
Combined with a correct level of service, not too steep a price and one of the best stocked cellars in Northern Spain when it comes to Rioja and I know I'll be back!
And: Since my own country does have a rather nice reputation regarding seafood there is no way past Bagatelle in Oslo. Elaborately prepared dishes that never lose sight of the origins of the raw material.

Probably not the best but certainly a favourite of ours is The Dead Fish at Crocket just outside San Fran.The platters of mussells,crab and shrimp simply done on the hot plate with garlic are fantastic.If we are going to be any where near in our travels we will always call in.

Roy's
 

Actually the Roy's on the mainland are owned by the same operating company that owns Outback Steakhouse. The Roy's in Hawaii are still owned and operated by Roy Yamaguchi. Hence the difference.

Le Dome in Paris.

In San Francisco, it's Scoma's
 

If you're in San Francisco, walk right by the touristier places at Fisherman's Wharf to Scoma's. No reservations, it's always first come, first served. Get by the hoopla, ask what's fresh and good and mangia... If you're lucky, you may get Lori serving you (Barbara's retired, sorry!) Lunch and dinner daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas eve and Christmas.

Walk west down Jefferson Street Pier 47 on Al Scoma way (foot of Jones St.)

To follow up, the restaurant was owned and operated by Gilbert and Maguy LeCoze with Gilbert the Executive Chef and with Eric Ripert, Chef de Cuisine. Gilbert passed away in 1994 and at that time Ripert became Executive Chef.

I thought Bernardin was outstanding when I first visited in 1998. However, a recent visit this year I was not as impressed.

I think J. Sheekey in London may make an Honourable Mention list for seafood. Another place in London I hear is excellent but have not yet had the chance to try out is Restaurant 101 in the Sheraton Park Tower.

Hmmm...I've been to Roy's in Chicago and Philly, and didn't have a great dining experience at either location. I wouldn't recommend.

Lots of great places in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle and Portland have lots of winners with fresh fish. I would have to agree with the above poster about the Oceanaire. Very good fish! I've been to the Seattle location and the one in Dallas. Both were excellent.

Another vote for Aqua in San Francisco

ok Smarty, I now understand from your post about butter fish why you want to go to Roy's here in Chicago. :)

Favorite seafood experiences (sorry can't always name the restaurant):

Frog leg's as a kid, they used to serve them in more restaurants than they do now

Freshwater fish (walleye, perch, pike) that we caught, cleaned and fried or grilled up (includes camping)

Bookbinder's in Philadelphia (now closed :( )

Oyters on the 1/2 shell at Felix's in New Orleans, also first oyster po' boy sandwich.

Chili and pepper crab in Singapore

Fresh fried smelt w/cold beer in a local bar when they are being caught in Lake Michigan

Sushi at Tesuke market in Tokyo and even more enjoyable was Tojo's in Vancouver

wild Alaskan King Salmon at some restuarant in Seattle. I'm now a salmon snob because of this incredible fish, not much from the Atlantic compares to Pacific IMO.

Various Poke in Hawaii

Lobster roll sandwiches in Maine

Soft shell crabs

Best fast food seafood in Chicago is the grilled yellow fin tuna sandwich at Portillo's.

Well, that post was a year ago - so I've had the opportunity to go to Roy's in Chicago, but my more recent comment to you was because Cheryl had mentioned us having a litte meet-up there. But she chose Flat Top instead. ;)

Since when did I choose FTG over Roys??? :confused: Besides, you could've started a FT dinner at Roys Cgo...