Best restaurants in the world 2014
 

Had the full tasting menu with wine pairings at La Pergola last night. Still pondering the experience. My initial thought is this seems like a place that is better shared with that special someone, rather than just an epicurean destination in and of itself. I saw lots of mistresses, or so it appeared.

Interesting that the fagotelli carbonara wasn't on the menu. That's sort of a Heinz Beck staple. In hindsight I should have asked for it - they are very flexible with respect to the courses

I had a great meal at Saaga in Helsinki, but it's been quite some time. Make sure and have reindeer filet somewhere on your trip. Very tasty

Fäviken anyone?

http://www.departures.com/lifestyle/...on-experiments
http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/...inners/faviken
http://favikenmagasinet.se/en/

What's the best restaurant you've ever been to, and where was it?
 

My last thread for tonight...

What was the best rest. you've been to and where was it?

When it first launched, Gordon Ramsay at the London NYC.

After a few years during the recession, it would have to be L20 in Chicago.

Loved them both. The food and service also were.......mind boggling.

Now being a person living with IBS, I no longer frequent such places, because I cannot.

I don't think I could name a single best restaurant. I also tend to subscribe to the Jonathan Gold principle of restaurants-- some of the best places you'll find are little family run places in strip malls where you least expect them.

Some recent top choices

Chung King in San Gabriel, CA. Excellent authentic Sichuan, and when we showed up with 6 or 7 people about a half hour before closing they kept the kitchen going for at least another hour, long after everyone else was gone and they asked us if we needed anything else before shutting it down (we did get more on the first pass). Looks like it's closed now, but may have quietly moved again.

101 Noodle Express in Arcadia, CA. Pretty diverse menu, I could sit and eat there for hours.

Guelaguetza in LA. (Oaxacan) Their former outpost restaurant (fast food style seating) was actually better than the flagship, and quieter, too. The moles are really awesome, and the Oaxacan tamales with dark mole especially so. On a cold day the champurrado is a nice way to warm up (hot chocolate with masa)

Some hand pulled noodle place on Valley that's long since closed. The hand pulled noodles were great, but the ring of lightly fried pork bao was spectacular.

La Fornaretta in Pasadena, CA. Long since closed. Amazing italian food (mostly Sicilian, but the pizzas were more northern. The bread was like crack. They got priced out as the area went upscale and I think the scientologists bought the building they were in. There's a sibling in Berkeley I haven't eaten at (run by their relatives) and the owners of the Pasadena version relocated it to Stockton or something.

Kuala Lumpur, also in Pasadena and long since closed. They never had a liquor license, so they just couldn't afford the area. Everyone who ever ate there just sighs when you mention the name. For real.

Eastern & Orient Express. It's a train ride in SE Asia. Best food ever and to my surprise the head chef was British.

Long time, nice to see you; and thanks for the suggestion.

Special dining by rail sounds like a good change.

I think I'd have to say Les Pres d'Eugenie in Eugenie-les-Bains, southwestern France.

The sadly closed Gordon Ramsey at the Conrad Tokyo.

Ondines at the marina, Vancouver, BC. Closed 1986.

Probably Osteria Francescana. This year I think my best meal was at The Ledbury.

Minibar: Washington, DC
Chez Panisse: Berkeley, CA
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon: Las Vegas, NV

What's the best restaurant you've ever been to, and where was it?
 

Dill in Reykjavik , been for 3 times , always full of surprise !

I dunno, it's a toss up between the Golden Corral and Olive Garden for me. :D

But in all seriousness it would be hard for me to narrow it down to just one. I like dining experiences and I am often criticized for how much money I'm willing to spend on it. I then simply point out that I don't buy new clothes every three months, spend $10 on coffee every morning, and I clean my own house. I don't have any kids to out through college either. I have no shame in paying for a nice meal.

What's the best restaurant you've ever been to, and where was it?
 

I like small, out of the way, neighborhood places. Rino's Place in East Boston (close to BOS)... Small neighborhood restaurant (seats around 24 or so), has a 29 Zagat rating, was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and has some of the best Italian I've ever put in to my pasta hole. Great prices too... be prepared to wait though!