I agree that it's ard to name just one....
Best overall experience- Tru in Chicago...their 10 course taster menu made 4 hours of dining fly by. First runner up--the Normandie Grill, Bangkok. (Wildeman, you're not the only one who, stuffed to bursting, sampled all the desserts!!!)

But boy, a frank at the Original Nathans, or the Moh Krab in one stall on Samui, or the heavenly curry from one ancient lady's pot off Silom sure make my mouth water.

Jay's Jayburgers and Taillevent.

Nothing like a hotdog and fries at Nathan's, but only the one on Surf Ave.

Then there's Peter Luger for Steak

And the Best Scilian Pizza in the Universe, L&B's Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst.

I guess "The Original Nathans" is now a trademark. Of COURSE I meant the one on Surf ave....with a skeeball chaser!

Have to agree with Helen123 on the Dining Room in SFO. The other great place I tried recently was Jean-Georges in NYC. Was looked after very well by the chef and the sommelier because of the company I was with, but I think it would rate anyway.

Has anyone tried the New York Grill in the Park Hyatt Tokyo ? I noticed some votes for the PHT in the Best Hotel thread, so some of you must have been. Absolutely outstanding views, ambience, service and food. The melt-in-your-mouth steaks have to tried to be believed and the creme brulee is unparalled anywhere I have tried.

Lucas Carton in Paris. Amazing food and incredibly gracious service. My first time there, I somewhat reflexively ordered a bottle of dry white wine. The sommelier sent over a glass of Sauternes with his compliments to better accompany my foie gras napoleon; he was right, of course--the two were magical together. (I have to confess, though, that if Jamin were still around, I'd have trouble choosing between the two.)

Thanh Binh, Cabramatta, Sydney.
Authentic Vietnamese food. Lunch for USD 4.

PremEx2000's correct -- it's definitely Charlie Trotter's in Chicago. I also like Gibson's, Hugo's Frog Bar, Morton's and Lawry's here in the Windy City; but Charlie Trotter's is unbelievable!

Hey BoSoxFan, aren't they going to tear that place down before you get the chance? The only way to top your meal would be to have a Chicago style hot dog (or maybe an Italian beef) at Wrigley Field - same time of year. (I can dream too!)

dranz mentioned Maisonette. A great choice for at least twenty consecutive years.

Not the world's best, but a new find that has been there for about five years.....Craig & Sally's in St. Thomas.

It really all comes down to what you like and what your mood is at the particular time and place, doesn't it? For example, Esteban's experience at Columbo in Lisbon and HK-UMICH's happenstance bowl of noodles with his mom in Sau Kei Wan were the perfect meals given the context. The best evenings I've ever spent dining out were at Gary Danko's in San Francisco and Grammercy Tavern in NYC (with Union Square Cafe in NYC and Genoa in PDX being close). I would not want nor expect that kind of experience at Fenway Park; that's when Legal Seafood's chowdah is the "best restaurant in the world."

I think the beauty of humans is the complex nature of our needs. There is a time and place for everything, be it Gary Danko's or Legal Seafoods.

I'd second Genoa in Portland and would add Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia. Also, a burger joint called Big Judd's 3 blocks away has never failed to please my tummy in a crunch.

Hi folks, seems typical american to be convinved that only american restaurants could be "best of the world". Only a few mentioned here are not in the US. Can�t really be true.

How about the tiny restaurant in Amsterdam�s Blakes Hotel? Great food and location. Or the same at the Hempel in London. Not to mention a lot of Parisien Restaurants...

Good topic.


My vote goes to the Beaver Club at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal.