Nothing Better To Rile Up SS Than Food Threads
The_Non
5,691 Posts
Hey folls,
Get your debate on with this list, very NYC heavy and very few Southern restaurants:
101 Best Restaurants in America for 2012
Francesco Tonelli, Arun'sThaiRestaurant, Jonathan Young
http://www.thedailymeal.com/101-best-restaurants-america
101 Best Restaurants for 2012:
101. La Grenouille, New York City
100. Bar Masa, New York City
99. Michael Mina, San Francisco
98. The Pit, Raleigh, N.C.
97. Jitlada, Los Angeles
96. The Walrus and the Carpenter, Seattle
95. SriPraPhai, Queens, N.Y.
94. Jaleo, Las Vegas
93. Charlie Trotter???s, Chicago
92. Boulevard, San Francisco
91. Stephan Pyles, Dallas
90. The Four Seasons, New York City
89. Tertulia, New York City
88. O-Ya, Boston
87. Palena Caf??, Washington, D.C.
86. Zahav, Philadelphia
85. Son of a Gun, Los Angeles
84. Arun's, Chicago
83. Ben???s Chili Bowl, Washington, D.C.
82. Casa Mono, New York City
81. The Bazaar, Los Angeles
80. La Taqueria, San Francisco
79. The Hitching Post II, Buellton, Calif.
78. Gjelina, Venice, Calif.
77. Boulud Sud, New York City
76. Ad Hoc, Yountville, Calif.
75. Father???s Office, Los Angeles
74. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Miami
73. McCrady's, Charleston, S.C.
72. Valentino, Santa Monica, Calif.
71. Coi, San Francisco
70. Herbfarm, Seattle
69. Beast, Portland, Ore.
68. Al Forno, Providence, R.I.
67. Joe's Stone Crab, Miami
66. The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tenn.
65. minibar, Washington, D.C.
64. Spago, Los Angeles
63. The Publican, Chicago
62. Le Pigeon, Portland, Ore.
61. Luling City Market, Houston
60. Gotham Bar And Grill, New York City
59. Spiaggia, Chicago
58. Galatoire's, New Orleans
57. The Dutch, New York City
56. Osteria Morini, New York City
55. Mustard's Grill, Napa, Calif.
54. Fonda San Miguel, Austin, Texas
53. Roberta???s, Brooklyn, N.Y.
52. August, New Orleans
51. Lucques, Los Angeles
50. Fig, Los Angeles
49. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven, Conn.
48. Arthur Bryant's, Kansas City, Mo.
47. Minetta Tavern, New York City
46. The Modern, New York City
45. Fearing's, Dallas
44. Locanda Verde, New York City
43. Masa, New York City
42. Slanted Door, San Francisco
41. Husk, Charleston, S.C.
40. Kreuz Market, Lockhart, Texas
39. Flour + Water, San Francisco
38. The Little Owl, New York City
37. Del Posto, New York City
36. Zuni Cafe, San Francisco
35. Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Va.
34. Le Bec-Fin, Philadelphia
33. Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
32. Jo??l Robuchon, Las Vegas
31. Canlis, Seattle
30. Frontera Grill, Chicago
29. Bouchon Bistro, Yountville, Calif.
28. Next, Chicago
27. Katz's Deli, New York City
26. Vetri, Philadelphia
25. Animal, Los Angeles
24. WD-50, New York City
23. Girl & the Goat, Chicago
22. Commander's Palace, New Orleans
21. Marea, New York City
20. Cochon, New Orleans
19. Daniel, New York City
18. Peter Luger, Brooklyn, N.Y.
17. ABC Kitchen, New York City
16. Jean Georges, New York City
15. Franklin Barbecue, Austin, Texas
14. Babbo, New York City
13. Blue Hill Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, N.Y.
12. Pok Pok, Portland, Ore.
11. L'Atelier de Jo??l Robouchon, New York City
10. Citronelle, Washington, D.C.
9. Gramercy Tavern, New York City
8. Momofuku Ss??m, New York City
7. Per Se, New York City
6. Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles
5. French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.
4. Eleven Madison Park, New York City
3. Chez Panisse, Berkeley, Calif.
2. Alinea, Chicago
1. Le Bernardin, New York City
Get your debate on with this list, very NYC heavy and very few Southern restaurants:
101 Best Restaurants in America for 2012
Francesco Tonelli, Arun'sThaiRestaurant, Jonathan Young
http://www.thedailymeal.com/101-best-restaurants-america
101 Best Restaurants for 2012:
101. La Grenouille, New York City
100. Bar Masa, New York City
99. Michael Mina, San Francisco
98. The Pit, Raleigh, N.C.
97. Jitlada, Los Angeles
96. The Walrus and the Carpenter, Seattle
95. SriPraPhai, Queens, N.Y.
94. Jaleo, Las Vegas
93. Charlie Trotter???s, Chicago
92. Boulevard, San Francisco
91. Stephan Pyles, Dallas
90. The Four Seasons, New York City
89. Tertulia, New York City
88. O-Ya, Boston
87. Palena Caf??, Washington, D.C.
86. Zahav, Philadelphia
85. Son of a Gun, Los Angeles
84. Arun's, Chicago
83. Ben???s Chili Bowl, Washington, D.C.
82. Casa Mono, New York City
81. The Bazaar, Los Angeles
80. La Taqueria, San Francisco
79. The Hitching Post II, Buellton, Calif.
78. Gjelina, Venice, Calif.
77. Boulud Sud, New York City
76. Ad Hoc, Yountville, Calif.
75. Father???s Office, Los Angeles
74. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Miami
73. McCrady's, Charleston, S.C.
72. Valentino, Santa Monica, Calif.
71. Coi, San Francisco
70. Herbfarm, Seattle
69. Beast, Portland, Ore.
68. Al Forno, Providence, R.I.
67. Joe's Stone Crab, Miami
66. The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tenn.
65. minibar, Washington, D.C.
64. Spago, Los Angeles
63. The Publican, Chicago
62. Le Pigeon, Portland, Ore.
61. Luling City Market, Houston
60. Gotham Bar And Grill, New York City
59. Spiaggia, Chicago
58. Galatoire's, New Orleans
57. The Dutch, New York City
56. Osteria Morini, New York City
55. Mustard's Grill, Napa, Calif.
54. Fonda San Miguel, Austin, Texas
53. Roberta???s, Brooklyn, N.Y.
52. August, New Orleans
51. Lucques, Los Angeles
50. Fig, Los Angeles
49. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven, Conn.
48. Arthur Bryant's, Kansas City, Mo.
47. Minetta Tavern, New York City
46. The Modern, New York City
45. Fearing's, Dallas
44. Locanda Verde, New York City
43. Masa, New York City
42. Slanted Door, San Francisco
41. Husk, Charleston, S.C.
40. Kreuz Market, Lockhart, Texas
39. Flour + Water, San Francisco
38. The Little Owl, New York City
37. Del Posto, New York City
36. Zuni Cafe, San Francisco
35. Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Va.
34. Le Bec-Fin, Philadelphia
33. Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
32. Jo??l Robuchon, Las Vegas
31. Canlis, Seattle
30. Frontera Grill, Chicago
29. Bouchon Bistro, Yountville, Calif.
28. Next, Chicago
27. Katz's Deli, New York City
26. Vetri, Philadelphia
25. Animal, Los Angeles
24. WD-50, New York City
23. Girl & the Goat, Chicago
22. Commander's Palace, New Orleans
21. Marea, New York City
20. Cochon, New Orleans
19. Daniel, New York City
18. Peter Luger, Brooklyn, N.Y.
17. ABC Kitchen, New York City
16. Jean Georges, New York City
15. Franklin Barbecue, Austin, Texas
14. Babbo, New York City
13. Blue Hill Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, N.Y.
12. Pok Pok, Portland, Ore.
11. L'Atelier de Jo??l Robouchon, New York City
10. Citronelle, Washington, D.C.
9. Gramercy Tavern, New York City
8. Momofuku Ss??m, New York City
7. Per Se, New York City
6. Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles
5. French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.
4. Eleven Madison Park, New York City
3. Chez Panisse, Berkeley, Calif.
2. Alinea, Chicago
1. Le Bernardin, New York City
Comments
Fathers Office gets a nod off of an (albeit very good) hamburger? Wtf?
.....
Damn, is the steak at Peter Luger's that good?
Now I'll never get a seat...
Cuban Grill - Van Buren, Arkansas - I've been to Miami & Key West and eaten at the so-called best Cuban spots in the country. This place, in an old fast food joint just North of Fort Smith and it's 70+ year old Cuban cook gets my vote for best Cuban food I've ever had.
Russ's Ribs - Bristow, Oklahoma - Known for their specialty "Tri-Tips" of beef. Putting Bar-B-Q sauce on their meat should be a crime.
Dutch Pantry - Chouteau, Oklahoma - This is the ONLY buffet restaurant that I will eat at. Southern homestyle food made from scratch and deserts like you wouldn't believe. I might kill for their Pineapple/Coconut Pie.
Prince Grill - Arlington, Texas In an old Sonic Drive-In and not a bad dish on the menu. Falafel is out of this world and the Shish Tawook is ridiculous.
Perini Ranch - Buffalo Gap, Texas - Best steak for the money west of the Mississippi. Their zucchini dish will make zucchini haters see the light. Don't go if a dog walking around the restaurant bothers you or without a reservation made at least a week ahead of time.
Wasn't impressed at all when I ate there.
Happy to see Franklin's BBQ in Austin on the list though.
I've heard this from many people. I think it's constantly on "Best Restaurants" lists because Alice Waters is considered a culinary goddess and was on the forefront of the whole organic, farm-to-table movement -- not necessarily because food is awesome and groundbreaking.
CP at #3 is a total joke. It's so out of whack that it pretty much discredits the entire list. Mustard's at #55 is a joke, as well (shouldn't even make the USA's top 101, maybe a Bay Area Top 101). Zuni (#36) has also become irrelevant in recent years. It's like some of these restaurants were rated on their reputations from 15-20 years ago. Good for debate though!
What is this Zagat '95?
Yeah, everybody's just bowing down to Alice Waters' reputation, and while the food at CP is just fine, there are way better meals to be had in the Bay Area--and for way cheaper, too.
"Mini-Pizzas and delish desserts make this Italian eatery a must! Ravioli? Holy Cannoli!"
Chris Farley was killing it in that sketch.
Suprised Pizza Mart didn't make the list.
I'll travel far for good bar-B-Q
95. SriPraPhai, Queens, N.Y. - ??? Maybe top 50 in Queens...7-10 years ago?
89. Tertulia, New York City - This just opened a few months ago. There's buzz from his other restaurants, and he got glowing 2* NYT review, but it would be better placed in top NEW restaurants of 2011-2012
60. Gotham Bar And Grill, New York City - Another dinosaur, but 2011 3* NYT review may confirm position. Menu is boring Green Market New American, Asian influence etc....
57. The Dutch, New York City - I've worked for Andrew so I'm biased. Eaten here and it's good plus great feel. Safely Top 50 New Restaurants 2011-2012.
56. Osteria Morini, New York City - I haven't been but ate at Convivio when he was partner/chef. Not great and poorly executed but can see appeal. I'm sure he was not in kitchen.
53. Roberta???s, Brooklyn, N.Y. - I don't get it although I do understand the DIY appeal and trend. It's Bushwick, it's an empty lot turned garden, "foraged" food, etc. Pizza and bread are amazing---real bakers here and oven is true Italian import brick for brick. Toppings need work and lack balance. Also, pizza is separate kitchen and crew from "a la carte" kitchen. Chef is not formally trained and it shows. It's free associative plates of aged meats and tasteless vegetables and purees. I once received an entire lamb saddle, bone-in roasted whole with belly flaps intact. It was over salted and I was choking on the fat and sinew. People are like, "he's reinventing how we eat" when in actuality he just doesn't know how to butcher it. This is true and people are confused. I know Carlo, he's a good guy, I wish him the best. I'm just saying.
47. Minetta Tavern, New York City - This is a bold spot. This is a REALLY good restaurant and I know a lot of people who have worked/work here. Once of my best meals of 2011. The black label Burger is probably better than any piece of Beef you will receive at Peter Lugers. Still, #47 in the country? I'll put it in the top 100 though
46. The Modern, New York City - Never been, heard good things. 46 though?
44. Locanda Verde, New York City - Good. I wonder if Ciano is not better rival? Conspicuously absent from list.
43. Masa, New York City - who really knows. I did try to get a job here once though. I was only white guy except for one other guy and no one would even talk to me or acknowledge me except for that guy. There were 13 or 14 cooks and only 3 lunch covers. and only 1 dude was allowed to make the rice and Masa and and his Disciples would just wander through the kitchen with these giant wooden rice paddles like they were going to beat you with them any second. The walk-in was a complete disaster with prob over $5000 in inventory of japanese vegetables, herbs, fish, roe, etc. and no one seemed to belly up to try and deal with organizing it. I was asked to cut these perfect 1'2 in medallions of kurobuta pork loin and later discovered they were only for the staff meal. Must be nice.
38. The Little Owl, New York City - still?
37. Del Posto, New York City - would love to try.
36. Zuni Cafe, San Francisco - in 2012?
35. Inn at Little Washington, Washington, Va. - in 2012?
34. Le Bec-Fin, Philadelphia - in 2012?
27. Katz's Deli, New York City - Come on
24. WD-50, New York City - No one I've ever known who has eaten here has not left looking for the nearest corner slice. I'm not joking and yes I've known quite a few people.
21. Marea, New York City - Again is Michael White there everyday? Is this consistent?
19. Daniel, New York City - Still?
18. Peter Luger, Brooklyn, N.Y. - I don't know....There's SO many other steakhouses in NY and across the country, and it's just not this exclusive anymore. I'll bet Minetta Tavern could go toe to toe, and when you consider 20 other items on Minetta menu blow Luger out of the water i'm tempted to say this is another restaurant of the past (to name a few others listed here)
14. Babbo, New York City - Still?
13. Blue Hill Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, N.Y. - Eaten here twice. Not at all impressed. Tasting menu not well constructed or thought out. For example yogurt was base to 2 consecutive salads of mostly raw vegetables. And both were not memorable. Tepid typical "slow cooked egg" over tepid bean ragout. underseasoned and cold by second bite. Blue Hill NYC much better executed. But farm is absolutely beautiful and it's so cool to just walk around it whether you choose to eat there or not. And dining room is sweet. it's almost worth it just to anticipate the meal you anticipate having. Maybe I just had 2 off nights? It's a lot of money to take a 3rd chance though
11. L'Atelier de Jo??l Robouchon, New York City - too hard to get reservation and too many other restaurants out there
9. Gramercy Tavern, New York City - Pretty good for volume they do. Really good place for out-of-towner to get into NY. #9?? No way.
8. Momofuku Ss??m, New York City - Went when they opened. Not memorable. Momofuku overrated. You're down or you're not. I maintain the latter.
7. Per Se, New York City - Can't say
4. Eleven Madison Park, New York City - Last meal was 5 years ago. Meal was 50% out of this world 50% forgettable. Since then they've received 2 more stars and plenty of accolades. Wine recommendation was unbelievable and probably one of the top 5 wines I've ever had.
3. Chez Panisse, Berkeley, Calif. - in 2012?
2. Alinea, Chicago - I'm not into this and observe more gimmick than anything. Can anyone speak on this? objectively?
1. Le Bernardin, - So much hype after so long. Seems too good to be true. I'd love to try though.
This will not blow minds, but the best single dish I've ever had for BBQ is the brisket at Salt Lick.
I feel like I haven't been to that many out-of-the-way-secret-squirrel BBQ joints- Arthur Bryant's is good, just seemed really arbitrary.
Sorry for the let down? Would love to explore with you if I end up in Big D anytime...
I have two spots to take you to....let me know if this happens.
sneakyp, you a chef?
LBF chef retired the other day due to said review.