chuckeats.com Blog » My Favorite Restaurants

My Favorite Restaurants

(updated 06/12/07)

Manresa (Bay Area) - perfect expressions of ingredients, will only get better with their bio-dynamic garden producing wonderful vegetables. Read review.
Sawa Sushi (Bay Area) - the highest quality fish in America. Read review.
Urasawa (LA) - the definition of refinement, the soul of a chef on a plate. Read review.
Providence (LA) - it blew me away on my only visit. I will be re-visiting soon.
Momofuku (NY) - the cheapest on this list but very high quality, particularly the pork and seafood. Read review.
Kuruma Zushi (NY) - the 2nd best fish in America. Read review.

Gagnaire (Paris) - “organic” experimentation that explores taste and texture, stunning. Read review.
Michel Bras (Lagouile) - ultra-refined yet deceivingly simple, some of the best ingredients on earth. Read review.
L’Arpege (Paris) - the best vegetables on the planet. Read review.
Les Ambassadeur (Paris) - let out just a touch more creativity, the ingredients are nearly perfect. Read review. The truffle trip visit vaulted this near the top.
Ledoyen (Paris) - simply, a beautiful meal.
Regis Marcon (Hermitage area) - refined, technically exact, more what every Michelin 3 star restaurant should aspire to be. Read review.
Fat Duck (London area) - experimental but more “organic” and very satisfying. Read review.
Can Roca (Barcelona area) - incorporate time into their dishes, many have long-lasting taste notes. Read review.

Keyah Grande - wilder experiments with very high quality ingredients - more worked than not. They will re-open with a new place; for now, you can read their blog. Read old review.
Bastide - experiments in taste, texture, and temperature; a baby Gagnaire. He will open a new place in LA sometime later this year. For now, you can buy his book or watch his wife on the current Apprentice. Read old review.

L’Ambrosie (Paris) - perfect modern French, read about it on Gastroville.
Etxebarri (San Sebastian) - the master of the grill with perfect seafood, read about it on Chez Pim.
Hispania (Barcelona area) - perfect ingredients cooked perfectly, read about it on Gastroville.

These restaurants are at the cusp - it may just take one more visit or it may just require a few more very good to excellent dishes in a sitting.

French Laundry (Bay Area) - it’s technically perfect but lacking a bit of soul. Read review.
Alinea (Chicago) - he should focus on refining a few dishes instead of creating more and more.
Bouley (NY) - work on the pacing and progression of the meal. Read review.
L’Astrance (Paris) - many already think this is one of the world’s greatest new talents. Read review. I’m not convinced yet.
Mugaritz (San Sebastian) - it needs to sustain the highs throughout the meal. Read review.
Eigensinn (Toronto area) - I just need to return on a non-off day; will probably do in July for the Montreal Grand Prix. Read review.
Jean Georges (NY) - intense flavors that can’t be found anywhere else. Unfortunately, the last visit brought it down.
Le Benardin (NY) - I considered it the best cooked fish anywhere (save for maybe Gagnaire.) Read review. Unfortunately, the last meal was a poor showing.
Quince (SF) - When it’s good, it’s near sublime.

There’s potential but they need to try harder; give them 2-3 years.

11 Madison Park (NY) - Humm has some incredible dishes but the rest of the menu needs to be lifted. Read review.

Michael Grace said,

April 15, 2007 @ 11:09 pm

you are missing out on Providence Restaurant in Los Angeles.
Administrator said,

April 16, 2007 @ 6:27 pm

Michael, the Providence review is coming Apr 17 - I *think* it will make this list. It was a very good meal.
chuckeats.com Blog » 2007 » April » 18 said,

April 18, 2007 @ 12:48 am

[…] My Favorite Restaurants […]