Somewhat disappointingly, given its recent build-up, LA rates only one entry, at number thirty three. Even more surprisingly, Britain has three in the top ten. No doubt there were more Londoners than Angelinos on the judging panel.
However, American, indeed Californian, pride is salvaged by having the "French Laundry" at the very top of the list!
I'm sad to say that I've only eaten at two of the restaurants. I found the food in the River Cafe to be very dull, but the grub at the Waterside was good. The meal at the latter was enlivened by the fact that the late King Hussein of Jordan was dining at the next table, accompanied by a ravishingly beautiful blonde of perhaps seventeen summers. "She is His Majesty's god-daughter", the waiter informed us gravely. As there were at least eight armed bodyguards in the car park, none of us felt brave enough to contest the point.
Here's the list:
French Laundry, Yountville, CA, USA THE FAT DUCK, Bray El Bulli, Spain L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Paris Pierre Gagnaire, Paris Guy Savoy, Paris NOBU, London RESTAURANT GORDON RAMSAY, London Louis XV, Monaco Gramercy Tavern, New York Daniel, New York Tetsuya's, Sydney HAKKASAN, London THE WATERSIDE INN, Bray ST JOHN, London L'Ami Louis, Paris Jean Georges, New York LE GAVROCHE, London Flower Drum, Melbourne THE MERCHANT HOUSE, Ludlow Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain Dal Pescatore, Canneto sull'Oglio, Italy THE IVY, London Arpege, Paris El Raco de Can Fabes, San Celoni, Spain Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn, Germany The Cliff, Barbados Rockpool, Sydney LE MANOIR AUX QUAT' SAISONS, Oxford Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Charlie Trotter, Chicago Le Jardin des Sens, Montpellier THE SQUARE, London Spago, Los Angeles Bukhara, India Chez Panisse, California Le Meurice, Paris Trois Gros, Roanne, France Balthazar, New York RIVER CAF�, London La Tupina, Bordeaux Auberge d'Ill, Illhauseern-Alsace Craft, New York Le Tour d'Argent, Paris La Maison de Marc Veyrat, Annecy, France Felix, Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong De Karmeliet, Bruges THE WOLSELEY, London Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo
John -- Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/
