How many you been to?

[Jenise]

The world's top 100 restaurants, that is. The new list is out.

Me? Zero. Gotta change that.

http://www.theworlds50best.com/#

4, 9, 21, 40, 44, 70, 93, 98
which is basically the NYC-based ones plus a few

Why do they pictures of the chefs? I'd rather see pictures of food.

2,16 and 62 for me, all special occasions, though.

Mark Lipton

4, 54, and 62 for me, these are splurges for me.
I can cheat with 98 (I've eaten in Nougatine room) and 64 (I've had the bo ssam, but as takeout)

21 and 62. I love seafood so le Bernardin was a natural. And a lot of us, here, have been to Manresa, 62. Highly recommended, the food is an entertainment as well as being delicious. I suppose I'm a little surprised that more of the places I have been are not on the list but I've been to OTHER restaurants of Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller, not the flagship ones. I'd like to up my score as well. Per Se, EMP, Jean Georges, Daniel, the NYC ones are obvious choices for me.

Six total. But the French Laundry numerous times but that surely doesn't qualify me as a foody.

Only one for me - #9 Alinea. Gotta add some of these to the bucket list, though.

Only #54 Blue Hill at Stone Barns; but didn't see Dale there.

Only #44, the French Laundry, for me.

-Paul W.

Two. Meadowood and Pierre Gagnaire/Paris.

And Gagnaire was every bit as profound a dining experience as I could have imagined. The most perfect restaurant meal I've ever had.

[Jenise]

I am SO jealous of you all! Dang it--this goes on the bucket list. This year, one top 50 restaurant.

Jenise: Or you can just keep looking at other "Top Restaurant" lists until you find some restaurants you've already been to.

Most of the restaurants on my Top List wouldn't even be considered for most top lists that are out there.

[Jenise]

Hoke, I get your point--I just feel pretty sorry for myself for living in a restaurant-deprived town, so indulge me a little. Was commenting on same to some other people who have formed a food-oriented Facebook page about our area and mentioned the one restaurant, and it's only a caterer who does some pop-ups so it's not like it's a place you can go when it's not convenient to cook at home, and she said, "Well some of us don't like pretentious food." To which I was forced to reply, "You're the reason there's no place around here to eat." I'm fortunate to have Vancouver nearby or it would truly be Siberia.

Oh, yeah, I hear what you're saying.

Sad that the person would think of fine dining and only come up with "pretentious" but some unfortunate people do look at things that way.

My gripe is somewhat the reverse: it's a shame so many poor to middling restaurants offer such mediocre food and shoddy service and cost so much. There are some pretty low standards out there. and that's because the majority of the public sets such a low bar, or is so easily fooled by frippery and cake icing.

In a truly fine restaurant, I never begrudge the expense, and certainly not the ritual, which is part and parcel of fine dining. It's more than taking on nutrients, satisfying a growling stomach, or stuffing your face with megaportions.

But within that fine dining realm, there are so many and so varied permutations, so many exquisite experiences, all the way from Gagnaire at one end and some truly splendid barbecue sitting in a ramshackle, greasy, joint imbued with smoke absorbed over decades in the hot Texas sun at the other. And not a bit of it "pretentious."

And I know how fortunate I am living in one of the areas of the US which is not only anti-pretentious by totally appreciate of fine dining.

[Jenise]

Portlandia is indeed an amazing food town--you're very lucky. But then, it's also true that Portland is very lucky you chose to live there. And I agree on all counts re the meaning of dining. Here's a link to my favorite restaurant in Bellingham besides the caterer--it's only for breakfast and lunch. They strive for top quality but it's absolutely down to earth and genuine. Not one of the white tablecloth establishments in this town comes anywhere close, IMO (one of same still has a salad bar, for god's sakes.)

http://www.homeskilletinsunnyland.com/

Ooh, I love that website. Got a lot of personality! I'd eat eggs there, for sure.

Portlandia is indeed an amazing food town--you're very lucky. But then, it's also true that Portland is very lucky you chose to live there. And I agree on all counts re the meaning of dining. Here's a link to my favorite restaurant in Bellingham besides the caterer--it's only for breakfast and lunch. They strive for top quality but it's absolutely down to earth and genuine. Not one of the white tablecloth establishments in this town comes anywhere close, IMO (one of the latter still has a salad bar, for god's sake.)

http://www.homeskilletinsunnyland.com/

The restaurant you mention kinda reminds me of Morning Glory in Ashland Oregon, they only do breakfast & lunch also. We never fail to have breakfast when we are in Ashland every year for The Shakespeare Festival.

It never hit me until this discussion how similar Portland OR is to Woodstock NY. Oriole9 is a great place for breakfast or lunch. And crunchy as hell.

http://www.oriole9.com/

Only one - Manresa

Only one! #98.

Nada!!! But, Fergus Henderson's place has been on my bucket list for the last 10 years or so. Never been to London, but will rectify that in 2015 and will definitely be stepping in to see old Ferg! However, I know he's been pretty sick. He has some chronic condition that I can't now recall, and he has plans to retire soon. Not before I can get there, I hope.

[Jenise]

Jo Ann, I wasn't aware of his illness, but looked it up just now. Here's an article:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/fergus-henderson-i-heard-them-drill-my-skull-402745.html

Thanks for that,Jenise. Good to know he's back!