From historic boarding houses to suburban delis, America’s best restaurants span an impressive range of traditions and settings – with one thing in common – exceptional cuisine.
This year’s top picks encompass everything from Chicago’s Alinea’s theatrical ingenuity to Halls Chophouse in Charleston’s conservative Southern charm, while De Babel in Arizona and Silicon Valley’s The Good Salad give Middle Eastern cuisine its due consideration.
1. Le Bernardin
Le Bernardin was among the first restaurants to serve sea urchin baked in its shell, its fresh juices dribbling down your hand. Not to be outdone by new tasting menu spots, Le Bernardin has always offered strong flavors; sometimes exceeding those typically seen there.
Pedigree and reputation are hallmarks of any great restaurant, but chef Eric Ripert stands out among them all as an equally remarkable talent. As former Chef Pommenier to Robuchon, his French-influenced seafood preparations draw upon this expertise. Meanwhile, years at Paris’ Tour d’Argent have given him an eye for quality ingredients; almost all dishes offered here are exquisitely precise yet most memorable are those which go beyond tradition.
2. The French Laundry
The French Laundry has long been revered as the pinnacle of American fine dining. Renowned for their cuisine and impeccable service, their elegant atmosphere serves up exquisite French cuisine accompanied by an impressive wine list and is the epicenter of fine dining experience.
At a time when Michelin stars are becoming increasingly rare, Thomas Keller’s restaurants (such as Per Se in New York and French Laundry in California) continue to push the envelope of what is possible. At Per Se diners can experience fine dining inside a historic laundry building; and diners of both restaurants enjoy dining inside historic laundry buildings for an experience unlike any other.
The menu at Driftless features a whimsical culinary philosophy with postmodern takes on classic American and European dishes, and adds little surprises like napkins held with clothespins, lights that feature laundry symbols, and bills handwritten on linen tags – adding another playful element.
3. Benu
Chef Corey Lee of French Laundry fame has long promised his long-awaited San Francisco restaurant would be an intimate yet sophisticated space serving small plates of incredible creativity. To start our tasting menu off right, our first dish was thousand-year quail egg, potage and ginger; preserved using an age-old method used for centuries to preserve soy sauce resulting in an egg with a brown gel texture and delicious nutty flavors.
Start the meal off right with an exquisite foie gras and sausage-stuffed xiao long bao made of aged brown vinegar for an exquisite combination of ingredients. Enjoy an unforgettable dining experience in the restaurant’s minimalist decor and library-like ambiance; service is impeccable yet not overbearing.
4. Commander’s Palace
Commander’s Palace in New Orleans’ Garden District has long been recognized as one of the city’s premier upscale dining experiences, under the guidance of chefs such as Emeril Lagasse, Paul Prudhomme, Jamie Shannon and Tory McPhail – each contributing their expertise while upholding its historic charm.
This year’s Best Restaurants in America list recognizes eateries of all varieties, from an acclaimed seafood mecca (Le Bernardin) with tasting menus known for their degustation, to fast casual burger joints such as Wally’s Cafe in Oregon renowned for their fast casual service. Diners also seek international cuisine experiences; that is why there are several Middle Eastern eateries on this year’s list; De Babel in Arizona and The Good Salad in California being two such examples.
5. Musso & Frank
Hollywood Boulevard may be experiencing its share of upheaval, but Musso’s is still standing strong. Inside this Tudor-inspired wood paneled Tudor enclave oozes old Hollywood glitz; be it dining room dining or sipping martinis at their cozy bar surrounded by leather booths and brass hat rack.
This menu recalls the days when deluxe restaurants offered hundreds of items–16 cold and hot hors d’oeuvre, 16 omelets, 10 types of potato (Julienne cut, au gratin style fries and cottage fries among them), daily specials galore and an irresistibly creamy cheesecake are just a sampling of what was on offer at these establishments.
6. Langer’s
Langer’s is an iconic LA restaurant founded in 1947, known for their succulent hot pastrami sandwich served on delicious double-baked rye bread. Their commitment to maintaining traditional recipes while adapting to an ever-evolving neighborhood makes Langer’s an irresistibly enjoyable dining experience for regulars and newcomers alike.
Langer’s pastrami is expertly smoked with an explosive blend of briny, garlicky and dill flavors that hit all the right notes. Served on delicious rye bread that offers both crispy crust and soft middle texture and garnished with a crisp deli pickle, it truly tastes exquisite.
Nora Ephron wrote of this experience back in 2002 and its fulfillment remains today – yet perfection doesn’t come cheaply; an No. 19 will set you back $22. Therefore, be prepared to save for future visits!
8. Zehnder’s
Zehnder’s is an expansive family-style restaurant and an extremely popular dining spot, known for their award-winning chicken platters and mouthwatering side dishes as well as lodging, golf courses and gift shops.
Nearly one million guests visit every year with Midwestern hospitality that began when the Exchange Hotel first opened its doors in 1856. Now boasting nine dining rooms that can seat 1,500, this establishment provides all-you-can-eat chicken dinners, seafood platters, steaks and steak dinners along with freshly baked goods and European desserts – something the original Exchange Hotel couldn’t.
Zehnder’s Splash Village, The Fortress Golf Club and one of Zehnder’s luxurious hotels provide guests with plenty of exciting activities and options to keep themselves occupied during their visit.
