World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2008, According to S. Pellegrino

March 19th, 2009

For whatever it is worth, I am reporting on the World’s Best Restaurants 2008 according to S. Pellegrino and other sponsors put together by Restaurant Magazine & William Reed Business Media Ltd. (all copyrighted material belongs to their respective owners).

1 El Bulli Spain World’s Best Restaurant
Apartado 30, 17480 Roses en Cala Montjol, Spain
+34 97215 04 57 (after 3pm during the season)
www.elbulli.com

2 The Fat Duck Best Restaurant in Europe
The Fat Duck, High Street, Bray, Berkshire, SL6 2AQ, England UK
+44 (0)1628 580333
www.fatduck.co.uk

3 Pierre Gagnaire France
6 Rue Balzac, 75008 Paris, France
+33 (0)1 5836 1250
www.pierre-gagnaire.com

4  Mugaritz Spain Chef’s Choice
Mugaritz, Otzazulueta Baserria, Aldura Aldea 20, 20100 Errenteria Gipuzkoa, Spain
+34 943 522 455
www.mugaritz.com

5  The French Laundry USA Best Restaurant in the Americas
6640 Washington Street, Yountville, CA 94599, USA
+1 707 944 2380
www.frenchlaundry.com

6  Per Se USA
10 Columbus Circle (at 60th Street), 4th Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA
++1 212 823 9335
www.perseny.com

7  Bras France
Route de l’Aubrac, 12 210 Laguiole, France
+33 (0)5 65 51 18 20
www.michel-bras.com

8  Arzak Spain
273 Avenida Alcalde Elosegui, 20015 Donostia/San Sebastian
+34 943 278 465
www.arzak.es

9  Tetsuya’s Australia
529 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
+61 2 9267 2900
www.tetsuyas.com

10  Noma Denmark
Strandgade 93, 1401 Copenhagen K, Denmark
+45 3296 3297
www.noma.dk

11  L’Astrance France
4 rue Beethoven, 75016 Paris, France
+33 (0)1 40 50 84 40

12 Gambero Rosso Italy
Piazza della Vittoria 13, 57027, San Vincenzo, Livorno, Italy
+39 05 65 701021

13  Restaurant Gordon Ramsay UK
68 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HP, England
+44 (0)20 7352 4441
www.gordonramsay.com

14  L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon France
5-7 rue de Montalembert, 75007 Paris, France
+33 (0)1 4222 5656
www.joel-robuchon.com

15  Le Louis XV France
Hôtel de Paris, Place du Casino,MC 98000, Monaco
+377 98 06 88 64
www.alain-ducasse.com

16  St John UK
26 St John Street, London EC1M 4AY, England
+44 (0)20 7251 0848
www.stjohnrestaurant.co.uk

17  Jean Georges USA
1 Central Park West, New York City, New York 10023, USA
++1 212 299 3900
www.jean-georges.com

18  Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée France
1 Central Park West, New York City, New York 10023, USA
++1 212 299 3900
www.alain-ducasse.com, www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

19 Hakkasan UK
8 Hanway Place, London W1T 1HD, England
+44 (0)20 7927 7000

20  Le Bernardin USA
155 West 51st Street, The Equitable Building, New York City, NY 10019, USA
++1 212 554 1515
www.le-bernardin.com

21  Alinea USA
1723 North Halstead, Chicago, Ilnois 60614, USA
++1 312 867 0110
www.alinea-restaurant.com

22  Le Gavroche UK
43 Upper Brook Street, London W1K 7QR, England
+44 (0)20 7408 0881
www.legavroche.co.uk

23  Dal Pescatore Italy
Località Runate, 46013 Canneto sull’Oglio, Mantova, Italy
+39 03 76 723001
www.dalpescatore.com

24 Le Cinq France
Le Cinq, 31 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
+33 (0)1 4952 7000
www.fourseasons.com/paris

25 Troisgros France
Place Jean Troisgros, 42300 Roanne, France
+33 (0)4 77 71 66 97
www.troisgros.fr

26  El Celler de Can Roca Spain
Ctra. Taialà, 40, 17007 Girona, Spain
+34 972 222 157
www.cellerdecanroca.com

27 L’Hotel de Ville – Philippe Rochat Switzerland
L’Hôtel de Ville, Rue d’Yverdon 1, 1023 Crissier (VD), Switzerland
+41 21 634 0505
www.philippe-rochat.ch

28 Hof Van Cleve Belgium
Riemegemstraat 1, 9770 Kruishoutem, Belgium
+32 (0)9 3835 848
www.hofvancleve.com

29 2 Martin Berasategui Spain
Calle Loidi 4, 20160 Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa, Spain
+34 943 366 471
www.martinberasategui.com

30 Nobu London UK
Metropolitan Hotel, 19 Old Park Lane, London W1, England
+44 (0)20 7447 4747
www.noburestaurants.com

31 Can Fabes Spain
Sant Joan, 6 Sant Celoni 08470, Spain
+34 938 672 851
www.canfabes.com

32 Enoteca Pinchiorri Italy
Via Ghibellina, 87, 50122 Florence, Italy
+39 (0)55 242757
www.enotecapinchiorri.com

33 Le Meurice France
Le Meurice, 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
+33 (0)1 4458 1010
www.lemeurice.com

34 Vendome Germany
Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, Kadettenstraáe, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, 0049
+49 (0)2204 420
www.schlossbensberg.com

35 Die Schwarzwaldstube Germany
Hotel Traube Tonbach, 72270 Baiersbronn im Schwarzwald
+49 (0)7442 492665
www.traube-tonbach.de

36  Le Calandre Italy
Le Calandre, Via Liguria 1, 35030 Sarmeola di Rubano, Italy
+39 04 96 30303
www.calandre.com

37  Chez Panisse USA
1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, California 94709, USA
+1 510 548 5525
www.chezpanisse.com

38  Charlie Trotter’s USA
816 West Armitage Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA
+1 773 248 6228
www.charlietrotters.com

39  Chez Dominique Finland
Rikhardinkatu 4, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
+358 (0)9 612 7393
www.chezdominique.fi

40  D.O.M Brazil
Rua Barao de Capanema, 549 Jardins, Sao Paulo 01411-01, Brazil
+55 (0)11 3088 0761
www.domrestaurante.com.br

41  Daniel USA
Daniel, East 65th Street, New York City, NY 10021, USA
++1 212 288 0033
www.danielnyc.com

42  Oud Sluis Netherlands
Beestenmarkt 2, 4524 EA Sluis, Netherlands
+31 (0)117 461269
www.oudsluis.nl

43  Ristorante Cracco Italy
Via Victor Hugo 4, 20123 Milan, Italy
+39 02 87 67 74

44 Asador Etxebarri Spain
Plaza San Juan 1, 48291 Axpe-Marzana, Atxondo-Bizkaia, Spain
+34 94 6583042
www.asadoretxebarri.com

45  Les Ambassadeurs France
Hôtel de Crillon, 10 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France
+ 33 (0)1 44 71 16 16
www.crillon.com

46  L’Arpege France
84 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris, France
+33 (0)1 47 05 09 06
www.alain-passard.com

47 Tantris Germany
Johann-Fichte-Str. 7, 80805 Munich, Germany
+49 (0)89 36 19 59 0
www.tantris.de

48  Oaxen Skärgärdskrog Sweden
SE-153 93 Hölö, Sweden
+46 (0) 8-551 531 05
www.oaxenkrog.se

49  Rockpool Australia
107 George Street, The Rocks, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
+61 (0)2 9252 1888
www.rockpool.com

50 Le Quartier Francais
16 Hugenot Road, Franschhoek, 7690, Western Cape, South Africa
+27 21 876 2151
www.lequartier.co.za

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Sofitel Centara Grand Hotel & Villas – Hua Hin, Thailand

March 17th, 2009

1 Damnernkasem Road  77110 Hua Hin, Thailand
(+66)32/512021 – (+66)32/511014
email: reservation@sofitel.co.th
Website: http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-0891-sofitel-centara-grand-resort-and-villas/index.shtml
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive-Very Expensive

The Sofitel Centara Grand Hotel & Villas was the Kingdom’s first resort hotel, built on an idellic seaside setting in 1923 and has been updated to all the most modern amenities. The lovely, colonial-style building constructed from mostly wood is situated amongst lush gardens, which has many unique topiary intricately trimmed into shapes of elephants, squirrels, and birds on 16 hectares of land, with its own beach. It is centrally located in the town of Hua Hin and is only a short walk to the best shopping, restaurants and bars. In the evening, dine at the hotel’s Palm Seafood Pavilion and Terrace, choose the candlelit tables just paces from the sea, the staff even provide torches to read the menu. The cuisine is excellent at this outlet. Dominque Martinez has just been recently been installed as the hotel’s Executive Chef. The Elephant Bar, with two charming, female bar staff manning it, is a classic bar that immediately makes you feel at home, and offers flights of wine for very reasonable prices and also offers WIFI gratis – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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Le Pré Catelan – Paris

March 12th, 2009

Bois de Boulogne
Route de Suresnes Map
75016 Paris
Tel. 01 44 14 41 14
Métro: Porte Maillot (thereafter taxi)
eMail : leprecatelan-salons@lenotre.fr
Website: www.precatelanparis.com
Credit Cards: All major
Prices: Expensive-Very Expensive

On several visits Le Pré Catelan has shown beyond a doubt to be absolutely first rate down to the minutest detail, from service to the outstanding cuisine and not to forget the superb setting in the Napoleon III style pavilion surrounded by forest.

Opening its doors in 1907, in the Bois de Boulogne, the Le Pré Catelan has been visited by royalty, presidents and Captains of Industry over more than a century. It is a lovely location, and an absolute must on any gourmet journey. Chef Frédéric Anton, once next in command to Joël Robuchon, delights guests with his sophisticated culinary artistry and amazing technical insight. The restaurant’s sommelier will guide you through the extensive wine menu with its comprehensive selections from all wine-producing regions of France from the large cellar.

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Gaston Lenôtre, Founder of Maison Lenôtre, has passed away

March 12th, 2009

Gaston Lenôtre died on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at the age of 88 after a long illness at his home in Sologne, where he retired with his wife Catherine in the early 1990s. He was the founder of Maison Lenôtre, which also operated Le Pré Catelan. Maison Lenôtre was acquired by the Accor Group where it became its prestige signature.

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Buddha Bar – Paris

March 12th, 2009

photo credit: Buddha Bar

8/12, rue Boissy d’Anglas
75008 Paris
Tel. 33.(0)1.53.05.90.00
Fax. 33.(0)1.53.05.90.09
Email: buddhabar@buddhabar.com
Website: www.buddhabar.com
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Very Expensive

Still Going Strong, the Buddha-Bar’s large dining room dominated by a huge golden Buddha, is much like dining in a fish bowl, as tipplers from the bar mezzanine above are able to look down through lacy wrought-iron balustrades into the dining area, although you might not realize it unless you look up.
The dim lighting, dark mahogany furniture, Chinese and Japanese objet d’art, along with other asian decorations gives the otherwise boisterous night spot a somewhat calm state.
The now well-known albums and DVDs compiled by the proprietor Raymond Visan’s George V Records label also include some original tracks by leading recording artists. Buddha Bars are springing up in many other locations and at latest tally: Buddha-Bar Paris, Buddha-Bar Dubai, Buddha-Bar Beirut, Buddha-Bar Cairo, Buddha-Bar London, Buddha-Bar Kiev. Buddha-Bar Jakarta, Buddha-Bar Sao Paolo, Buddha-Bar Dublin
Buddha-Bar Prague. He also is embarking into the hotel and resort business by opening some properties in far-flung places such as in eastern-european countries and locations as remote as Panama.
The decor is admittedly fantastic, though looking beyond all the press over the years hyping the top-crust crowds flocking to this club it seems to me; that it just may be cubic zirconia posing as diamonds? It really doesn’t matter, as everyone is having a good time, although as an aside, I have observed that the clientele in the mezzanine has increasingly become balanced a little too heavily in middle-eastern customers.

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Chez Daniel French Restaurant – Chiang Mai, Thailand

March 8th, 2009

Above: Chef-Owner Daniel

255/18 Mahidol Rd., Ormmuang Super Highway
A Muang, Chiang Mai
Tel. 053 204800
Credit Cards: Master Card Only
Prices: Moderate

The small Normandy-style restaurant is quite appealing, looking in at it from outside, and is situated on a corner in a remote part of Chiang Mai. Once inside the ten-table dining room of Chez Daniel, at least at night, is eerily dismal with a murky fish tank and untended bric-a-brac lining the walls. Two of the owner’s half-French half-Thai sons, acting as waiters in this family-owned business, plodded aimlessly around the dining room.
I never wish to write about negatives, especially about a restaurant whose owner was so obliging, but the dishes I sampled: escargots, jambon Normande, sanglier poivrade (from Laos) to be truthful, were not very good.  The owner-chef was at the time of my visit recovering from major surgery, and that being the case, I give him the benefit of the doubt regarding the cooking, and expect that the dishes will most likely be sorted out when his health improves.
The highlight of the evening was the Calvados Special, baht 250, which he hand-carried back from Normandy in a plastic tea bottle (pictured below).

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Beccofino Trattoria – Chiang Mai

March 1st, 2009

Beccofino Trattoria
20/2 Soi 7 Nimmanhaemin Road,
Suthep, Muang, Chiang Mai 50100
Tel. (053) 226 590-2
Fax. (053) 226 459
Email: trattoriachiangmai@beccofino.co.th
Website: www.beccofino.co.th

The Grand Opening party of Beccofino Trattoria, Chiang Mai was held on February 28th, 2009. There was a large turnout as this city’s residents took a first hand look at the new Beccofino Italian Trattoria.  Executive Chef/Partner, Angelo Rottoli who hails from 3-star Michelin restaurant Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence, Italy who was chosen to open a branch in Tokyo where he learned to speak Japanese. The recently constructed building that houses Beccofino in Chiang Mai has included some of the finest equipment including ceiling recessed 4-way air-conditioning units, you will not be disturbed by noise or air blowing direct onto you, it also features a custom-made wood burning pizza oven and a striking Venetian mural on the rear wall. An outdoor terrace overlooks a tree lined lane, No. 7, which branches off Chiang Mai’s trendy Nimmanhaemin Road.

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Antinori Wine Tasting, Meridien Hotel – Chiang Mai

March 1st, 2009

18 Febuary 2009
Chiang Mai Merdien Hotel
A tasting of selected Antinori wines was held at the Italian restaurant Favola. Following were the wines tasted:
Cipresseto 2006 a very pleasant drinking Rose; Villa Antinori Bianco 2007, 70% Trebbiano and Malvasia, 30% Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco and Pinot Gris, light, fragrant and young; Chardonnay Bramito Del Cervo 2006 pale golden color with toasted vanilla; Villa Antinori Rosso 2004, 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah, ruby colored with soft tannins, berry fruit with a hint of oak;
Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore 2006 95% Sangiove, 5% Merlot. A lovely bouquet, good balance of fruit and tannin with floral hints a favorite over the years around the world; Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2004, 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and other red varieties, intense ruby color, a rounded and well-balanced wine; Moscato D’Asti 2007, 100% White Cannelli Moscato, typical Moscato characteristics with hints of honey.

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Blue Door & Plat Bleu at the Delano Hotel – Miami

February 23rd, 2009

The Delano Hotel
1685 Collins Ave Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Tel. 305 672 2000; Fax. 305 532 0099
Reservations: US 800 697 1791
Reservations: International 00800 4969 1780
Website: www.delano-hotel.com

Blue Door Restaurant & Brasserie
1685 Collins Ave.
Tel. 305 674 6400
Website: http://www.delano-hotel.com/delano_hotel_blue_door.asp
Breakfast: 7am-11:30am Daily
Lunch: 11:30am-4pm Daily
Sunday Brunch: 10:30am-2:30pm
Prix Fixe Dinner: 7pm-11pm (reservations required)
A La Carte Dinner: 7pm-12am
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Very Expensive

Plat Bleu
Tel. 305 674 6400
Monday through Wednesday: 11 PM until 2 AM
Friday and Saturday: 11 PM until 4 AM
Credit Cards: All Major
Prices: Expensive

At the Delano Hotel in Miami the formal Phillipe Stark designed restaurant, Blue Door with its farcical Dali influenced scheme and lovely terrace for alfresco dining has opened another separate venue called Plat Bleu. It is located at the end of the lobby, and reveals a more subdued and austere design with lower lighting and a more “clubby” feel. Celebrity-Chef Claude Troisgros replaces former Blue Door’s co-owner Madonna as the impetus to dine there, and now the attraction is on the plate rather than on the air-kissing crowd that departed with the material girl. Although the Plat Bleu feels and is more casual; the prices do not follow. The menu is a melange of French cuisine and simple Brazilian cooking that has evolved over the period at Claude’s CT Brasserie, his new and popular hit restaurant in Rio de Janeiro. The kitchen is open late: until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends. That should be welcome news to Miami’s late club set!

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Fish La Boissonnerie – Paris

February 20th, 2009

69, rue du Seine, Paris 6.
Telephone: 01 43 54 34 69.
Closed Monday.
Credit Cards: Yes
Prices: Moderate
21.50 € lunch menu. 32.50 € dinner menu.  A la carte, 30 €.

The space in this building was originally a fish shop and opened as a bistro in the late 90’s by two New Zealanders and a Cuban-American. They also own a Wine Shop around the corner called Paris La Dernière Goutte and this is the reason that the P has changed to B in Boissonnerie as Poisson is fish and Boisson is drink in French; and the reason that they have an exceptional wine list.
The Flying Fish Menu for 10 euros at lunch is a bargain (includes a salad and a choice of pasta).

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