Elite Traveler May-June 2018

elite traveler MAY/JUNE 2018 63

RESTAURANT DISTRIBUTION

NORWAY

1

2

DENMARK

IRELAND

CANADA

UK

1

1

7

1

5 GERMANY AUSTRIA NETHERLANDS 1

1

BELGIUM

1

SWITZERLAND

USA

FRANCE

18

1

28

MONACO

4

JAPAN

8

7

1

GREECE

3

SPAIN

ITALY

CHINA

2

MEXICO

INDIA

1

BRAZIL

1

TOP PERFORMING CITIES

AUSTRALIA

1

4

SOUTH AFRICA

NEW YORK 13 10 PARIS

CHICAGO 356 SAN SEBASTIÁN 3

SAN FRANCISCO

LONDON

THE TRENDS

to drop off means that the US has increased its percentage hold over the list to a staggering 28 percent. Since usurping France’s throne in 2015 as the country producing the most amazing restaurants in the world, the US has been slowing widening the gap, increasing its lead by 10 eateries this year. Though the cities of New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco are leading this charge, the farm- to-table ethos is encouraging restaurateurs to set up further afield, a factor that has helped California only narrowly miss the top state spot by four to culinary stalwart New York. Read on for inspiring interviews with head chefs and appetizing images of their signature dishes — and to discover if your favorites have made the list.

the coveted Rising Star award, Crenn described her food as “poetic culinaria,” something that obviously continues to resonate with diners. Another high climber is Germany’s Victor’s Fine Dining. Chef Christian Bau has held three Michelin stars since 2005 and cooks up a winning combination of French and Asian flavors. We have eight new entries on this year’s list, three strengthening New York’s dominance and two London establishments. A small town in Victoria, Australia, has also entered at number 95, reinforcing Andy Hayler’s comments on p56 that in the search for truly exceptional dining experiences, you will travel far and wide. The five new US entries on this year’s list balanced against only one American restaurant

Alinea has done it again. After Spain’s Azurmendi knocked it out of the top spot last year, Grant Achatz’s innovative Chicago restaurant has regained the crown. Though Alinea, Azurmendi and Eleven Madison Park have been competing for gold for three years now, often neck and neck until the last few votes are counted, this year Alinea is once again number one, as it had been every year from 2012 — the inaugural year of Elite Traveler‘s ranking — to 2016. Its hypermodern and original cuisine consistently holds a place in the hearts of our readers. The highest climber this year is Dominique Crenn’s two-Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn, in San Francisco. When speaking to Elite Traveler last year on the occasion of winning

Words Thea Halstead. Photo Colin Page