Alinea: Best Restaurant in America

Gourmet Magazine's annual list of America's top fifty restaurants has just arrived in their October issue. This year's list is a bold one with more than half of the restaurants making their first appearance.

Perhaps most surprising is Gourmet's number one pick, Alinea in Chicago. Alinea opened only last year and this is the restaurant's first appearance on the list. Alinea's cuisine is definitely more modern than previous winners (think El Bulli meets The French Laundry). The menu is always changing, experimental, and surprising. Dining here is, most of all, meant to be an experience. The staff of Alinea is a young one, including Executive Chef Grant Achatz who is 32. They represent the future of American cuisine: forward-thinking, innovative, and focused on the guest experience.

Rounding out the top ten restaurants are:

2) Chez Panisse (Berkeley, CA)
3) The French Laundry/Per Se (Yountville, CA/New York City)
4) Spago (Beverly Hills)
5) Joel Robuchon at the Mansion (Las Vegas)
6) Le Reve (San Antonio)
7) Masa (New York City)
8) Alan Wong's Restaurant (Honolulu)
9) Daniel (New York City)
10) Le Bernardin (New York City)

Photo: Hot Potato Cold Potato, Alinea Restaurant

Alinea - 1723 N. Halsted Street, Chicago, 312-867-0110