I can’t believe this time has rolled around again.
Another year and another list will soon be unveiled.
Tonight, The Hungry One and I will not be drinking with chefs and dignitaries at the London ceremony for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Instead we’ll probably be watching the ceremony live streamed at home and drinking soda water. You see, we’re still digesting Saturday night’s dinner at El Celler de Can Roca (number 4 on last year’s list).
(NB, it was spectacular, full write up to follow very soon- but here’s a taste.)
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| Vanilla, caramel, liquorice, dried and caramelised black olives with Tahitian-vanilla condensed ice cream. |
So, at the end of this year, it seems our ridiculous quest to suck the best out of life has nearly come to a close.
We’ve now hedonistically plunged our way through nine of the top 10 (and snared a booking at Noma on May 7).
This year I’m hoping that marvellous places like Asador Etxebarri and Chez Panisse find their way back onto the top half of the list (1-50). I’m guessing that surely this year will be the time for Momofuku Ko to make an appearance. And I’m wondering who will make it into the top 10 now that El Bulli will close.
Based on our years of eating marvellously, if it was up to me, here’s the order I’d put it in:
(NB, am leaving Noma out, since I can’t comment, but am assuming that it will be number one for another year).
1. ? Noma….?
2. Fat Duck (part 1, part 2)
3. Alinea (here)
4. Mugaritz (here)
5. Osteria Francescana (here)
6. El Celler de Can Roca
7. Per Se (here)
8. Arzak (here)
9. French Laundry (here)
10. Pierre Gagnaire (here)
And if the list looks much different to that; the questions remain.
‘Just how long will we continue this quest for?’
And moreover, how far is too far to travel for a meal?
I guess we’ll think about that tomorrow.
Life’s short. Eat up.
