Chicago restaurant, Alinea named as the Best in the World

Chicago restaurant, Alinea named as the Best in the World
Alinea was joined by fellow Chicago-based restaurant L20 on the list which finished at number 62 in the Elite 100 Restaurants 2014. In terms of countries, the USA also impresses by sitting in joint second alongside the UK (with 12 restaurants), behind only France which has 17 restaurants on the list.

On Alinea being named as the best restaurant in the world, a delighted Grant Achatz said: “It's always nice to be recognized by your industry or your guests at the restaurant. It's always good for morale at the restaurant.

“Although we can't base our existence on accolades and recognition, it's always nice to have some reassurance that you're doing the right thing and that people like what you're doing.”

Alinea is closely followed by New York's Restaurant DANIEL (2),owned by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, and Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck, based in the UK (3).

On his second placing in the Elite 100 Restaurants, Daniel Boulud commented: “Elite Traveler readers visit so many great restaurants in the world, so it is especially rewarding when we make an impact on them.”

Overall, there were 16 new restaurant entries on the list, with Spanish dining destination Azurmendi the highest new entry at number seven. A delighted Head Chef Eneko Axta said: “It is fantastic for me since this is a recognition given by the readers. I always say that the client comes first and is the most important, and in this case, it is really special to me since Elite Traveler readers have voted for us.”

This year's Top Ten on the Elite Top 100 Restaurants are:

1. Alinea, Chicago, US
2. DANIEL, New York, US
3. Fat Duck, Bray, UK
4. Eleven Madison, New York, US
5. Le Bernardin, New York, US
6. El Celler Can Roca, Spain
7. Azurmendi, Spain
8. La Pergola, Rome, Italy
9. The Ledbury, London, UK
10. Osteria Francescana, Italy

To see the full top 100 list, please visit: https://www.elitetraveler.com/category/finest-dining/top-100-restaurants-in-the-world/