I used to work at a Lodge a few blocks from the French Laundry. The staff and I were lucky enough to all dine there one night. By the time that we had finished desert, we were all pleasently full and little did we know 3 and a half hours had passed!

*wonders what the food costs at one of these places*

oooooo im so jealous LilPeaPod, lucky you
i bet a simple salad costs $20 in one of those restaurants, no doubt about it!

...maybe even more!

Soooo jealous Lilpeapod! Ever since I moved to the SF bay area, I've been dying to go to French Laundry, since everyone I know who has ever been just raves about the food and their experience. But at $240 for the prix fixe it's a little out of my price range now...but I hope to be able to eat there sooner rather than later. (dammit, thinking about all the yummy food, now I'm hungry!)

I'd love to know that cities these restaurants are in, especially the ones in the US. I'm sad to see that South America isnt represented at ALL on this list!

Fat Duck always teaters between 1 and 2 (I think for the past 2-3 years). Hey culinary is my life...

i've been to chez panisse...and i was SO disappointed. i'd built it up in my head and when i went, couldn't see what all the fuss was about

Chez Panisse is around the corner from my apartment, but I've only been lucky enough to dine in the cafe. I've always enjoyed it though. My mother-in-law gave us a gift certificate to the French Laundry about three years ago but we have never been able to plan enough in advance to go. You have to call three months to the day in advance. El Bulli is on my list of top 100 necessary things to do before I die. The man's a genius mad scientist!!!

I went to an amazing party that was catered by the pizza chef of Chez Panisse and it was the best pizza I ever had in my entire life. No joke and the rissoto to die for.

Love Chez Panisse for late lunch (in the cafe, but it's still wonderful). Le Bernardin's food is awesome, the wait staff is snooty, but I guess they think they have the right to be. French Laundry is still on my dream list.

i wanna know where the ones in the usa are

I can't believe there's not a single one in Canada.

PartySister - There's one in Brazil!

I'm surprised there's only one restaurant in all of Asia.

I love chez panisse. It is truely delicious. The Cafe is just as good as the dining room. Talk about a cheque though, $800 for four people. Wine not included!

Hi!! I'm from Barcelona, so I live pretty near to the restaurant El Bulli (80Km more or less).
I live near, but I can't dinner there because it's VERY expensive... I don't have 300$ to eat once. But it's great to live that close of 4 of the best restaurants in the whole world... I feel a little proud!

I've been to three on the list. (Well, maybe 3+ if you count that I've been to Gordon Ramsey's place in NY.)

I tried to get reservations at El Bulli this year but, as everyone knows, it's damn near impossible.

Long list.

you're not alone yum!

I'd love to be able to dine at one of these places!

Oh WOW! The closest one for me is in Finland. I must get there.

I've eaten at Tetsuya's and I have to say, I thought it was overrated. The food is nice, nothing extraordinary, but it's so hyped up that you can't help but be disappointed once you dine there.

The river cafe (#44) has THE best chocolate cake in the world.The closest one to me out of these is the one in denmark.I seriously need to get there

Hey annaerkul can you please tell me more.. I am looking at the recipe now by one of the chefs from the river cafe. It is for an italian chcolate brownie and it looks good but i wonder if it is the same one. When did you have your cake there? Is it in the cook book?

I rate st.john highly I've eaten there loads.

My husband, his cousin, wife and I managed to get a last minute reservation at French Laundry a few years back. The other couple had been before and had talked it up so much I thought we would be disappointed. It was by far the best restaurant I have ever been to. The ambience, service, food - everything was amazing. It cost us about $1200.with food and wine and was worth every penny, which I think is saying something since I am known to be happy just eating macaroni and cheese.

I am actually envious jamrdh

I've eaten at Per Se while on a work assignment in NY. We had the chef's tasting menu and it must have taken about 4 hours. The food is gorgeous, decadent & the waiters are the most well informed, amazing people I've ever encountered!

Oh, another comment is that DC has some spectacular restaurants too! The food could nearly rival Per Se, but certainly the waiters could not

I have definitely heard of the US ones - unfortunately.. I haven't gotten to dine at them though! I almost ate at Per Se but opted for The Spice Market in the Meatpacking district instead. I can't say I wasn't satisfied with my choice. Literally, the best food I've ever eaten!!!

Oh if only I could eat at one of these places...

I know! They sound wonderful! Very jealous!

I have eaten at the Fat Duck: A four-hour lunch one Sunday afternoon when I was in London. My mom and I didn't really know what to expect; a culinary-student cousin of mind told us to go there. I wouldn't necessarily say it was the best meal I've ever had in terms of pure taste enjoyment, but that wasn't really the point. (And, admittedly, two of the dishes were probably up there with the best food I've had ever.) But it was definitely the most interesting, challenging, and thought-provoking restaurant experiences I've ever had.

I've been to about 7. Mostly the ones in France. I would have to say that some of the food is wonderful, not ever something you would create at home. And at some other places you left feeling like you were just robbed of money.