Sydney restaurants make world's best list
By Sue Bennett | smh.com.au | 21 April
Which three Sydney restaurants are considered one of the finest in the world?
Tetsuya's restaurant in Sydney is the 17th finest in the world.
In a clean sweep for Sydney, Quay restaurant - the SMH Good Food Guide's restaurant of the year - made its debut on the list coming in at number 46.
But chef Peter Gilmore was not at Freemason's Hall in London, as he had been taken to hospital with a suspected kidney stone.
Pier restaurant, Rose Bay, made Sydney's trifecta, appearing for the first time, at number 94 on the secondary, 51 to 100 placings.
Melbourne was unrepresented as last year's entrant, Vue du Monde, fell of the list.
El Bulli outside Barcelona in Spain reigns supreme for a second successive year as the World's best restaurant. Owner chef Ferran Adria was in London to hear the announcement.
It will mean yet more pressure for a seat at the restaurant which opens for only six months a year with 7000 diners lucky enough to score a place. It's said about two million people apply for a seat every year.
As in 2008, second place went to The Fat Duck at Bray in England. Owner chef Heston Blumenthal - who cooked in Sydney just a few weeks ago - is an exponent, like Adria, of a science-meets- cooking philosphy.
At both restaurants, there are multiple courses of small dishes.
Adria led the charge but the S Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list further confirms Spain's position at the top of the culinary tree.
Mugaritz in Spain came in at number four followed by El Celler de Can Roca which rose a spectacular 21 spots to number five.
Of the top 10 restaurants, four are in Spain.
Organised by UK trade magazine Restaurant, the top 50 award contenders are nominated by 837 judges who include chefs, restaurateurs and industry commentators. Each judge has five nominations with a maximum of three from their own region.
They must have eaten at each venue in the previous 18 months.
The awards were established eight years ago but quickly established itself as the world's leading barometer of food and restaurant trends. It's not without its critics who argue it's too American and Euro-centric.
The S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants 2008 Top 10
- 1. El Bulli, Spain
- 2. The Fat Duck, UK
- 3. Noma, Denmark
- 4. Mugaritz, Spain
- 5. El Celler de Can Roca, Spain
- 6. Per Se, US
- 7. Bras, France
- 8. Arzak, Spain
- 9. Pierre Gagnaire, France
- 10. Alinea, US
First published by Smh.com.au on April 21 2009
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