5 of the Very BEST RESTAURANTS in the World

The kitchen at El Bulli (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many restaurants around the globe with Michelin Stars and Gault Millau points. Here we take a look at 5 of the very best that stand above the crowd due to their exceptional cuisine, atmosphere and the finest service.

El Bulli in Spain is on our list of luxury dining experiences and is one not to be missed. The restaurant has been awarded "The Worlds Best Restaurant 2009" and "Best Restaurant in Europe". The Chef also took the "Chef of the Decade" award in 2010. The food at El Bulli defies description and has to be tasted to do it justice. When it comes to fine dining in luxury at El Bulli, the dining rulebook has been thrown out of the window.

You may wish to head over to Austria and visit Steirereck. This is one of Vienna's very best restaurants. This is a must visit place for wine connoisseurs, there are over 35,000 superb bottles on the wine list. The restaurant serves modern Austrian cuisine with many of the ingredients coming from the restaurants own farm, and is located in one of the most stunning settings imaginable. Cheese lovers will also be in heaven here with 120 cheese varieties from more than 13 countries.

Italians are passionate about their food and one of the very best places to dine in luxury while enjoying a down to earth setting is Le Calandre. Le Calandre is a rustic three-star restaurant where each and every guest gets a hearty welcome from the brothers who run it. Chef Massimiliano Alajmo takes credit for being the youngest Italian chef to be awarded three Michelin Stars. It is dishes such as glazed pigeon served with an essence of red turnip that has won the chef the praise so rightfully deserved.

The Fat Duck
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck deserves to be on the list of the very best restaurants due to the fact that the menu is constantly being tweaked and refined to absolute perfection. The Fat Duck is a somewhat "quirky" choice and it is not for the faint-hearted. On the menu, you may see such as Roasted foie gras served with crab biscuit and Rhubarb braised in Konbu. The restaurant is associated with great theatrics and has a very fun approach when it comes to dining out. You may want to visit at least once during your lifetime, if for nothing else but the unique experience.

Finally but by no means, the least is the Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee. This restaurant is set in the luxury Paris hotel where guests are served by staff wearing designer uniforms and overhead hang 10,000 plus illuminated pendants. They say you only get what you pay for, and while the price is steep for a plate of beluga caviar and langoustines, it is well worth the extravagant cost. This is luxury dining at its very best, complete with an atmosphere that takes some beating, attention to detail that is rare, and some of the finest ingredients from all over the world.

By Mary H. Louise  - Article Source: EzineArticles

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The MICHELIN STAR System

Cuisine 3 etoiles de Jacques Lameloise
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What is it?

The Michelin Guide is a series of annual guide books published by Michelin for over a dozen countries. The term normally refers to the Michelin Red Guide, the oldest and best-known European hotel and restaurant guide, which awards the Michelin stars. In Europe, quality gastronomy goes hand in hand with the Michelin Guide. The guide, recently relabelled the Guide Rouge, is a respected institution among chefs, restaurateurs, culinary experts, and the dining public. It was introduced in 1900 by the Michelin Tyre Company and began mainly as a technical resource for helping people to travel. By the 1930s, it had developed into a tourist guide and has since been transformed into a gastronomy guide. The Guide Rouge sells about 1.2 million copies annually in eight countries. The Michelin star system in Europe is the best-known and most respected ranking system for high-quality or haute cuisine restaurants.

What do they do?

A rigorously selected and trained team of inspectors visit the Michelin-recommended establishments and decide whether or not they will go into the guide. Michelin is keen to stress the independence of the guide. Unlike some competitors' versions, all meals and accommodations used by its inspectors are fully paid for by the Michelin organization. Michelin ensures creativity and individuality within the restaurant sector and avoids standardisation by NOT creating a written criterion for what constitutes the quality level required for the various star levels. The Michelin Guide is also set apart by its emphasis on consistency of quality and tradition.

How are restaurants rated?

Michelin-star rated restaurants are developed and led by highly skilled chefs, often referred to as "celebrity chefs". In Europe, the guide has a huge influence on restaurant choice for gourmets and followers of haute cuisine. The guide awards one to three stars to a small number of restaurants of outstanding quality. It must be recognised that a 3-star Michelin ranking is exceedingly rare: There are 26 "3-star" restaurants in France and only 81 in the world.

• One-Michelin-star: A very good restaurant or pub in its category
  The star indicates a good place to stop on your journey.
• Two-Michelin-star: Excellent cooking, worth a detour
  Specialities and wines of first-class quality. This will be reflected in the price
• Three-Michelin-star: Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey
  Fine wines, faultless service, elegant surroundings. You will pay accordingly!

Independent of their other rating in the guide, restaurants can also receive a number of symbols next to their listing.

1. The coins are given to restaurants that serve a menu for a certain price or less. In France, the required price is currently €16.50.

2. Interesting view or magnificent view is given to restaurants that offer to dine with a view.

3. The grapes are given to restaurants that serve a somewhat interesting assortment of wine.

The Michelin guide is now available on the iPhone so you can use it wherever you want, in France and in Europe.

By Matthieu Cany Sextant French property is a network of more than 100 estate agents in France offering a selection of 6000 French property for sale. Article Source: EzineArticles

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