12 World Class Restaurants To Visit In 2008

Food has through history played a role in the way the world functions. Kings and Emperors used to pride themselves on their kitchens and exotic food made by the world’s best chefs had the same value as treasures.

A glance into the two volume compilation “The Cambridge World History of Food” shows how mankind developed exotic tastes how spices were traded like gold, and more. The volumes are standard references world –wide for social scientists, economists, nutritionists, and gourmets. A website http://www.foodtimeline.org/ has a wonderful time line of food which shows that fish, egges, and mushrooms were eaten as early as before 17,000 BCE and that bread, beer, and soup was in the diet as far back as 10000 BCE.

The modern world too runs on its stomach and world wide restaurants compete to gain the status of “best restaurant.” If a restaurant is listed by S Pellegrino in its list of “ the world’s 50 Best Restaurants,” then its like wining an honor and prize. The list each year is complied by Nespresso World’s 50 Best Academy consisting of food writers, critics, publishers, and commentators from all over the world.

So if you are a gourmet and world traveler here are a few restaurants you may wish to try the 2007 list included:

1. El Bulli in Spain chosen as the World’s Best Restaurant in Europe.

2. The Fat Duck in UK which was the Chefs Choice.

3. Pierre Gagnaire in France.

4. The French Laundry in the US adjudged the Best in the Americas.

5. Tetsuya’s in Australia adjudged the best in Australasia.

6. Bras in France.

7. Mugaritz in Spain.

8. Le Louis XV in Monaco.

9. Per Se in the US.

10. Arzak in Spain.

11. El Celler deCan Roca in Spain.

12. Gamero Rosso in Italy.

It’s all about quality reaching new heights. Detailed information on the best restaurants in the world and past lists can be viewed at http://www.theworlds50best.com/index.html . Chefs and food critics and aficionados from all over the world congregate to London for the awards functions each year. In a global world more and more people are expanding their minds and trying out the cuisine of other cultures and nations.

The World Wide Web is replete with information on cuisine, cooking, wine, and dining choices and trends. So if you want to be trendy and know how to eat what, which wine to select, and more then open your mind to new experiences and educate yourself in every direction using the knowledge highway the internet has become.

Are the most expensive restaurants in the world worth their price tags? – Part 1

No, the most expensive restaurants are probably not worth the prices they charge to partake of their wares. But here is perhaps, an answer to why people do spend money at the most expensive restaurants on earth.

One does not “eat” at an expensive restaurant, one does rather “dine”.

People rush to such restaurants to be tempted by the offerings of the super-chefs who have spent years perfecting their culinary talents.

If one were in London, he might get a reservation to Petrus where in 2001, six bankers spent over 44,000(pounds)on wine eating a single meal. Per chance to hear Chef Gordon Ramsey’s voice ringing over the sound of the crowd, no-doubt reaming out some poor sub-chef for ruining the “F- – -ing monk fish!”

Another popular and expensive place is Pierre Gagnaire’s “Sketch” in London. A single meal with only a glass of wine averages 101(pounds), around $176.00 in American currency.

So why would one long to sit elbow to elbow with the cream of the exclusive crop? Why shell out beauchoup bucks to eat a meal in one of these elite, elaborate restaurants?

Why not? If one can afford to do so, why not? This is assuming that the rest of their lives are spent doing equally outrageous things. Why not continue the lifestyle? Is there a reason for someone to NOT spend fabulous amounts of their money dining or even purchasing grand foods?

Can I say Food Boutiques? Oh yes, they are the most chichi places to buy the foods used by Chefs and to prepare food for Chefs, these are also open to the public.

At these food boutiques you may(you name dropper)choose:

*Acetaia Bellei, Fig Preserve with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena costing $12.95 for 10.15 oz.

*Charcuterie, (Specialty meats) such as Greci Folzani Prosciutto Di Parma, $500.00 for 19 lbs.

*Fattoria Estense Balsamic Vinegar Aged 12 Years costing $54.95 for 250 ml

*Garrison Confections Ultimate Hot Cocoa, $16.95 per 16 oz. package

*SerentipiTea Organic Tea White Tea Yin Zhen, at $20.99 for 6 oz.

*Farrah’s Clotted Cream covered in Fudge costing the Gourmand a mere $18.95 for this fudge offered in a beautiful Art Nouveau tin.

Of this snobish food it could be asked; is it not fun to purchase what others cannot? Is it not garish to sit and dine where the frolicking crowds can’t? I mean really, this is what it is all about, being what others aren’t, doing what others can’t! Is it not?

Opinion: To do so is to thumb ones nose at the huddled masses and ignore all critics. To live in the opulense you so deserve.

It is really no ones business if another, who has the money, wants to spend that money dining on the easy to swallow, buttery rich and uppity, upper-crust. Or is it?