Critics say world's best restaurant is French - but in California - Two month waiting list

The Daily Telegraph ^ | April 29, 2003 | Michael Paterson

[stationkeeper]

Although not quite in the same league as the Russians, the Brits know a thing or two about drinking.

[nwrep]

If I may say so, an EXTREMELY out of date view.

And I second that sentiment. "Bad British food" is a 20th century hangover stereotype.

[q_an_a]

Because the european working class has no chance of being anything but a worker, they spend a lot of time drinking and eating. Go to Italy and see if you can get through the morning 10:30 to 2 without a good number of people having had 2 or more drinks as part of the routine of their life.

The pubs in England offer a first person in the door a free drink and lots of working people are waiting for that drink with lunch in the pub. The leaders have kept this, a lifestyle of casual drinking, in place cause they have no plan for the children being better off than their parents.

[reformedliberal]

This is true in NZ/Australia, as well. We were there in 1975-76 and the food was dreary, the service truculent and ambiance non-existant. Went back in 2000 and not only was it all world-class, the staff was British-trained and superb.

OTOH, the worst food and service we experienced were at Sofitels in Papeete and Morea.

[Winniesboy]

"The pubs in England offer a first person in the door a free drink"

Um...really? I'd advise wearing a hard hat if you intend to try that out in my local!

[stationkeeper]

Rubbish.................................

[skeeter]

There has been an eating revolution in the UK

I suspect that soon it won't be nearly as much fun to snigger at fat American tourists.

[liberallarry]

British-dominated panel of food critics

Oxymoron

[liberallarry]

Bad British food" is a 20th century hangover stereotype

I can't say anything current but in the '60s and '70s you ate Chinese, Indian, and Greek if you wanted to eat well at a reasonable price in London.

[Mamzelle]

For the gastronomes, from a passionate cook--

BION--Believe it or not, the BEST food to be had is at Epcot Center's "World Showcase" in Orlando.

Even the coffees and ices from the little push-booths are the best you've ever tasted. Don't ask me how this is accomplished--there must be some great kitchen management going on.

Not to mention, it ain't all that expensive, either.

Had an incredible Mediterranean meal at "Morocco"--the best Mexican food I've ever eaten in "Mexico" (and I've spent most of my life in Texas), fantastic pastries everywhere. Japanese was even good, and I'm not fond of Japanese food.

The most expensive meal I had was thirty bucks, and that was with dessert and a glass of wine, and live entertainment.

Let your kids ride, and you can eat.

[Wright is right!]

"OTOH, the worst food and service we experienced were at Sofitels in Papeete and Morea."

Stayed once at a Sofitel place on Bora Bora. The food was most unremarkable, especially after one has eaten at Bloody Mary's. It was only marginally better on Moorea. However, there was a small restaurant about 1/4 mile down the road on Moorea run by a native French chef and his wife who moved to French Polynesia some years before that (and this was in 1985). They were delightful and the food was wonderful and reasonably priced.

For aviation aficianados, one of the world's shortest scheduled commercial flights is from Papeete to Moorea. The scheduled flight duration is TWO MINUTES. The aircraft departs Papeete International to the south, makes a 90-degree right turn and is perfectly lined up on-final to the airstrip on Moorea. I'd be surprised if the flight goes any higher than 1000 feet.

Needless to say, Moorea is very very close to the isle of Tahiti.

Michael

[LisaAnne]

I'll be in Napa for a week on vacation. A little wine touring and tasting (yum); and we do have reservations at the French Laundry (yum-yum). I'll give you my own personal evaluation when I get back. ;o)

[Hildy]

This place sounds WONDERFUL. It's run by Americans! I'd eat there in a minute if I go up there. Hey, it might even be worth the trip. I love French Food...especially when Americans make it!!!!

[Hildy]

This place sounds WONDERFUL. It's run by Americans! I'd eat there in a minute if I go up there. Hey, it might even be worth the trip. I love French Food...especially when Americans make it!!!!

[rocky88]

What about the Pig 'n Chicken in Garden City, SC??? ;-)

[LisaAnne]

http://www.sterba.net/yountville/frenchlaundry/

We put our reservation in 2 months ago. I'm really looking forward to a nice evening.

[Mamzelle]

There has been quite the upsurge in wonderful cooking in American, you can see it with things like Food Network. There are a lot of educated cooks out there, and they are picky about what they eat in restaurants, and what they call "good."

However, "beans and greens" at Cracker Barrel is mighty fine at $3.99. Pintos/ham, greens/ham, corn bread. Yum.

[Mamzelle]

Tell me about the Pig/Chicken--where is Garden City?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks for a good laugh.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Sounds like you've hit upon a great idea.