AAA names new Five Diamond restaurants for 2013
Foodies: AAA today will unveil the restaurants that its inspectors declare "best of the best," and Paste BN has an exclusive look for you.
Here are the four restaurants that AAA newly awarded with Five Diamond status for 2013:
- Benu in San Francisco.
- Salt in the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Amelia Island, Fla.
- Eleven Madison Park in New York City
- Le Bernardin in New York City
If you're lucky enough to be dining in one of the above restaurants, you can expect "highly acclaimed chefs, artistic and imaginative menu selections using the finest ingredients," according to AAA's criteria.
AAA also inspects for "expert service staff." Nancy Edwards of Chevy Chase, Md., last year had her birthday dinner at Eleven Madison Park and raved about the experience.
"Impeccable service, attention to detail, awesome bartender and drinks, truly made me feel special on my birthday," Edwards says. "They usually give cake but I got fruit tart instead when I mentioned I wasn't a cake person."
Still, restaurants that serve the best ingredients and wines, and meet the highest service standards, haven' t been immune to the economy.
The number of Five Diamond restaurants between 2008 and 2013, in fact, sank by 12%, from 60 five years ago to today's 53, says AAA spokeswoman Heather Hunter. In contrast, the number of Five Diamond hotels jumped by 25% over the same five-year period.
The biggest drop occurred in 2010, when six Five Diamond restaurants closed and none were added, she says. Two years later, eight more Five Diamond restaurants closed due to the poor economy and as more high-end customers looked for more a more casual, individualized fine-dining experience.
Here's the complete list of AAA Five Diamond restaurants in the USAfor 2013.:
Arizona
Chandler, Kai
California
Beverly Hills, The Belvedere
Oakhurst, Erna's Elderberry House Restaurant
Sacramento, The Kitchen Restaurant
San Diego, Addison
San Francisco, Benu
San Francisco, Gary Danko
Yountville, The French Laundry
Colorado
Colorado Springs, The Penrose Room
Connecticut
Morris, Winvian
District of Columbia
Washington, CityZen
Florida
Fernandina Beach, Salt
Lake Buena Vista, Victoria & Albert's
Palm Beach, The Restaurant at The Four Seasons
Hawaii
Honolulu, Chef Mavro
Honolulu, La Mer
Illinois
Chicago
Alinea
Arun's
Everest
Tru
Kentucky
Louisville, The Oakroom
Maine
Kennebunk Beach, The White Barn Inn Restaurant
Massachusetts
Boston, L'Espalier
Boston, Menton
Lenox, Wheatleigh's Dining Room
Nevada
Las Vegas
Joel Robuchon
Le Cirque
Picasso
Restaurant Guy Savoy
New York
New York
Daniel
Del Posto
Eleven Madison Park
Jean Georges Restaurant
Le Bernardin
Marea
Tarrytown, Blue Hill at Stone Barns
North Carolina
Cary, Herons Restaurant
Fearrington Village, The Fearrington House Restaurant
Pennsylvania
Farmington, Lautrec
Philadelphia, Fountain Restaurant
Texas
Dallas, The French Room
Virginia
Washington, The Inn at Little Washington
Washington
Woodinville, The Herbfarm Restaurant