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New York's Le Bernardin, Patina in Los Angeles and San Francisco's Masa's are among the restaurants winning "America's Top Tables" awards
Third Annual 'America's Top Tables' Survey Picks Best Restaurants in 24 Locations in the U.S. and Canada
 
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 1998 -  New York's Le Bernardin, Patina in Los Angeles and San Francisco's Masa's are among the restaurants winning "America's Top Tables" awards in an evaluation of over 3,500 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada by Gourmet magazine readers. The results of the extensive survey are published in the October issue.

This year the survey added a "best for value" category, and New York's Gabriela's, Versailles in Culver City (outside Los Angeles), and San Francisco's The Slanted Door were picked as the best value in those cities by Gourmet's readers. Also, for several cities, awards were given for Tops in Country Dining.

"America's Top Tables" awards were given to the restaurants with the highest overall ratings on the poll. In addition to the best overall rankings, restaurants were cited in the single categories of best food, presentation, service, ambiance, wine list. Also listed were restaurants that Gourmet readers prefer for special occasions, business, romance, drinks, fun and value. In total some 550 restaurants were recognized for the final report.

According to Editor-in-Chief Gail Zweigenthal, "While going over the results of our Top Tables reader survey this year, we realized that many of the winning restaurants had things in common besides great food and fine service -- the chefs work in tune with the seasons; they "internationalize" formal food, cooking with classic French technique but skillfully incorporating ingredients from other world cuisines. Ultimately, the votes cast seem to reward those restaurants that let top-notch ingredients shine, rather than muting flavors, colors, and textures with complex techniques."

The study of restaurants is the third annual such survey from Gourmet, the nation's most influential epicurean publication since 1941 and the first magazine to publish restaurant reviews.

Listed below are the America's Top Tables winners for North America:
 

Atlanta: The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Boston: L'Espalier
Chicago: Le Francais
Dallas Fort Worth: The French Room (Hotel Adolphus)
Detroit Vicinity: The Lark
Hawaii: The Formal Dining Room at The Lodge at Koele, Lanai
Houston: Cafe Annie
Los Angeles Vicinity: Patina
Miami Vicinity: Chef Allen's
Minneapolis St. Paul: D'Amico Cucina
Montreal Vicinity: L'eau a la Bouche
New Jersey: The Ryland Inn
New Orleans: The Grill Room
New York: Le Bernardin
Philadelphia: Le Bec-Fin
Phoenix Scottsdale: Mary Elaine's
Portland: Genoa
San Francisco Vicinity: Masa's
San Francisco Wine Country: The French Laundry
Seattle Vicinity: Rover's
St. Louis: Tony's
Toronto: Scaramouche
Vancouver: Bishops
Washington, D.C. Vicinity: Obelisk
 
 
 

Listed below are the America's Top Tables "best for value" winners for North America:
 

    Atlanta:  Pasta da Pulcinella
    Boston:   Pho-Pasteur
    Chicago:   Penny's Noodle Shop
    Dallas  Ft. Worth:  Arc-en-Ciel (Garland)
    Detroit:  La Shish (Dearborn)
    Hawaii:  Rainbow Drive In
    Houston: Kim Son
    Los Angeles: Versailles (Culver City)
    Miami: Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House
    Minneapolis  St. Paul:   Rainbow Chinese Restaurant
    Montreal: Buffet Vichy  Bar (La Salle)
    New Jersey: Baumgart's Cafe
    New Orleans:  Kim Son
    New York City: Gabriela's
    Philadelphia: Dmitri's
    Phoenix  Scottsdale: Texaz Grill
    Portland: Foothill Broiler
    San Francisco: The Slanted Door
    San Francisco Wine Country: Bistro Don Giovanni
    Seattle: Salvatore
    St. Louis:  Tucker's Place
    Toronto: Gamberoni
    Vancouver: Earl's
    Washington, DC: The Queen Bee
 
 

"More and more people today are turning to restaurants as an 'antidote to civilization', a way to unwind and to see and be seen," said Gina Sanders, publisher. "Gourmet is pleased to honor the celebrity chefs and restaurateurs who create the glamour and play the starring roles in today's vital restaurant scene."

The "America's Top Tables" award, presented to the top 24 restaurants in North America, is a dramatic sculpture created by the internationally renowned restaurant designer Adam Tihany. The award is a three-dimensional representation of a simple place setting that consists of a highly polished nickel-coated metal sheet in a wave, representing a linen napkin. The center of the surface is an etched crystal plaque engraved with the award details. On the surface is a full-size three-dimensional George Jensen knife, and a full-size fork is laser-cut through the surface.

Gourmet polled 26,000 randomly selected subscribers in 24 regions of the United States and Canada on restaurants in their areas. The survey was conducted by Monroe Mendelsohn Research, an independent market research firm based in New York. Gourmet is published monthly by The Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

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Contact:
Kent Holland or Karen Larkin, 212-319-8383, 
or [email protected]
both of Andrew Plesser Associates, Inc. for Gourmet Magazine
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Also See:
Today's Restaurant-Goers Seeking Atmosphere, Entertainment in Dining Experience, Montgomery Securities Analysts Report / Sept 1997 
Secrets and Success Strategies in the Restaurant Business / July 1998 
North America's Best Restaurants Announced By Gourmet Magazine / Nov 1997 

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