Our Top 10 Restaurants and Eateries of 2019
These are our top ten favorite food establishments of 2019. As always, it's very difficult to select from hundreds of places we have eaten at in the past year. Thus, there is no particular rank or order. It is impossible to state one restaurant is superior to another with so many factors to consider. Here is to more journeys and discoveries in 2020. The search for that perfect meal continues...
Le Rabassier
Brussels, Belgium
No doubt the sleeper restaurant of 2019 was Le Rabassier. Don't be deceived by their small 18 seat dining room. This is where you are treated with an amazing delicacy in every dish, no matter what time of the year. Whether it is black or white, shavings or infused, the truffle is expertly incorporated in many of their appetizers, entrees and dessert. It is one of those "everything was amazing" dining moments. Their steep price menu is worth every penny, as well as the memory of an all truffle dinner.
Address: Rue de Rollebeek 23, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Phone: +32 2 502 04 00
Zahav
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
The winner of James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2019, Zahav is as close as you can get to eating in Israel without making the trip to the Holy Land. Since 2008, Mike Solomonov and his team have elevated Israeli cuisine to the same level as the quintessential French or Italian restaurant. The creamy hummus, pillow soft laffa bread and perfectly charred hanger steak are some of the few reasons to make the trip to this fine Philadelphia establishment.
Address: 237 St James Pl, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone: +1 (215) 625-8800
Arzak
San Sebastian, Spain
How can you evolve while staying true to your roots? Restaurante Arzak is a prime example of commitment to change along with preservation of their Basque culture. For many years, Juan Mari Arzak was the mastermind behind the three Michelin star restaurant. Now his daughter Elena has taken over most of his responsibilities and continues his legacy of innovation and education of Basque cuisine. Memorable dishes: the crab rock and the Arzak egg. As of 2019, it is ranked 53 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
Address: Avenida del, Alcalde J. Elosegi Hiribidea, 273, 20015 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
Phone: +34 943 27 84 65
Site: https://www.arzak.es/
Le Bernardin
New York, New York, USA
Eric Ripert and Maguy Le Coze's three Michelin star Le Bernardin is the premier seafood restaurant in America, possibly in the whole world. Everything is "haute" from the fresh quality of fishes, the consistency of plating, the elegance of the dining room to their high standards of service. It is currently ranked 36 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and tied for #1 on La Liste's World's top 1000 restaurants.
Address: 155 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: +1 (212) 554-1515
Le Petit Trois
Los Angeles, CA, USA
You don't have to travel to France to experience authentic French food. Taste the classic steak frites, burgundy escargots and sole meunière at Ludo Lefebvre's casual, laid-back brasserie in the heart of Highland, LA. His perfectly cooked omelette and addictive butter imported from Normandy is worth the trip alone. No reservations.
Address: 718 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Phone: +1 (323) 468-8916
Site: https://petittrois.com/
Roscioli Salumeria Con Cucina
Rome, Italy
Roscioli is synonymous to Rome. And at their salumeria is where you can indulge in traditional roman pastas like the carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe. Reservations are highly recommended and if you're lucky, you can score a table in front of the deli counter or in their unique wine cellar.
Address: Via dei Giubbonari, 21/22, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 687 5287
Euskalduna Studio
Porto, Portugal
The one restaurant you don't want to miss when in Porto has a menu that keeps you guessing. Chef Vasco Coelho Santos combines Asian style with French cooking methods, along with seasonal local ingredients, resulting in one of a kind dishes like razor clams tartare and john dory açorda. Many of the chefs at Euskalduna Studio have worked and trained at the renowned Mugaritz restaurant in San Sebastian, Spain. So you are guaranteed a high quality dining experience.
Address: R. de Santo Ildefonso 404, 4000-466 Porto, Portugal
Phone: +351 935 335 301
Du Pain et Des Idées
Paris, France
Christophe Vasseur strives for all natural, organic baking...the way it used to be done in old Paris. His philosophy in quality over quantity is the reason for his limited selection but yields in outstanding baked products unlike any other boulangerie in the city. Head to the 10th arrondissement to try his specialties, the pain des amis and the escargot chocolat pistache. Don't be turned off by the perpetual long lines. It is absolutely worth the wait.
Address: 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France
Phone: +33 1 42 40 44 52
Bar All'arco
Venice, Italy
Cicchetti are small bite size dishes that can be found all over Venice. However there is only one bàcari or wine bar that lured us not once but twice. Like tapas or pinchos in Spain, you have sliced bread with various toppings like cured meats, cheese, veggies and pickles. Unlike other restaurants and bàcaris, you can taste the difference in quality at Bar All'Arco. Order a couple as snack or if you're like us, grab a whole plate for a meal you can enjoy outside.
Address: Campo S. Polo, 436, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Phone: +39 041 520 5666
Site: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Wine-Bar/AllArco-Venezia-436-100730211372269/
Pizzarium Bonci
Rome, Italy
Another iconic figure in Rome is Gabriele Bonci. His ideology of no compromise in quality singlehandedly changed the pizza game. It's still a classic Roman pizza, yet what sets his pie apart is the untraditional combinations of toppings and sauces, as well as his sourdough starter that dates back to World War II. The variety of ingredients change often but what remains the same is his slogan: simply natural.
Address: Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 3974 5416
Site: http://www.bonci.it/