Dish at The French Laundry. Photo by City Foodsters on Flickr is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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A luxury lifestyle publication has compiled a list of the “100 Greatest Restaurants of the 21st Century,” and the list is packed with California restaurants, including some in San Francisco and the Bay Area. While ranking the 100 greatest restaurants of the century in the United States is ambitious, you can expect to see many popular favorites from cities across the country.
California is well represented, and the 2nd-greatest restaurant on the list is The French Laundry in Napa, roughly an hour from San Francisco. The restaurant is an iconic fine-dining establishment, often referenced in pop culture (including in the hit show The Bear) and held in high esteem.
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Located in Yountville, The French Laundry is led by Chef Thomas Keller, who discovered the perfect location for his restaurant while visiting the area. Keller transformed the two-story stone cottage, dating back to 1900, into a luxury restaurant that draws people from around the world.
Guests can expect classic French cuisine, although the menu changes daily. Just across the street, sits a multi-acre garden filled with fruits and veggies that regularly appear in the restaurant’s dishes. The French Laundry has be awarded three Michelin Stars, the highest rating the prestigious guide will give.
Aside from The French Laundry, multiple other California restaurants are represented in the top 10, including Saison, located right in San Francisco. Singlethread in Headlesburg was placed at #7, and Benu in the city at #6. The top spot went ot Alinea, a luxurious restaurant in Chicago known for its modern aesthetic and creative dishes. Other notable restaurants in California that made the list include Chez Panisse in Berkeley, The Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena, and more.
You can find the full list of the 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the century here.