Trotter #26 in World's Top Restaurants

Restaurant Magazine have published the ‘50 Best Restaurants in the World’ list for 2006.

1. El Bulli, Spain
2. The Fat Duck, UK
3. Pierre Gagnaire, France
4. French Laundry, USA
5. Tetsuya, Australia
6. Bras, France
7. Le Louis XV, Monaco
8. Per Se, USA
9. Arzak, Spain
10. Mugaritz, Spain
11. Can Fabes, Spain
12. Nobu, UK
13. Gambero Rosso, Italy
14. Gordon Ramsay RHR, UK
15. Alain Ducasse, France
16. Jean Georges, USA
17. Le Cinq, France
18. Daniel, USA
19. Oud Sluis, Netherlands
20. Chez Panisse, USA
21. El Celler de Can Roca, Spain
22. L’Astrance, France
23. Hof van Cleve, Belgium
24. La Maison Troisgros, France
25. L’Atelier, France
26. Charlie Trotters, USA
27. Le Gavroche, UK
28. La Colombe, South Africa
29. Enoteca Pinchiorri, Italy
30. Rockpool, Australia
31. Le Calandre, Italy
32. Le Bernardin, USA
33. Norma, Denmark
34. Dieter Muller, Germany
35. St John, UK
36. Hakkasan, UK
37. Martin Berasategui, Spain
38. Le Quartier Francais, South Africa
39. Chez Dominque, Finland
40. L’Ambroise, France
41. Die Schwarzwaldstude, Germany
42. Dal Pescatore, Italy
43. Bocuse, Italy
44. L’Arpege, France
45. Gramercy Tavern, USA
46. Bukhara, India
47. De Karmeliet, Belgium
48. Oaxen, Sweden
49. Comme Chez Soi, Belgium
50. DOM, Brazil

Keller-with two in the top 10-you go boy--

It always amazes me how many top restaurants are located in the UK. I studied abroad in England as an undergrad, in addition to travelling there frequently, and on the whole, I find the food positively repellant. I mean, I know these are the cream of the crop, not the average corner restaurant, but still, what a study in contrasts.

Or, put another way- the food I had in Italy ranged from very good to delicious, regardless of price or profile (even the corner shops had good food). One didnt' have to search for a good meal. I guess it's similar to how I would feel if the top restaurant in the US was located in Salt Lake City (one of the worst food cities I've ever visited).

Lack of mentionings from Japan surprises me (for better or worse).