Deemed "the Oscar of the food world," the World Best Restaurant Awards has selected as this year's winner one of the most appraised fine dining venues in New York: Manhattan's Eleven Madison Park.
The prestigious ceremony was held April 5 in Melbourne, Australia, and housed by the Royal Exhibition Building — a change of scenery from last year's gala, which was organized in New York.
This is the second time in 15 years that an American restaurant is granted the renowned accolade. The Manhattan restaurant's impressive achievement follows the recognition received by the Californian dining room French Laundry, which won the award in 2004.
Best Restaurant In North America
Eleven Madison Park is run by Chef Daniel Humm, who attributes the culinary establishment's great success to his rewarding partnership with owner Will Guidara.
"We wanted to create one of the great dining rooms of the world but this was only possible because we have each other," he told CNN.
This year's biggest winner was also declared the "Best Restaurant in North America," and is one of the two New York dining places to be included in 2017's ranking.
"We've dedicated our careers to creating experiences that we hope will become extraordinarily memorable moments in people's lives," said Guidara.
The other New York restaurant to make it in the Top 50 is Cosme, a new-comer that managed to rank in at No. 40.
Top 10 Best Restaurants Worldwide
After Eleven Madison Park, the world's second greatest restaurant was voted Osteria Francescana, Italy, which claimed the big prize in 2016. This year's ceremony also brought the Italian cuisine establishment the "Best Restaurant in Europe" distinction.
The Spanish restaurant El Celler de Can Roca, which won the title in 2015 and 2013, has now been assigned third place worldwide. In addition, the restaurant won the "Ferrari Trento Art of Hospitality Award", which last year went to Eleven Madison Park.
Two other Spanish restaurants are also in the Top 10: Asador Etxebarri, in Biscay, ranked at No. 6, and Mugaritz, in San Sebastian, which came in the ninth position.
The fourth place among the world's greatest dining rooms belongs to the French restaurant Mirazur, in Menton, while the winner of the fifth position is Central, in Lima, Peru. Central is the proud recipient of the "Best Restaurant in South America" award as well. Its cooking mastermind, Virgilio Martinez, took home the Chef's Award, bestowed by international peers.
Also from Lima, Maido was named the eighth best culinary establishment in the world. Ranked one place higher, at No. 7, Gaggan is the star of Bangkok dining rooms, after having been appointed 2017's "Best Restaurant in Asia." And if you're looking for top cuisine in Vienna, be sure to visit Steirereck, currently holding the 10th position among the world's greatest eateries.
Other Special Recognitions In The Restaurant World
Apart from the grand title, New York snatched another award at the Melbourne ceremony. Dominique Ansel, who gave his name to his famous bakery in Soho, went home with the "World's Best Pastry Chef" award.
Other notable prizes and distinctions conferred by World Best Restaurant Awards:
• World's Best Female Chef — Ana Roś, from the Hiša Franko restaurant in Soca Valley, Slovenia
• Lifetime Achievement Award — Heston Blumenthal, from the Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire, England
• Sustainable Restaurant Award — Septime, Paris
• One to Watch — Disfrutar, Barcelona
• Highest Climber Award — Blue Hill, Stone Barns
This year's Top 50 noted the presence of five other fresh names on the famous list, besides New York's Cosme. These are: Alleno Paris au Pavillon Ledoyen, in Paris, which ranked in at No. 31 and also received the "Highest New Entry" award; Reale, in Castel di Sangro, Italy, placed at No. 43; the Australia restaurant Brae, in Birregurra, coming in at No. 44; Den (Tokyo, No. 45), which in 2016 was named the "One to Watch;" and Tegui (Buenos Aires, No. 49).
