OpenTable: Top Restaurants Of 2011
Online restaurant reservations website OpenTable Inc. has named the top 100 U.S. restaurants of the year based on more than 10 million user-submitted reviews of more than 12,000 restaurants.
On the list are classic standbys, such as Canlis in Seattle, The Palace Arms in Denver and L'Etoile in Madison, Wis. Restaurants that have long enjoyed acclaim from professional critics also are on the list, such as Daniel in New York City, The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., and Restaurant August in New Orleans.
Several chain restaurants made the list, too, including Ruth's Chris Steak House in Jacksonville, Fla., and the Melting Pot in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
"The restaurants on this list are wonderfully varied, but they have one overwhelming quality in common — each establishment is taking every opportunity to deliver a superb dining experience," said OpenTable chief dining officer Caroline Potter. "Quality and consistency in the food, service and setting are the hallmarks of the very best restaurants, and all three elements can be found in abundance by diners visiting any of these honorees."
Here are 10 selected restaurants from OpenTable's list:
• Acqua, White Bear Lake, Minn.
• Bibou, Philadelphia
• The Chef and The Farmer, Kinston, N.C.
• Daniel, New York
• Jens' Restaurant, Anchorage, Ala.
• Madrona Manor, Healdsburg, Calif.
• Menton, Boston
• Restaurant August, New Orleans
• Vie, Western Springs, Ill.
• Woodfire Grill, Atlanta
See more from these 10 restaurants
— Bret Thorn