As anyone who works in the food world or follows it closely knows, the annual NYT Top 100 Restaurants list came out this week. There were highlights like Birria making it (good on ya, NYT) and some things I find puzzling — like King dropping to the 50s, and even more puzzling, the spot that replaced them at #6 (whoever the PR team is there deserves a raise).
Anyway, it got me thinking. I am constantly asked to produce my favorite restaurants, whether it’s over cocktails, for someone’s upcoming third date or — in stranger cases — for folks’ company reports on where clients should eat. Apparently that’s a thing.
Now here’s my problem with Top 100 lists, or restaurant lists in general: taste, food, and restaurants are deeply personal and should differ person to person. I love Balthazar not because it’s the best French food in the world but because for years I’ve gone there with friends and family for my birthday, and have fond memories as a result — so it’s way up on the list. This is probably a more basic list than some would like — I'll acknowledge that. It's heavily geared toward Manhattan, because that's what I know and love. Are there probably some world-class Chinese spots in deep Queens? Unequivocally, yes. But this isn't that list.
My top 100 steers more toward experience than food, because — gasp — I love a good experience. Polo Bar transporting your martini from the bar to the table before you can even sit down resonates with me.
The first annual edition of The Outpost Top 100.
