Eat This NYC: Paris Still Has the World's Best Restaurants

There's a reason why New Yorkers are still spending their sad little dollars in Paris: the food here is better. Backing us up on that one is Restaurant Magazine, with their just-released update of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. The City of (Culinary De)Light captured more of the 2008 top spots (8) than any other town. As for NYC: only five of their restaurants made the cut, and four feature imported French chefs. While nay-sayers have long decried France as losing its culinary edge, les trois couleurs took home more rankings (11) than any other country, including Spain (7) and the UK (6). The World's 50 Best list was formulated by a jury of 651 well-respected food professionals. Restaurant's selection of Paris addresses, with accompanying description from the magazine, is waiting after the jump.

Pierre Gagnaire
6 rue Balzac, 75008
The menu at this #3 ranked gastronomic temple is described by Restaurant Magazine as "an extraordinary nine-course cavalcade." Seemingly irreconcilable components are "brought together stunningly on the plate, often with a little last-minute improvisation." Gagnaire was also heralded by a recent le Figaro panel as one of the few Michelin 3-star chefs who deserves his rating. (photo)

L'Astrance
4 rue Beethoven, 75016
The intimacy of this small restaurant (#11) extends to its surprise menu. "The waiter asks only if there is something you cannot eat before serving each diner about 10 mystery dishes with corresponding wines," reports Restaurant Magazine. This spontaneity creates the feeling of being at an (exceptionally talented) friend's house, and allows the menu to adapt to the availability of fresh market produce. Plenty of press, including our 2006 mention here, means that your table must be booked at least one month in advance. (photo)

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
5-7 rue de Montalembert, 75007
Restaurant admits that "legendary is an overused term, " but does not hesitate to apply it to Joël Robuchon and his #14 rated eatery. The magazine swoons for the tasting plates of "Fresh Mackerel on a Thin Tart with Parmesan Shavings and Olives, Crispy Langoustine Fritter with Basil Pistou, and Quail stuffed with Foie Gras." (photo)

Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, 25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008
A recent panel from le Figaro said that Ducasse just wasn't worth it, but Restaurant Magazine ranked the luxurious Plaza Athénée as the 18th best in the world. "This place is sheer glamour all the way. Ducasse's authentic, but always exciting modern French menu follows the same path of sumptuousness, offering such delights as Turbot with Shellfish Bouquet and Parsley Juice, or Roe Deer with Winter Vegetables and Poivrade Reduction." (photo)

Le Cinq
31 avenue George V, 75008
Coming in at #24, Le Cinq at the Four Seasons George V resembles a classical French house: there are velvet armchairs and Louis XV cabinets. Before he stormed out in early April -- to be replaced by Eric Briffard of Les Elysées' à Paris -- Executive Chef Philippe Legendre was deemed a master at interpreting "traditional French cuisine with a lighter touch." (photo)

Le Meurice
228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001
"Classic, timeless, shameless," is how Restaurant describes #33. "Over five years Head Chef Yannick Alléno's superb cooking -- and his staff of 74 -- have taken Le Meurice's restaurant to the summit." The popular Paris food blogger Ms. Glaze agrees, and named Le Meurice in her list of 3-star favorites here. (photo)

Les Ambassadeurs
Hôtel de Crillon, 10 Place de la Concorde, 75001
Ranked as #45, les Ambassadeurs is home to chef Jean-François Piè ge, who as a boy dreamed of becoming a gardener. Restaurant Magazine says that today he has transported his passion for fresh produce from the garden in the kitchen. "The only thing that comes close to taking the spotlight away from the perfectly executed dishes at Les Ambassadeurs is the opulence of the refurbished 18th century ballroom, with its marble floors and crystal chandeliers." The panel from Le Figaro agrees. (photo)

L'Arpege
84 Rue de Varenne, 75007
Rounding out the Paris rankings at #46, L'Arpege has been getting attention for its focus on vegetables. Chef Alain Passard grows all of the produce in his own garden near Le Mans and transports them daily by high speed train. Restaurant Magazine noted that "much was made of the 51-year-old Breton's chef decision to cut out meat in 2001, although these days, a spectacular and vegetable-heavy menu might begin with speck-flavoured cream in a vegetable velouté and culminate in baby wild boar leg, presented whole to the table." (photo)