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Read the press release here.

The Best Restaurant in the World Is Alinea, New Poll Says

By Paul Biasco | March 31, 2015 10:37am
 Grant Achatz, head chef at Alinea.
Grant Achatz, head chef at Alinea.
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LINCOLN PARK — No big deal, just the best in the world.

Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas' acclaimed Lincoln Park restaurant Alinea just got voted the best on Earth by Elite Traveler, a publication covering what it calls the "private jet lifestyle."

It's the fourth straight year that Alinea nabbed the top spot in the publication's annual poll of its readers.

This is the first year that Achatz and Kokonas' second Chicago restaurant, Next, made the list, coming in at No. 47.

The Top 10 are:

1. Alinea, Chicago
2. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
3. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain
4. Eleven Madison Park, New York
5.  The Fat Duck, Bray, UK
6. Robuchon au Dome, Macua, China
7. Per Se, New York
8. La Pergola, Rome, Italy
9. Le Bernardin, New York
10. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy

For the entire list of Elite Traveler's Elite 100, click here.

In a statement released by Elite Traveler, head chef Achatz says:“I think a lot of the other ratings systems and guidebooks are taking note. Because, quite honestly, a lot of chefs tend to complain about the unfairness of certain systems. I think it’s really refreshing to have an evaluation based on people’s experience when you don’t even know that they’re in the restaurant. It could be anybody, so it’s really nice.”

Co-owner Kokonas, in the same news release, added: "I think a lot of times high-end dining isn’t necessarily fun. You know, it can be delicious, it can be intellectually interesting, but it’s rare that it’s emotional, and it’s rare that it’s fun, and I think this [award] is a reflection of the fact that we don’t take these things that seriously.”

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