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We are proud to share with you the 2010 edition of our Annual Restaurant Issue, featuring the highly anticipated GAYOT.com Top 40 Restaurant list, as well as recognition for culinary excellence in other important categories. We hope the output reflects our lengthy, deliberative process, in which many restaurants were visited by our local writers and editors, millions of calories consumed, thousands of emails generated, hundreds of arguments resolved, and countless difficult decisions made. But we hope that this carefully assembled issue offers a true reflection of the American dining landscape from a well-founded, experienced, professional perspective.


On the Fly, one of our Top 5 Food Trucks

Taco Truck Dining and Haute Farming
CULINARY TRENDS

Some trends disappear as quickly as you can say "Atkins," while others change the ways we eat forever. We're happy to see a continued devotion to going sustainable. But what really blew us away was the food trucks. Who knew that 50-cent carnitas tacos would give way to truffled beef bourguignon?


The Fabulous Forty
TOP 40 RESTAURANTS IN THE U.S.

For a restaurant to earn the high distinction of being one of the country's forty best, it has to show consistency and devotion to excellence on all levels. That's why you may find some familiar faces among the chefs honored here. But there's also a new crop that has quickly risen to the upper culinary echelon.

Corton Restaurant in New York City



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Bazaar by Jose Andres in Beverly Hills

New Kids on the Block
TOP 10 NEW RESTAURANTS IN THE U.S.

It's hard to resist the call of the magic word, "new." But "new" doesn't always equal "good," and in the restaurant world, "new" can turn to "defunct" quickly. A lot of deliberation has gone into our selection of ten newcomers, which truly rise several notches above the rest of the freshman class. Yes, they are new, but we expect them to last and to thrive.


Pinching Pennies
TOP 40 CHEAP EATS IN THE U.S.

Splurging is fun but regular overspending is outré. The following forty restaurants offer great food at great prices, proving that money doesn't always talk. Instead, the fare speaks: fresh, innovative, served in chic interiors or at communal tables. Food that's democratic and accessible to anyone. Dig in.

D Bar Desserts in Denver, CO

Kevin Rathbun Steak in Atlanta

A Cut Above
TOP 10 STEAKHOUSES IN THE U.S.

Steakhouses now are better than ever. These iconic all-American eateries have upped the ante with rarer cuts, more innovative side dishes, choicer wine lists and extravagant décor. Some feel like you're stepping into a "Mad Men" time warp, while others put glorious new spins on the carnivore cathedral.



Dining Out, Staying In
TOP HOTEL RESTAURANTS

Some of the best restaurants have been and always will be located in great hotels. For a hotel with impeccable standards, having a highly rated dining room is a matter of reputation. The following ten have made the cut in terms of food, décor, ambience, level of comfort, and of course, locale.

Addison at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego


Chef Wolfgang Puck

Ruler of a Culinary Empire
BEST RESTAURATEUR IN THE U.S.

If America knighted cooks, we'd be calling him Sir Wolfgang Puck by now. The Austrian-born chef's first stroke of genius was celeb-magnet Spago on the Sunset Strip in 1982. Today, his empire encompasses everything from frozen pizzas to catering, with too many fine dining and casual restaurants to list.



Wunderkind Alert
TOP 5 RISING CHEFS

Every year we put several young chefs on our watch list. Some have been the protégés of famous toques while others simply wowed us with their intuitive grace and maturity in the kitchen. Whatever their path, we won't be surprised to hear their names mentioned alongside the culinary heavy hitters.

Chef Sylvain Delpique


A Kogi taco

Street Food Goes Gourmet
TOP 5 FOOD TRUCKS

What started in East L.A. has become a national phenomenon. Now it's not just taco trucks that have people queuing around the block. Gourmets can choose from dessert trucks, French take-away trucks, Korean BBQ trucks and other creative takes on mobile dining. Just check Twitter and get in line!


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* Table of Contents image: Kalamansi gelée, white chocolate coconut soy milk soup, tapioca pearls, litchi-shiso sorbet by pastry chef Adrian Vasquez of Providence in Los Angeles
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VALENTINE'S DAY WINES

Add wine to the celebration of love, curated by GAYOT´s Wine & Spirits Editor.

Check the list.

CHAMPAGNE COCKTAILS

For a rosé bubbly Valentine's Day celebration.

Get the recipes.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDSOver the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.