Looking for an extraordinary night out? How about 40 of them at our top restaurant picks in the U.S.? As places to invest in serious and breathtaking adventures in food, they're just the tip of the iceberg... but oh, what a peak they make.

While we've listed our selections by restaurant, we're highlighting chefs because, to us, food always comes first. Still, we would like to applaud the fine work that the restaurants' managers, sommeliers and staffs contribute each night, for without them no chef could succeed.

Naturally, many good chefs have been omitted, and we apologize for that. Simply put, these are the restaurants that suit our tastes. Certainly we have prejudices, as any gourmet does, and as that will always be the case, we reserve the right to be subjective, as well as honest and candid. Dining is an emotional endeavor, after all, not a scientific process. So read on and prepare to have your passions roused.

Bon appétit!