Le Bernardin is a world renowned restaurant in New York City. You can find this restaurant located on West 51st Street. The cuisine is French, and the service is also French, which generally means the food is brought to the table on platters, and plated for the guest by the waiter. Le Bernardin is considered one of the best restaurants in New York City. Le Bernardin manages to keep things away from being glitzy and focuses on creating a magnificent product, rather than being typically “showy.”

Eric Ripert is the famed chef who operates out of Le Bernardin, and is responsible for such delectable creations. Diners are given some prix-fixe options on the menu, varying from three course lunches and four course dinners. The restaurant is definitely not casual, and be prepared to bring your jacket to dinner, as it is required. This restaurant is so popular that there has been a book written about it called “On the Line: Inside the World of Le Bernardin,” written by Eric Ripert and Christine Muhlke to celebrate the restaurant.

Le Bernardin boasts serving seafood in a simple, elegant and perfect way which is mentioned in the book. As well as delving into personal issues dealing with the tragedy of the death of the original chef, whose sister is now a part-owner with Eric Ripert. Primarily though, the book praises the restaurant’s rise to success in a positive light.

The restaurant Per Se, in the Time Warner Center in New York City overlooking Central Park, is operated by owner Thomas Keller on the philosophy that they aren't trying to impress, just serve great food that provides an emotional experience. The ambiance of understated elegance, impeccable service and attention to every detail may argue otherwise.

The menu changes daily, with two nine-course meals being offered for dinner; a Chef's tasting and a vegetable tasting, for $275. There is also a five-course lunch menu available for $175 on the weekends. Reservations must be made at least two months in advance at this jacket-required restaurant. Gratuities are included in the price, but tax is not.

The individual courses are small, with the intent to keep you wanting just one more bite, but the pace is leisurely to allow you the time to be able to finish all nine courses. Expect the dining experience to last at least 3 hours. There is a well-stocked wine cellar and a sommelier to help you choose the perfect wine to accompany your meal. Guests are sent home with an assortment of chocolates after the dessert is eaten.

The fresh ingredients are provided by small organic or sustainable farms that have earned the trust that they will supply only their finest products. The staff is welcoming, knowledgeable and attentive without being overbearing.

Reviews of the restaurant by patrons and critics are mixed, chiefly because expectations are extremely high given the price. Some people feel there are simply too many courses for all of them to stand out. Most people feel it's a not-to-be-missed experience that leaves them feeling pampered and sated. The service receives universal high marks.

One of the most spectacular, award-winning restaurants in San Francisco is the Gary Danko Restaurant. It is going into its seventh year of business and success. It has been awarded a five star rating from the Mobil Travel Guide and a Relais and Chateau designation.

The crew which serves the restaurant works with professionalism and friendliness to create their theme of magic and supreme service. The servers wear suits, which enhances the interior display of the restaurant, which is both modern and stylish. The atmosphere is one of intimacy and superior comfort. As for the food, one of the specialties is the cheese, which is displayed in a case and served at the tables on granite carts. The restaurant has some of the best cheeses in the country. Danko takes pride in the food preparation, with classic dishes of roast lobster and lamb served any time of the year. As for the wine, the selection in the cellar keeps increasing, up to the current 1,500 wines. The restaurant also offers a selection of Asian specialty teas such as Ti Quan Yin and Jasmine Pearls.

Some critics say this restaurant is the most popular elite restaurant in the country. The décor is intended to portray the atmosphere of a private home and is brightly colored. The food consists of exotic ingredients and the chef out does each meal with creativity. If you are ready for mouth watering food and you don’t mind paying a little money for it, then Danko’s will more than surpass your expectations of a fine restaurant. The restaurant is located at 800 North Point at Hyde Street and is opened to the public from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. There is a bar included in the restaurant. Reservations are necessary. The public is advised to dress elegantly.

Silks serves up exquisite dining and service as smooth as its name. Located on the second floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, San Francisco, Silks' menu combines elements of cuisine from the Pacific Rim with signature dishes from the West Coast. The restaurant is unique, its décor influenced by Marco Polo’s travels to the court of Kublai Khan. The look evokes the explorer’s odyssey and discovery of silk with wall treatments, hand painted silk chandeliers, and even the flooring. The colors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and persimmon evoke the adventurous journey to Cathay.

Silks' sommelier hosts regular “wine dinners” with expert pairings of his wine choices and your menu selections. To book the private dining room, “The Gallery,” you may contact Silks by phone.

From an intimate dinner to a large celebration or lavish wedding, Silks can offer a unique and memorable experience. The gorgeously appointed venues at the Mandarin Oriental add to your unique occasion. The legendary service will impress both you and your guests with discreet and informed service, always at hand.

Decades of experience are provided to help Silks plan your perfect wedding. Everything from selecting the flowers, music, and photography can be organized through the Mandarin Oriental. The cuisine and service experienced from Silks is the “frosting on the cake.” Honeymooning in one of the spectacular suites creates unforgettable memories. Iconic sights of San Francisco leave indelible memories. The quality and varied cuisine of Silks will continue to accent your visit with oriental origins.

Champagne breakfast can be provided in your room when you awaken to the view of San Francisco Bay. Silks provides the spectacular cuisine through room service, as well as early evening cocktails concluding with a romantic candlelit dinner in the restaurant itself. Silks not only serves delicious food, but surrounds it with attentive waiters and a grand, luxurious environment. San Francisco has embraced Silks and made it an icon of the city.

The CityZen in Washington, D.C. is located in the Mandarin Oriental. Since its inception, CityZen has built a reputation as a "power meeting" place. Head Chef Eric Ziebold has won the coveted James Beard Award for 2008, as well as Food and Wine Magazine's vote for "hottest restaurant in the world."

Along with the monthly-changing menu, there is a large selection of single malt whiskeys and a never-ending list of exotic drinks available. The food is decidedly American cuisine, yet has a unique selection from Eric's multi-course tasting menus. Because of the popularity of the food, CiyZen has become a "hot" spot for D.C. locals and visitors alike. Because of the uniqueness of the atmosphere, as well as the renowned preparation of the menu, this has become known as the restaurant of choice for the distinguished.

While CityZen continues to expand its influence, Eric Ziebold has risen to individual fame as well. The accolades are not only for Eric, but the restaurant as well. This could only mean that CityZen has done something right. From the Zen Bar to the impeccable food selection, CityZen has a winning personality. Because of the reputation earned, Washington's many celebrities crowd the serving floor from lunch to dinner. Reservations are a must and should be made well in advance. The location and atmosphere, as well as the food, are sure to please even the most discriminating of tastes. Eric Ziebold has made CityZen a real winner for many years to come.