Opinionated About Dining Reveals Top 100 U.S. Restaurants of 2013

-- Fine Dining Reigns Across America

NEW YORK, March 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Plotnicki and Opinionated About Dining (OAD) proudly announce the Top 100 Restaurants in America as determined by the OAD Survey. Over 3,800 people, including many of the country's top food bloggers, contributed more than 100,000 reviews to this year's survey.

Making a return to the number one spot this year, the French Laundry claimed the top position – meaning Thomas Keller's restaurant earned the top spot in five of the six years. Additionally, Per Se is in the number two spot, demonstrating why Keller is the most important chef the U.S. has ever produced. Alinea (Chicago); Urasawa (Beverly Hills); Saison (San Francisco); Manresa (Los Gatos, CA); Jean George (New York); Masa (New York); McCrady's (Charleston, SC); and Mini Bar/e by Jose Andres (Washington, D.C./Las Vegas) round out the Top 10.

2013's list highlights 24 new entries, including Atera (New York); Willows Inn (Lummi Island, WA); Sushi Zo (Los Angles); and Catbird Seat (Nashville, TN), all of which debuted in the Top 50. Other newcomers include Blanca (New York); Sons & Daughters (San Francisco); Cafe Juanita (Kirkland, WA); and the trio of Oxheart, Pass & Provisions (both in Houston), and Uchi (Austin) – the first time three Texas restaurants made the list.

"I found this year's list interesting in that while it is filled with restaurants that feature progressive cooking, a number of 'traditional' restaurants, like Babbo (New York), and Addison (Del Mar) appeared for the first time," says Plotnicki. Geographic diversity is another aspect Plotnicki highlighted: "Five years ago the idea that you could find important meals in places like Houston or Peoria was unimaginable."

40% of the restaurants that comprise the list features cuisine that originates in Europe or Asia, led by 18 Japanese restaurants, 12 French restaurants; 8 Italian and 2 Asian Fusion. Also for the first time, the slideshow of the Top 100 restaurants is available in French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Italian.

The OAD survey relies on tapping into the experience and opinions from diners who are passionate about where they eat. The methodology gives weight to types restaurants and participants based price point and number of restaurants reviewed.

Steve Plotnicki, is the author of OAD blog, and Opinionated About U.S. Restaurants 2011, he also organizes theme-based dinners with top chefs including Chef Tom Colicchio (Craft) and Michael Cimarusti (Providence, Los Angeles).