The French Laundry

Grant Achatz, René Redzepi, Corey Lee — all passed through this Yountville kitchen before going on to define their own. For decades it's been one of the hardest bookings in America, and the cooking earns it: exacting French technique, pristine Napa Valley ingredients, a long tasting menu served in a room where someone has clearly agonized over every detail down to the height of the counters. Three Michelin stars and two years atop the World's 50 Best. The reservation is the hard part; the rest takes care of itself.