AL's Place Takes First Place on Bon Appétit's Top Ten Best New Restaurants List

Bon Appétit released its annual list of the Top Ten Best New Restaurants in America this morning, cementing San Francisco's position as "the best food city in America." Not only did two San Francisco restaurants make the coveted short list, but Mission hotspot AL's Place tops it at #1, backed up by Rintaro at #8. In sharp contrast, zero restaurants from Manhattan made the list (though Brooklyn's Semilla slid into fourth place), leading New Yorkers to ask "Is this the end of times?" Alternately, San Francisco is simply receiving the accolades that it deserves, after a banner year of restaurant openings.

The top ten were chosen from the magazine's larger list of 50 Best New Restaurants in America, released earlier this month, which included fellow SF contenders Aatxe, Lazy Bear, The Progress and Liholiho Yacht Club. Last year's list was topped by Rose's luxury in Washington, DC, an upscale spot that has been frequented by the likes of President Obama, with SF's only top ten winner, Tosca Café clocking in at fourth. This year's first choice is an interesting juxtaposition, featuring the vegetable- and seafood-centric food of Aaron London (formerly of vegetarian Ubuntu) in a low-key atmosphere, accompanied by Rintaro, the sleek izakaya from chef Sylvan Mishima Brackett (Peko Peko, Chez Panisse).

Here's the full 2015 list:

1. AL's Place, San Francisco
2. Gjusta, Los Angeles
3. Petit Trois, Los Angeles
4. Semilla, Brooklyn
5. Parachute, Chicago
6. Dai Due, Austin
7. Kindred, Davidson, NC
8. Rintaro, San Francisco
9. Manolin, Seattle
10. Milktooth, Indianapolis