Atelier Crenn, Meadowood Inch Closer to Possible World’s 50 Best Inclusion

The hubbub of listicle season has begun, as World’s 50 Best begins their dramatic unveiling of its collection of very elite, expensive, and male-dominated restaurants. This year could bring extra excitement for Bay Area fine dining acolytes: Atelier Crenn, Manresa, and the Restaurant at Meadowood were notably absent in the guide’s release of its runners up (the 51-100 guide).

The “back 50” is a mix of newer, less established restaurants and high-profile restaurants that haven’t maintained their polish. Last year Atelier Crenn debuted on the list at #83 , while Meadowood was positioned at #84 and Manresa at #90. Exclusion from it could mean that the restaurant will make the top 50, or have been dropped altogether; there’s no way to know until the full list is announced next week.

This year’s list included the addition of Healdsburg’s two-Michelin-starred Single Thread at #91, while the French Laundry moved to #86 from last year’s position at #63. Meanwhile, Corey Lee’s three-Michelin-starred Benu continues to work its way toward the top 50, moving from #67 to #53 this year.

Crenn, who was bestowed with the title of “Best Female Chef” in 2016, has been outspoken against the lack of female chefs leading restaurants on the list. All three restaurants helmed by women on last year’s top 50 were all co-chefs with male partners.

Meanwhile, it seems likeley that Saison will maintain its position on the list. Chef Joshua Skenes’s tasting menu temple was ranked #37 last year after a ten-spot plummet from #27 in 2016. Stay tuned for next week’s announcement, and check out the full list of winners below:

World’s 50 Best List 2018: 51 - 100

51. De Librije Zwolle, Netherlands

52. L’Astrance Paris, France

53. Benu, San Francisco, USA

54. Sühring, Bangkok, Thailand

55. Don Julio, Buenos Aires, Argentina

56. Amber, Hong Kong, China

57. Nerua, Bilbao, Spain

58. Brae Birregurra, Australia

59. Florilège, Tokyo, Japan

60. Tegui, Buenos Aires, Argentina

61. Burnt Ends, Singapore

62. Momofuku Ko, New York, USA

63. Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem, Belgium

64. Sud 777, Mexico City, Mexico

65. Frantzén, Stockholm, Sweden

66. Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

67. Fäviken, Järpen, Sweden

68. Quique Dacosta, Denia, Spain

69. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare, New York, USA

70. Selfie, Moscow, Russia

71. Relae, Copenhagen, Denmark

72. Twins Garden, Moscow, Russia

73. Aqua, Wolfsburg, Germany

74. The Fat Duck, Bray, England

75. Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal

76. Martin Berasategui, Lasarte-Oria, Spain

77. Elkano, Getaria, Spain

78. Mingles, Seoul, Korea

79. A Casa do Porco, São Paulo, Brazil

80. Lung King Heen, Hong Kong, China

81. Per Se, New York, USA

82. Hedone, London, UK

83. Estela, New York, USA

84. St John, London, UK

85. Le Coucou, New York, USA

86. The French Laundry, Yountville, USA

87. Maní, São Paulo, Brazil

88. Nobelhart & Schmutzig, Berlin, Germany

89. The Jane, Antwerp, Belgium

90. Indian Accent, New Delhi, India

91. SingleThread, Healdsburg, USA

92. L’Effervescence, Tokyo, Japan

93. 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, Bombana Hong Kong, China

94. Alo, Toronto, Canada

95. Enigma, Barcelona, Spain

96. Diverxo, Madrid, Spain

97. Atelier, Munich, Germany

98. 108, Copenhagen, Denmark

99. Leo, Bogotá, Colombia

100. Lasai, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Here are the 2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurant Rankings, 51 to 100
• Atelier Crenn Edges Closer to World’s 50 Best List As Part of ‘Diner Discovery Series’
• Saison Blasts Onto the World’s 50 Best
• We Once Again Ask Why There Is a ‘Best Female Chef’ Award
• San Francisco’s 2018 Michelin Stars, Mapped