Fine Dining Explorer

Forbes Stars (formerly Mobil Stars)

The Forbes Travel Guide has been providing an objective restaurant rating system based on the levels of quality since 1958 in Canada and United States. Its rating inspectors make unannounced visits, adopting a checklist approach by indicating either “Yes” or “No” to several hundreds of objective criteria based on food quality, food presentation, service, and atmosphere. The result will be summarized into a star system with a maximum of five stars:

Provides a distinctive experience through culinary specialty, local flair or unique atmosphere. Value is considered in this category. Service may be limited (i.e. self-service, counter-service) in many cases.

Provides freshly-prepared food and a cordial and efficient waitstaff, in a clean and well-maintained setting. These restaurants are often family-oriented or have a clear theme represented on the menu and the surroundings.

Offers skillfully-prepared food with a focus on a specific style or cuisine. Dining room staff provides warm and professional service. The décor is well-coordinated with fixtures and decorative items that are of excellent quality and in keeping with the atmosphere.

Exceptional restaurants featuring food that's creative and complex, and emphasizes seasonality and culinary technique. A highly-trained dining room staff provides refined personal service and attention.

An elite group, Forbes Five-Star restaurants deliver a flawless dining experience, consistently providing exceptional food, superlative service, elegant décor and exquisite presentations. Every detail that surrounds the experience is attended to.

With currently more than 20,000 restaurants in Canada and United States, only 21 restaurants received a Five-Star rating in 2010:

    Addision - San Diego
    Alex – Las Vegas
    Alinea – Chicago
    Charlie Trotter’s – Chicago
    Georgian Room - Sea Island
    Fountain Restaurant - Philadelphia
    Jean Georges – New York
    Inn at Dos Brias - Brenham
    Joel Robuchon at the Mansion – Las Vegas
    Kai Restaurant - Chandler
    Lautrec - Farmington     Le Bernardin - New York     Masa – New York
    Per Se – New York
    The Dining Room – San Francisco
    The Dining Room at Woodlands – Summerville
    The French laundry – Yountville
    The Inn at Little Washington – Washington
    The Penrose Room - Colorado Springs
    The White Barn Inn Restaurant – Kennebunkport
    Studio - Laguna Beach

Links

Forbes Star Search Engine

List of Forbes Five-Star

List of Forbes Four-Star

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