Take an epicurean inspired trip by private jet to experience some of America’s most famous eateries. Pick one city to explore, or better yet, pick a few as private jet travel makes the travel part of the trip oh so easy and hassle free. The competition among cities for their culinary offerings demands nothing but perfection in progressive cuisine. You can have some fun being a food critic yourself and see what city’s fine offerings appeal to you the most. Here are the top American “foodie” destinations, from white tablecloth to street food.
San Francisco, CA
With more than 3,500 restaurants, San Francisco has more restaurants per capita than any other city the country. While the Bay Area’s three star Michelin restaurants are located in the Napa Valley, San Francisco features 19 Michelin-star rated restaurants and immensely gifted chefs like Joshua Skenes, Gary Danko, and Ron Siegel. Atelier Crenn, Benu, Coi, Quince, Saison, Michael Mina, and Gary Danko are the most acclaimed restaurants, but there’s an enormous collection of other dining establishments that shouldn’t be overlooked. Recommendations include the traditional Tadich Grill downtown and the historic Cliff House overlooking at the Pacific Ocean. Don’t miss the Mission District for a burrito or Fisherman’s Wharf for clam chowder in a bread bowl.
New Orleans, LA
Charter a private jet down to the Big Easy for traditional regional specialty foods, celebrity chefs and overall world-class dining. New Orleans truly is foodie heaven. Several of the city’s most illustrious restaurants are in the French Quarter, most notably Emeril’s NOLA, Paul Prudhomme’s K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, Susan Spicer’s Bayonne. The French Quarter is also where you will find the illustrious Grand Dames restaurants – Galatoire’s, Broussard’s, and Antoine’s.
Other celebrated restaurants can be found in different parts of the city, like the venerable Commander’s Palace in the Garden District, famous for its turtle soup and the original Ruth’s Chris Steak House in the Warehouse District. Even with all of these sophisticated restaurants, a trip to New Orleans would not be complete unless foodies make it to local favorites, such as the Gumbo Shop, Daisy Dukes, Johnny Po-Boys and Cochon Butcher. And don’t miss local favorite the legendary Café du Monde, world acclaimed for its café au lait and incredibly delicious beignets.
New York, NY
When you charter a private jet to the Big Apple, you will find yourself in one of the undisputed top foodie destinations in America. Boasting seven Michelin three star restaurants and a staggering 67 dining establishments with one star or more, NYC is unsurpassed in the nation in sheer numbers of culinary extravagance. Yet even with high profile names like Daniel, Per Se, and Jean Gorges, New York is also famous for delicatessens, street food, and most every ethnic food imaginable. Foodie favorites such as Lobster Newburg, pasta primavera, and eggs benedict even have authentic New York City origins. Recommended culinary landmarks for first-time visitors include the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel, Carnegie Deli, Delmonico’s, and Katz’s Deli, the oldest in New York and location of the “I’ll have what she’s having” scene from “When Harry Met Sally.” Famous Nathan’s hot dog stands can be found throughout New York and are well worth the stop.
Los Angeles, CA
Charter your private jet to the City of Angels, home to hundreds, if not thousands of extraordinary restaurants scattered across the city. While tastes will vary in a metropolitan area of four million people, some of the most prominent restaurants in LA are Providence, Melisse, Spago, Cut, Chateau Marmont and Gordon Ramsay at the London. The second most expensive restaurant in the country is Chef Hiro’s Urasawa in Beverly Hills, with an astonishing omakase menu featuring 17 sushi varieties, Kobe beef, dessert and sake for $1,111 for a party of two. Equally famous, yet affordable restaurants include Pig’n Whistle, Canter’s Deli, DanTana’s Phillippe the Original, and for a classic, lower budget LA experience, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Randy’s Donuts and the Original Farmers Market.
Chicago, IL
While other cities might lay claim as America’s top foodie destination, the Windy City might have the world’s best restaurant. Alinea was recently named Elite Traveler’s Best Restaurant in the World for the third straight year and is the city’s only Michelin three star restaurant. Nevertheless, hundreds of outstanding restaurants can be found throughout a city perhaps more widely known for deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches. Other outstanding choices for foodies include Everest, atop the Chicago Stock Exchange, the progressive French cuisine at Tru and Grace, known for its exquisite flora and fauna prix fixe menus. For a more casual experience, try Gino’s East of Chicago, Superdawg Drive-In, Lou Mitchell’s and Billy Goat Tavern, all cultural icons oozing with Chicago-style atmosphere.