Everyone loves a list, particularly a ranked list. We do. David Letterman does. Water companies do. Thus San Pellegrino has just announced its list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. For the third consecutive year, Noma in Copenhagen comes in at No. 1. (Congratulations to Rene Redzepi, who is having quite a year in lists.) Second and third place also are repeats from last year: Spain's El Celler de Can Roca at No. 2; and Mugaritz, also in Spain, at No. 3.

In fourth place is D.O.M. in Sao Paulo, Brazil (up three places from last year); fifth place goes to Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy (down one); and in sixth place is Thomas Keller's Per Se in New York (up four). Finishing out the top 10: Grant Achatz's Alinea at seven; Arzak in Spain at No. 8; Dinner by Heston Blumental in London at No. 9; and New York's Eleven Madison Park at No. 10. So, three each for Spain and the United States. Not bad, all things considered.

The awards were announced April 30 at London's Guildhall. The list actually extends to 100 restaurants, if you want to see the complete list. Additionally, this year Elena Arzak (of the same restaurant that placed eighth) was named World's Best Female Chef; and Thomas Keller (Per Se, etc.) was given a Lifetime Achievement Award. And next year, to make things even more interesting, or at least to add another list, I guess, the site will name Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. But you'll have to wait until February for that one.

According to the website, the list is organized by Restaurant magazine and created from “The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 800 international leaders in the restaurant industry each selected for their expert opinion of the international restaurant scene.”

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