by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:45 PM ET, Wed February 21, 2018
AAA has named eight new Five Diamond-rated restaurants that foodies everywhere will want to add to their bucket list.
The prestigious list, announced today, includes a total of 68 restaurants that earned the AAA Five Diamond Rating in the past 12 months.
The eight newest honorees include hidden gems, unassuming storefront restaurants, elegant resorts and casual taverns. They also feature a range of culinary trends from frequently changing tasting menus to open kitchens with counter seating.
"Five Diamond restaurants have evolved over the years to meet the changing expectations of restaurant enthusiasts who are increasingly sophisticated about cuisine," Michael Petrone, director, AAA Inspections & Diamond Ratings, said in a statement.
"Guests want to learn about cooking techniques, ingredient sourcing and the latest trends. They are looking for a wide-ranging dining experience that includes being educated and entertained. No longer does world-class necessarily mean formal attire and opulent surroundings. And that's where AAA's Diamond Ratings can help guide the discerning diner."
A mere 0.2 percent of the more than 31,000 AAA inspected and approved restaurants receive the Five Diamond honor. To earn the illustrious rating, a restaurant must consistently provide leading-edge cuisine of the finest ingredients, uniquely prepared by an acclaimed chef and served by expert service staffs in extraordinary surroundings.
As for those surroundings, the definition of "extraordinary" is evolving. Some of the Five Diamond restaurants do offer a lavish setting, but others on the list feature counter seating or chef's tables overlooking or surrounding the cooking area.
In addition, many Five Diamond restaurants, including most of those that are new on the list this year, offer tasting menus that feature a frequently changing array of intricate small dishes prepared from the finest ingredients and presented in an interactive environment.
The eight new honorees this year are: Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare (New York City), Manresa(Los Gatos, California), McCrady's(Charleston, South Carolina), Pineapple and Pearls (Washington, D.C.), TEMPO Contemporary Cuisine by Martin Berasategui (Cancun), The Catbird Seat (Nashville, Tennessee), Topper's(Nantucket, Massachusetts.), and Vetri(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.)
"It is no small feat to be named an AAA Five Diamond restaurant. Receiving this rating is a rare honor that signifies the highest-quality flavors and innovative presentations, with personalized service in memorable surroundings," added Petrone.
Restaurants receiving a Five Diamond Rating undergo a number of checks and balances including multiple unannounced evaluations and a final decision by a panel of experts to ensure credibility.
AAA began field inspections of lodgings and restaurants in 1937, then went to a formal rating system in 1963 that in 1976 evolved into the Diamond Rating system for lodgings. The Diamond Ratings for restaurants started in 1985.
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