WHY IT RATES: AAA's Five Diamond awards have been bestowed on just 0.2 percent of the restaurants inspected by the organization.-Mia Taylor, TravelPulse Senior Writer.
Just 67 restaurants in North America currently have what it takes to hold AAA's distinctive Five Diamond Rating, including three restaurants added this year - Atera, COAST, and Oriole.
The coveted 2019 Five Diamond Award restaurant list makes up just 0.2 percent of the nearly 32,000 AAA Inspected & Approved restaurants across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Among the exclusive number of high-end establishments that have attained the Five Diamond rating, AAA's inspectors note many are adopting a much more casual environment in response to evolving guest preferences for a more relaxed experience.
High-end restaurants are adopting simple, streamlined décor and, thanks in part to the popularity of cooking shows and competitions, some continue to highlight lively open kitchen designs that allow guests to watch and even interact with culinary staff.
"Attaining the Five Diamond Rating is an impressive accomplishment," said Michael Petrone, director, AAA Inspections & Diamond Ratings. "To be considered leading edge, chefs must incorporate a laser-focused approach using innovative concepts and menus featuring the finest ingredients. Diners want to be wowed on multiple levels, so exceptional service is also important, but they're not necessarily looking for all the formalities that were once synonymous with fine dining."
Following a rigorous evaluation that includes anonymous dining by an experienced AAA inspector and review by a panel of experts, these restaurants earned Five Diamonds for the first time this past year.
Atera (New York, New York)
A treat for all the senses, the tasting menu slowly builds and excels with never-before-seen visual presentations and combinations. In a small dining room with a chef's table open to the kitchen and a lone side dining table for a party of four, it does not get much more exclusive than this.
COAST (Watch Hill, Rhode Island)
Located within a stately seaside inn with dramatic views of the ocean, this restaurant prides itself on using local Rhode Island and Atlantic Coast farm-to-table ingredients. The menu changes daily to incorporate the freshest items from local farmers and fishmongers.
Oriole (Chicago, Illinois)
The classy dining room is made more interesting by the brightly illuminated display kitchen that allows diners to watch the artful assembly of each plate. A multi-course menu is designed to be a surprise for guests.
Atera and Oriole both debut as AAA Five Diamond restaurants, while COAST-Rhode Island's first Five Diamond restaurant-was upgraded from Four Diamonds.
Those at the Four Diamond level, just 2.1 percent of AAA Inspected & Approved restaurants, are also an exclusive group. They offer a distinctive fine-dining experience, employing creative preparations that are skillfully served amid upscale ambiance. This year, there are 656 Four Diamond restaurants located across North America, including 39 additions this year.
To see the complete lists of 2019 AAA Four and Five Diamond restaurants, visit AAA.com/DiamondAwards. To see which cities and states have the most award winners, see AAA Four and Five Diamond Restaurant Facts. The 2019 AAA Four and Five Diamond Award-winning hotels were announced in January.
SOURCE: AAA press release
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