Serious Eats
The Best Chef's Tables in the U.S.
The chef's table—where you sit in or very near the kitchen to get a bird's eye view of the proceedings while a special meal is cooked for you—is a concept many serious food lovers find appealing. ForbesTraveler.com gives its list of the nine best examples in the U.S.
Among them are:
- Café Gray: Chef Gray Kunz's private table seats up to 12. According to the restaurant's site, "With a little guidance from you, Gray will create a specialized menu for you and your guests. Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor, New York NY 10019; 212-823-6332, ask for Maureen Farley Schilling; cafegray.com
- Hotel Bel-Air: Known as Table One, the chef prepares a seven-course surprise dinner—while respecting any dietary restrictions you or your guests may have. $150 per person and $1,250 minimum. 701 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles CA 90077; 310-943-6710; hotelbelair.com
- Telluride Ski Resort: The chef's table at Allred's seats four to six guests; chef Bob Scherner and crew will cook a five-course surprise tasting menu ($100 per person) with a wine-pairing option ($150 per person). Take the gondola to Station Saint Sophia; 970-728-7474; reservations via OpenTable.com
- The English Grill at Brown Hotel: Chef Laurent Géroli creates a seven-course prix fixe meal using fresh local ingredients, with wine pairings ($150 per person; four-guest minimum, table seats eight). 335 West Broadway, Louisville KY 40404; 502-583-1234, ext. 7166; brownhotel.com