4 NorCal Restaurants Among The Top 100 In U.S., New Ranking Says

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Four restaurants in Northern California were among OpenTable’s "Top 100" list, which included everything from a Whiskey and Ramen joint in Anchorage, Alaska, to a large pink tavern in Savannah, Georgia, and even an Eiffel Tower-themed eatery overlooking the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

The list, released Wednesday, features an updated methodology using OpenTable diner reviews and new metrics, the company said in a news release. It includes some of the hottest, in-demand restaurants in the country.

Here are the restaurants that earned a spot from Northern California.

• Animo – Sonoma, CA — American Korean cuisine with focus on open hearth cooking. Intimate and cozy setting in Sonoma, California. Signature dishes are Lobster XO, Whole grilled Turbot, Dry aged Ribeye and Iberico Pork.
• House of Prime Rib – San Francisco, CA — 62 years of loyal customers can't be wrong. We are grateful to all of our customers, employees, and critics (...though we may not always agree!). The only way to find out the truth is with a visit. Oft imitated, never duplicated. Thank you in advance.
• Kokkari Estiatorio – San Francisco, CA — Kokkari (pronounced “Ko-Kar-ee”) is a small fishing village located on the islands of Samos in the Aegean Sea, whose name is derived from the small onions that were once produced in the nearby fields. Its fertile soil and Mediterranean climate translated into an abundance of fresh produce as well as treasured seafood and game. Legend tells that Kokkari is the site where Orion, a mighty hunter and a young man of gigantic stature and great beauty, fell in love with the daughter of the king of Chios. For the love of her, Orion forged the island for wild game and seafood to prepare elaborate banquets in celebration of their love. Today, we hope you will enjoy your own celebration as you dine at Kokkari Estiatorio on food “fit for the Gods” prepared with an Aegean palate and the style of innovative California fare.
• The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil – Rutherford, CA — With 16 consecutive Michelin Star awards, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil provides a memorable feast for the eyes and the senses. Nestled within a sun-lit hillside overlooking lush vineyards and distant mountains, the spectacular vista views from the intimate dining room or the expansive outdoor terrace serve as an idyllic backdrop for one of wine country's most renown fine dining experiences. Showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients, sourced from local purveyors, the Mediterranean-inspired menu is complemented by an extensive selection of international wines from the hotel’s award-winning 15,000 bottle cellar.

California and Florida had the highest share of restaurants on the list with 14 and seven, respectively. That includes returning restaurants Bavel and Bestia in Los Angeles, as well as House of Prime Rib and Kokkari Estiatorio in San Francisco.

This year’s list includes restaurants from 63 cities, including Brooklyn, New York; Palm Beach, Florida, and Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Foodies may also recognize some overlap with MICHELIN-starred eateries, such as Lilac in Tampa, Providence in Los Angeles and Girl & the Goat in Chicago.

"This year's Top 100 list features neighborhood gems, hotspots like Bad Roman, MICHELIN-starred venues like Jeune et Jolie, and restaurants new to the list from coast-to-coast," Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, said in a statement. "We also see representation across the culinary spectrum – with cuisines like Mediterranean, French and Japanese included."