Bucket List 2.012

In retrospect, I’m a little disappointed in myself.  Since 2009, I’ve only been able to knock off four restaurants in my bucket list – Grey’s Papaya, Jean Georges, Alinea, and TRU.  Maybe I need to be more realistic.  If that’s the case, I will have to fill in the blanks with more attainable choices.  We’ll see how 2012 goes.  As always, in no particular order:

• Per Se (New York City) Because I’ve heard this is better than French Laundry.
• Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles) Because this is the best LA choice.
• Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills) Because Dan Barber is a god.
• K Paul’s (New Orleans) Because I met Chef Paul last year and he wants me to visit.
• Lolita (Cleveland) Because I’ve followed Michael Symon’s career since 2001 when Michael Ruhlman wrote about him in Soul of a Chef.
• wd~50 (New York City) Because Wylie Dufresne intrigues the hell out of me.
• Chez Panisse (Berkeley) Because I’ve lived in the Bay Area for 14 years and never eaten here.  It’s embarrassing, I know.
• Coi (San Francisco) Because this Michelin-starred restaurant is ridiculously close to my office.
• Benu (San Francisco) Because the San Francisco Chronicle AND The New York Times say so.
• Asador Etxebarri (Axpe, Spain) Because I fell in love with this place on No Reservations.  They had me at the baby eels.