Sometimes you want to indulge in a high-end culinary experience. For those special occasions, upscale restaurants provide exceptional food, top-notch service, and elegant ambiance you can’t find elsewhere. Here are some of the best upscale dining establishments that offer a luxury night out.
Classic French Fine Dining
French cuisine is the foundation of fine dining, perfected over centuries. Le Bernardin in New York City serves exquisite French-inspired seafood in a classy setting designed by LA legend Frank Gehry. Chef Eric Ripert’s dishes like crispy spiced tuna and poached lobster have earned three Michelin stars. Another temple of French haute cuisine is The French Laundry in California’s Napa Valley. Chef Thomas Keller’s 9-course tasting menu changes daily based on seasonal ingredients. From the extensive wine list to sommelier pairing suggestions, The French Laundry offers once-in-a-lifetime culinary luxury.
Steakhouses with Sophistication
For exceptional steaks and old-school glamour, upscale steakhouses deliver. The Palm is a New York institution beloved by power brokers for its caricatures lining the walls and flawlessly cooked aged beef. Signature menu items include the Nova Scotia lobster and jumbo lump crab cakes. In Nashville, try Kayne Prime for hand-cut Miyazaki Wagyu beef, decadent sites like truffle mac and cheese, and a swanky vibe. Their exhaustive whiskey menu provides the ideal steak pairing. For a special occasion, these steakhouses serve luxury beef in an elegant setting.
Michelin-Starred Excellence
Michelin stars denote the absolute best cuisine. Per Se in New York boasts three Michelin stars for Chef Thomas Keller’s refined American tasting menus featuring ingredients like steelhead roe and Miyagi oysters. Alinea in Chicago earns three stars for Grant Achatz’s cutting-edge molecular gastronomy. Dishes are as artistic as they are delicious. Le Cinq in Paris achieves the height of French culinary mastery with three stars. From caviar to lobster, the degustation menus demonstrate refined techniques. Michelin-starred restaurants offer once-in-a-lifetime meals.
Celebrity Chef Hot Spots
Many Tomball restaurants are headed by famous chefs. José Andrés’ Jaleo serves creative Spanish tapas, while his Bazaar astonishes with molecular gastronomy. Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurants like Jean-Georges in New York and Matador Room in LA are culinary destinations. Nobu Matsuhisa’s global chain Nobu fuses Japanese and South American flavors. Experiencing the cuisine of a legendary chef takes fine dining to the next level.
Ultimate Wine Pairings
For the wine enthusiast, restaurants like The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley and Daniel in New York have award-winning wine programs. Sommeliers guide you through flights of rare vintage pours and expert food pairings. Perbacco in San Francisco has an entire section of the menu devoted to Barolo. Dallas hot spot Cru helps you choose wines from their 9,000+ labels. These restaurants elevate wine to high art.
Conclusion
Treat yourself to an indulgent meal at an upscale restaurant on your next special night out. From the finest ingredients to impeccable service, restaurants at the peak of luxury dining offer once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experiences. Of course, you can also find superb locally-sourced cuisine and extensive wine lists at the upscale yet laid-back Fielding’s Local Kitchen + Bar.
