How This Italian Eatery Became the World’s Best Restaurant

Mangia!

In the artfully produced video above, chef Massimo Bottura eloquently describes his approach to making great food, which to him comes from the same place as art. He’s worth a listen, because his restaurant in little Modena, Italy was declared the Best Restaurant in the World for 2016. 

Selected by The World’s Fifty Best restaurants, a collection of gourmets, chefs, and restaurateurs, Osteria Francescana placed ahead of some fantastic restaurants in great foodie destinations like Vienna and New York City. The American Genius came up with some reasons why Chef Bottura’s modest, clean-looking eatery rose to the top:

Without knowing the criteria for the award, we can still guess what brought Osteria Francescana to number one, based on the rave reviews: “After two years in the No. 2 spot, Massimo Bottura’s tranquil restaurant in a Modena back street rightly steps up to take the global crown, reflecting the chef’s ongoing creativity, immense skill, undimmed passion and fierce determination to defy the odds.”

Genius writes that Chef Bottura’s success can instruct anyone beginning their own commercial endeavor. In “Honoring traditions from the past while reinventing them for the present,” he has found “a recipe for success for any business.”

As listed by Eater, these are the top 10 out of the 50 Best Restaurants. We’re certain every one of them has their own lessons to teach about making great food as well:

1. Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy
Chef: Massimo Bottura
Last year’s rank: 2
Average cost: Cost: €180-€200 (USD $234-$260).

2. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
Chef: Joan Roca
Last year’s rank: 1
Average cost: €165-€195 (USD $184-$218)* 2015 pricing.

3. Eleven Madison Park, New York City
Chef: Daniel Humm
Last year’s rank: 5
Cost: $295, service-included.

4. Central, Lima
Chef: Virgilio Martinez and Pia Leon
Last year’s rank: 4
Average cost: s/319-s/398 (USD: $95-$119).

5. Noma, CopenhagenChef: René Redzepi
Last year’s rank: 2
Cost: 1900 DKK (USD: $289).

6. Mirazur, Menton, France
Chef: Mauro Colagreco
Last year’s rank: 11
Average cost: €85-€210 (USD: $110-$273)

7. Mugaritz, Errenteria, Spain
Chef: Andoni Luis Aduriz
Last year’s rank: 6
Cost: €185 (USD: $240)

8. Narisawa, Tokyo
Chef: Yoshihiro Narisawa
Last year’s rank: 8
Cost: ¥25000 (USD: $233).

9. Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
Last year’s rank: 15
Average cost: €132-€142 ($171-$184)

10. Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain
Last year’s rank: 13
Cost: €135 (USD $175)

This list also looks like a pretty good way to guide your planning for a trip around the world. Go where the great food is, starting in Italy. Though given the worldwide attention Osteria Francescana and its artistic chef have received, you may want to make your reservations for 2017 now.

h/t The American Genius, Eater