I'm going to try something different for my top lists. After several years reviewing restaurants, I've realized that keeping up a top ten list is too difficult. Yes, this is no major revelation for most of you, but I can be a little slow at times.

On average, we go to about 20-30 new restaurants in a year. That's not a comprehensive search. Also, it's not fair in my mind to compare a restaurant we visited in 2005 with one we visited in 1997. Things change: menus, owners, chefs, and so on.

So the new plan is to compile a top list for each year. For practical purposes, I'll start with excellent restaurants and rank them. I'll stop at ten or after excellent restaurants are exhausted. We've received positive comments on our list of excellent restaurants, so I feel confident in this approach. Please keep in mind that these are all great restaurants, and the order is very subjective.

Top Ten 2009

1. Sea Salt
   
2. ChinDian
   
3. La Chaya
   
4. Chimborazo
   
5. Cafe BonXai
   
6. Himalayan Restaurant
   
7. HOMI
   
8. Pop!!
   

   Top Ten 2008
   

   1. Heidi's
      
   2. Meritage
      
   3. Lemon Grass Thai
      
   4. Jasmine 26
      
   5. Ngon Bistro
      
   6. Obento-ya
      
   7. Hao Bien
      
   8. Be'wiched
      
   9. Brasa
      
   10. Nala Pak
       
   11. La Gran
       
   12. Charly's Polleria
       
   13. Everest On Grand
       
   14. Zakia Deli
       

       Top Ten 2007
       

       1. 112 Eatery
          
       2. Peninsula
          
       3. Town Talk Diner
          
       4. Little Szechuan
          
       5. Puerta Azul
          

       Top Ten 2006
       

       1. Cosmos
       2. Chambers Kitchen
       3. La Belle Vie
       4. Cue
       5. Tea House
       6. D'Castellanos
       7. Dong Yang
       8. Emma's (closed)
       9. Brianno's Deli
       10. Nami
       11. Rooster BBQ
       12. Tanpopo Noodle Shop

       Top Ten 2005
       

       1. Solera
       2. Udupi (closed)
       3. Evergreen Taiwanese
       4. Kafe 421
       5. Jasmine Deli
       6. Que Nha
       7. Rice Paper
       8. Fermentations
       9. Manny's Tortas (tie #9)
       10. La Loma (tie #9)
       11. Taqueria La Hacienda (tie #9)
       12. Lee and Dee's
       13. Maverick's

       Top Ten 2004
       

       1. Heartland
       2. True Thai
       3. 3 Muses (closed)
       4. Pizza Nea
       5. Nardie's
       6. Bakery on Grand (closed)
       7. Midori's Floating World Café
       8. Azia
       9. Biscayne Bay

       Top Ten 2003
       

       1. Chet's Taverna (closed)
       2. JP American Bistro (closed)
       3. Cafe Biaggio
       4. Cheng Heng
       5. Nancy's Landing
       6. Pop!

       Top Ten 2002
       

       1. Goodfellow’s (closed)
       2. Sapor Cafe and Bar
       3. Quang Restaurant
       4. Vincent
       5. New King’s Buffet
       6. Mac’s Fish and Chips
       7. Holy Land Bakery

       Top Ten 2001
       

       1. 128 Cafe (closed)
       2. McCormick and Schmick’s
       3. Cafe Della Vita
       4. Jazzmine’s (closed)
       5. Highland Grill
       6. Black Sea
       7. El Tequila

       Top Ten 2000
       

       1. Pazzaluna
       2. Morton’s of Chicago
       3. Punch Woodfire Pizza

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