41. CATBIRD SEAT
Nashville, TN
42. SUGIYAMA
New York, NY
43. AMERICAN RESTAURANT
Kansas City, MO
44. SPAGO
Los Angeles, CA
45. CANLIS
Seattle, WA
46. MOMOFUKU KO
New York, NY
47. BAUMÉ
Palo Alto, CA
48. RED MEDICINE
Los Angeles, CA
49. NEXT
Chicago, IL
50. BLUE HILL
New York, NY
41

Photo Courtesy of: Good Eats Melbourne

Catbird Seat
Nashville, TN

470 PACIFIC AVE.
415-775-8500
WWW.QUINCERESTAURANT.COM

This place is set on a corner in Nashville’s Music Row, and from the outside, you would think you are about to enter your basic neighborhood bar and grill. But then the hostess directs you to an elevator that is waiting to whisk you up to the third floor. The elevator door opens and you find yourself in a hallway filled with twinkling lights. At that point it would be reasonable to ask yourself: Did I take a wrong turn and stumble into some hip club, and am I about to see Tiesto or Skrillex spin? But if you keep walking, you will find yourself in the Catbird Seat. Fortunately, the food is as dramatic as the setting; Josh Habiger and Erik Anderson turn out some of the best Modernist cuisine in the country, featuring dishes like parmesan and porcini oreos; kimchi-wrapped cod prepared with avocado, kiwi and melon rind; and local pigeon served with soy-infused, caramelized yogurt. The downside is the restaurant serves only 28 people each evening, making it one of the hardest reservations to get in the country.