Jonathan Gold Unleashes His Annual 101 Best Restaurants Listicle

The Goldster has released his annual listicle-to-end-all-listicles, the 101 Best Restaurants that's only available to LA Times subscribers. That means you'll have to pony up major dollars just to see what's hiding under the recycled papyrus, but Eater's here to unveil at least a few choice tidbits for you. Cracking the top of the list is Michael Cimarusti's seafood fine dining temple Providence, which has Mr. Gold beaming from ear to ear once again.

Number two is a surprising pick: Taco Maria, which isn't even in Los Angeles but all the way down in Costa Mesa. Carlos Salgado's modern Mexican restaurant is arguably the best place to eat south of the Orange Curtain, so that makes some sense. Placed at number three is Wolfgang Puck's flagship Spago, with Ludo Lefebvre's Trois Mec at number four. Rustic Canyon rounds out the top five.

Some curious placements in the ranking: Guerilla Tacos at #13, surely deserved but still maybe a tad high for a truck. Or is it? This is Los Angeles and we love our taco trucks. Curtis Stone's Maude, which didn't get the most enthusiastic review of all time from J. Gold, ranks #25, a pretty big disagreement with LA Weekly's Besha Rodell, who had the hunky Aussie's Beverly Hills spot at numero uno.

Placing Grand Central Market at #27 is kind of a cheater move that no one will care about because hey, collectively the place is kind of awesome. Should Govind Armstrong's South LA restaurant Post & Beam really be at #46? Why are there so many other OC places, like Brodard Chateau, Garlic & Chives, Playground, and Marche Moderne? Despite some curious placements, overall, it's still a very good, and helpful, collection of eateries in Southern California. Though of course, Eater has its handy dandy Essential 38, for those who don't have a Times subscription.

Have your own thoughts about what should/shouldn't have been included? Hit the comments below.