We have so far stayed out of the debate about the fancy, high-end restaurants in the city, except for the occasional snide remark. Snark is cheap: We just make cynical jokes when Michael Bauer decides which places are worthy of his attention or not, or when chef Daniel Patterson complains about the lack of culinary imagination of the leading restaurants. We sat on the sideline too long, and it's time to toss our hat in......

Alder Yarrow has written up the results of the UK-based Restaurant Magazine's top 50 list. You can set aside your obligatory "English food sucks" jokes, as The Fat Duck in the village of Bray, Berks, England has claimed the top spot, besting El Bulli in Spain (foams are soooooo 2004). Coming in at number three? Yountville's The French Laundry, winning best restaurant in the Americas. Berkeley's Chez Panisse was the "Highest Climber," rising to......