Food Rankings 2018
On April 17, Restocracy concluded the first edition of the “Food Rankings 2018” competition for Bucharest. The competition, which began on January 15, lasted 3 months, and at the end, the restaurants with the best dishes in the required categories and subcategories were designated.
Competitions of this kind, for designating the best dishes in specific categories, are held in almost all countries, in parallel with competitions for designating the best (general) restaurants in the respective city or area, usually grouped by types of cuisine or dominant specificity.
While evaluations for designating the best restaurants by specificity are almost always done unexpectedly and anonymously, competitions for designating the best dishes are conducted both unexpectedly and anonymously, as well as through a voluntary registration system with open tastings, where restaurants prepare in advance for these evaluations.
For the “Food Rankings” competition, Restocracy chose this second system, with voluntary registration and open, transparent evaluation. In practice, through this system, we aim to see the maximum level that a restaurant, and their chef respectively, can reach if they contribute all their skill and resources and make a consistent effort, with the idea that anyone could benefit from such a gastronomic experience, at least theoretically.
The “Restocracy Food Rankings” competition is organized annually, between January and April, and the titles awarded to the winning restaurants, “Best Specific Dish for Year X,” are valid for 1 year, until the next winners of the respective category are designated the following year.
In the case of categories with multiple subcategories, nominations and awards will be granted separately for each subcategory: “Best non-Japanese beef in Bucharest in 2018,” and “Best Japanese beef in Bucharest in 2018,” as an example.
If applicable, special mentions are also awarded for certain exceptional dishes to restaurants that did not win the title in that category, and “hors concours” special mentions for other merits and achievements, such as service or dishes outside the competition.
Restaurants that wished to compete passed through an initial filter, with around 10 restaurants admitted into the competition for each category. This year, the competition was held only for restaurants in Bucharest, but it will be extended to other cities in the coming years.
The required categories, some of them with subcategories, are:
• Sushi, Sashimi, Ramen, and Udon (4 separate subcategories, but the same jury – presented simultaneously)
• Pasta and Risotto (2 separate subcategories, but the same jury – presented simultaneously)
• Steak (2 separate subcategories, non-Japanese beef and Japanese beef, but the same jury – presented simultaneously)
• Foie gras
• Seafood
• Fish
• Hummus, Tabbouleh, Kibby (3 separate subcategories, but the same jury – presented simultaneously)
These 7 categories remain unchanged from one edition to another (“Permanent Series”), but throughout the year, specific competitions will be launched ("Floating Series"), for a single category, either at the initiative of some restaurants or opened by Restocracy. The approach, evaluation, and workflow will be identical to those of the Permanent Series.
The evaluation is done in two stages: pre-selection, after which the top 3-5 restaurants enter the final evaluation. It is important to mention that exclusively the quality and presentation of the food are evaluated, and nothing else, such as ambiance, service, prices, wines, etc.
Restaurants may also present dishes that are not on the current menu (existing at the date of the competition), but with the obligation to introduce those dishes into the menu if they have won the title or a special mention.
This year, there were 37 restaurants registered in the competition, many of them in multiple categories and subcategories:
1. Argentine
2. AV8
3. Avalon
4. Belli Siciliani
5. Benihana
6. Borgo Margherita
7. Caffe Citta
8. Cherhanaua Ancora
9. Dancing Lobster
10. Edo Garden
11. Fish House
12. Ginger Sushi Bar & Lounge
13. Ici et La
14. Isoletta
15. Joseph by Joseph Hadad
16. JW Steakhouse
17. Kanpai Bistro
18. L’Atelier
19. La Cantine de Nicolai
20. La Cave de Bucarest
21. La Estancia
22. La Terrazza
23. Le Bistrot Francais
24. MAIZE
25. Mesogios
26. Osho
27. Pasterra
28. Poesia
29. Prime
30. Raionul de Peste
31. Red Angus
32. Roberto’s
33. Sushiroom
34. Vacamuuu
35. Yoshi
36. Yuki
37. Zen Sushi
This year, the juries included over 70 personalities from nearly 30 countries, with over 20 ambassadors of foreign countries in Romania or Romanian ambassadors abroad, all with long-standing tasting experience in the world’s greatest restaurants. No representative of Restocracy is part of these juries.
The winners of the “Restocracy Food Rankings” Bucharest 2018 Edition, Permanent Series, are:
Best sushi and sashimi in Bucharest in 2018 – Argentine
Best ramen in Bucharest in 2018 – Kanpai Bistro
Best udon in Bucharest 2018 – Yuki
Best pasta and best risotto in Bucharest in 2018 – Roberto’s
Best foie gras in Bucharest in 2018 – L’Atelier
Best fish in Bucharest in 2018 – Fish House
Best seafood in Bucharest in 2018 – Isoletta
Best steak (Japanese beef) in Bucharest in 2018 – Benihana
Best steak (non-Japanese beef) in Bucharest in 2018 – Red Angus
Special mentions for:
Wild salmon from Yoshi
Bucatini al coniglio della caccia from Borgo Margherita
Risotto ai ricci di mare con bottarga from Belli Siciliani
Vegetables from MAIZE
Seafood soup from Raionul de Peste
Shrimp with lemon and garlic sauce from Mesogios
Lobster with polenta from Le Bistrot Francais
Mackerel with green sauce from La Cave de Bucarest
King & Tiger Prawns from Dancing Lobster
“Hors concours” special mentions for:
Pizza Margherita from Borgo Margherita
Foamy, creamy, crunchy chocolate, peanut ice cream with smoked salt and piment d`Espelette from Le Bistrot Francais
Service and ambiance at Isoletta
Restocracy.ro is a site launched in March 2017, based on a restaurant evaluation and presentation system created by George Butunoiu and his associates. The main product is the "Restocracy List," which is the Top 200 best restaurants in Bucharest. In addition to this List, Restocracy includes numerous other lists of restaurants, cafes, and various venues: Great gardens and terraces, Bohemian spots, child-friendly restaurants, and many, many others, articles and news, competitions, and special projects, etc.
In May, Restocracy will launch its full mobile application, Restocracy Mobile, with all the main lists from the site, a reservation system, a restaurant evaluation system for readers, comments, etc.
Source: Restocracy
Frequently Asked Questions
Who organized the 2018 Food Rankings competition?
The competition was organized by Restocracy, a restaurant evaluation platform founded by George Butunoiu.
What was the main evaluation criterion?
The jury evaluated exclusively the quality and presentation of the food, excluding factors like ambiance, service, or pricing.
Who participated in the judging process?
The jury consisted of over 70 international personalities, including 20 ambassadors with extensive global dining experience.