Each year, the team at Condé Nast Traveler dedicates twelve months to exploring the best dining experiences around the globe. This year, they have some unexpected surprises in store.
The 29th edition of their Hot List features a carefully curated collection of the best new and revived restaurants in the world; among the places are a converted auto body shop in Mexico City, a famous Indian restaurant on Instagram known for its now-viral tom kha pani puri, and a Chicago restaurant that pays homage to the artichoke.
Why Il Carciofo is the best restaurant in the world
Almost four years ago, Top Chef Season 15 winner Joe Flamm opened his Italian-Croatian restaurant, Rosemary. Since then, people have been planning their reservations a month in advance, with the coveted 7 PM slot being especially competitive. And while it remains the best restaurant in Chicago, that isn’t the restaurant that Conde Nast Traveler named the best new restaurant.
Late last year, Flamm opened an Italian sibling restaurant just a few blocks away, and it quickly gained popularity. Named Il Carciofo, which means artichoke in Italian, the restaurant pays homage to the cuisine of the Eternal City through ingredients sourced from both Italy and the Midwest.
Besides carciofo alla giudia, crispy deep-fried artichokes showered with Pecorino Romano, other Roman favorites include supplì, cheesy fried rice balls stuffed with braised beef and tomato sauce or pesto; planks of prosciutto-wrapped veal saltimbocca; and rigatoni all’amatriciana, made with pasta from the on-site lab.
Flamm oversees the operation and serves up Roman pizzas from an open kitchen; However, the appeal of the restaurant extends beyond the food. An all-Italian wine list and amaro cocktails are worth exploring—the Carciofo Manhattan, with rye, rum, and Zucca rhubarb amaro, making for a perfect finish to your meal.