7. D.O.M. Saõ Paulo, Brazil. Expense of meal for two, without wine: $400.
Given the media’s inclination for delineating culinary expert Alex Atala standing thigh-somewhere down in his highly cherished Amazon, uncovered chested and hung with a monster fish like some sort of modern Tarzan, it comes as something of an amazement that his eatery is so refined. Yet, the delicacy of mark dishes, similar to a pappardelle produced using hearts of palm or a ceviche made of indigenous flavors, misrepresents the pummel of their irregular flavors — and has helped Brazilians find the abundance of their local terroir. Indeed, even the Amazonian ants he serves, fragrant of lemongrass and set delicately on a 3D shape of pineapple, appear to be rich.