Opinionated About Dining "most important U.S. restaurants" survey

Not a huge sample (29,000 rankings from about 2,000 people, examining 1,000 U.S. restaurants of note), but here are the ones that rated at least 95 points (For kicks, I started bolding the ones I've been to, but then it seemed too pathetic so unbolded. I gotta get out more.):

1. The French Laundry, Yountville, Calif., 100
2. Per Se, New York, 99.73
3. Masa, New York, 99.00
4. Manresa, Los Gatos, Calif., 98.53
5. Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Pocantico Hills, N.Y., 98.50
6. Mini-Bar, Washington, D.C., 98.48
7. Urasawa, Beverly Hills, Calif., 98.43
8. Jean Georges, New York, 98.30
9. Alinea, Chicago, 97.78
10. Corton, New York, 97.53
11. McCrady's, Charleston, S.C., 97.50
12. Le Bernardin, New York, 97.17
13. Sushi Yasuda, New York, 97.08
14. Guy Savoy, Las Vegas, 97.00
15. Schwa, Chicago, 96.71
16. Kuruma Sushi, New York, 96.43
17. Eleven Madison Park, New York, 96.27
18. Momofuku Ko, New York, 96.26
19. Komi, Washington, D.C., 96.11
20. Cyrus, Healdsburg, Calif., 95.93
20. Providence, Los Angeles, 95.93
22. Marinus, Carmel, Calif., 95.81
23. Town House, Chilhowie, Va, 95.73
24. Coi, San Francisco, 95.72
25. Hugo's, Portland, Me., 95.66
26. Bouley, New York, 95.45
27. Aubergine, Carmel-By-the-Sea, Calif., 95.39
28. L' Atelier de Joel Robuchon, New York, 95.28
29. O Ya, Boston, 95.16
30. Elements, Princeton, N.J., 95.04.

Pssghetti's and Kahwa to open this week

Pssghetti's (26200 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwatwer, (727)797-9615) opens on Thursday. According to a source: A little like Mazzaro's and a fine-dining Italian restaurant under one roof. Lots of patio seating.

And the second Kahwa Cafe opens on Saturday on 2nd Ave S in St. Petersburg, next to the UPS store in the site of the former Milky Way Cafe.

Trattoria Pizzeria de Giuseppe

I just heard that Trattoria Pizzeria de Giuseppe will open at the former home of Caffe Amaretto on Memorial Highway, Tampa. More when I have it. Lot of new pizza places opening up, eh? That and gelato/ice cream. Not that I'm complaining.

Bocuse D'Or selects Team USA 2011

The Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation has announced that chef James Kent will represent the United States at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or International Culinary Competition, to be held in Lyon, France on January 25-26, 2011. His commis (assistant) in the competition will be Tom Allan. Currently, Chef Kent serves as sous chef at Eleven Madison Park in New York City and his commis is a sous chef at Eleven Madison Park as well.

On Saturday, twelve finalist teams (one chef plus one commis) competed in the U.S. Finals Competition which was held at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Each team created two elaborate culinary presentations before a live audience and a prestigious panel of chef judges chosen from The Bocuse d'Or USA Foundation's esteemed Culinary Council. Judges for the competition included The Foundation's Board of Directors - Chef Daniel Boulud, Chef Thomas Keller and Jerome Bocuse - as well as Chefs Grant Achatz, Paul Bartolotta, Timothy Hollingsworth, Traci Des Jardins, Paul Liebrandt, Walter Manzke, Daniel Patterson, Georges Perrier, Alain Sailhac, André Soltner, Susan Spicer, Laurent Tourondel, Alan Wong and Eric Ziebold.

Chef Kent's Scottish “Label Rouge” salmon pavé with leeks, Osetra cavier and sauce fumet blanc was garnished with the following: roulade with Alaskan king crab, relish of Cucumber and Meyer lemon; chilled mousse with tartare and roe; pickled heirloom beets with crème fraiche, dill and black pepper. Whew.

Congrats to FlameStone

FlameStone in Oldsmar has made it to the top of diners' picks in Tampa Bay on Open Table. See here. Nice to get this kind of people's choice validation. Owner Nick Pappas says business has been good.

Donatello to celebrate Venetian Carnival

On Tues., Feb. 16, from 6 to 11 p.m., Donatello Italian Restaurant will transform into a Venetian Carnival in celebration of Fat Tuesday. Just as Venetians have done for centuries, Donatello will recreate the lively festival held every year in the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. Belly Dancers and magicians will perform and guests will listen to live music while enjoying the Italian cuisine offered by Donatello’s Chef Luciano Visentin. Costumes and masks are encouraged. 232 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa. Tickets $50 in advance, $60 after Feb. 13. Includes dinner, entertainment and complimentary glass of Prosecco.
Call 813-875-6660 to reserve tickets.

New concept from Pappas family

The Pappas family will hold the grand opening for its new Pappas Ranch on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. Described thusly: "Steaks, Barbecue, Saloon," the first outpost opens at 11345 State Road 54 in Odessa.

Ricky P's one-year birthday party

Ricky P's Po Boy Shop (6521 4th St., N, St. Petersburg, (727) 525-2023)  is planning a Mardi Gras crawfish boil in honor of its first birthday. Takes place Sunday, Feb. 14 from 2 to 5 p.m., with boiled crawfish, potatoes, corn and sausage, jambalaya, red beans and rice, bread pudding and Beach Snoballs will be there shaving ice. They'll have beads for everybody, with great music. BYOB.

Cooking classes at Cafe Largo

On Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 at 6:30, chef Dominique leads French cooking classes for $37.50. On the 8th, the lineup is boeuf carbonnade, carrot vichy and a fruit sorbet, on the 22nd, it's chicken with apples, spinach a la creme and a fruit tart. For reservations, call (727) 596-6282.

St. Pete Beach Chick-fil-A to Host Daddy-Daughter Date Night

Chick-fil-A (4623 Gulf Blv., St. Pete Beach, (727) 367-7038) hosts a Date Night for fathers and daughters tomorrow 5 to 8 p.m. The restaurant will be decorated for the pre-Valentine’s evening with white tablecloths, candles and flowers. Seatings occur every half hour and reservations are required and may be made by calling (727) 367-7038. It's kind of sweet, really.