In New York City, the Mobil Travel Guide chose 4 restaurants worthy of their 2007 Five-Star rating. The only overlap with the AAA 5 Diamond ratings went to Jean Georges within the Trump International Tower & Hotel - described by Mobil as a restaurant “Drawing influences from around the world” and “impeccably executed by celebrity chef/owner Jean-Georges Vongerichten.” The other three restaurants that made the cut were Alain Ducasse (closed January 2007), Masa, and per se.

At Masa, prepare to spend $400 minimum just by walking in the 2,500-year-old Japanese cedar door (before you get drinks or food) - and Mobil recommends perching on the “23-foot-long bar where the chefs will serve you course by course.”

At per se, you benefit from the distinctive hands-on approach of Napa Valley’s THE FRENCH LAUNDRY brought to New York City. There are only 15 tables featuring views over Central Park. Mobil recommends that “the best way to enjoy Per Se is to order a tasting menu and then sit back for three hours of culinary epiphanies exemplified by small dishes such as truffles and custard in an eggshell and foie gras accompanied by various salts.

Mobil’s complete guide of New York City restaurants can be found here.