The Emmy Award-winning show pits the top chefs of the day.
If you're a fan of food-based television, you've probably heard of Bravo TV's "Top Chef," the Primetime Emmy Award-winning reality-based show that pits the top chefs of the day in a competition for money, prizes and the prestigious title of Top Chef. What you may not know is that you can actually eat in the restaurants of many of the show's past contestants.
Northeast
East Coast fans may want to make a trip to Washington, D.C., where several Top Chef alumni practice their craft, including Spike Mendelsohn, a contestant on seasons 4 and 8. One of the city's favorite hamburger joints, Mendelsohn's Good Stuff Eatery, serves award-winning burgers, hand-cut fries and hand-spun ice cream.
A little farther north, you'll find Season 2 finalist Sam Talbot at the Restaurant at the Surf Lodge in Montauk, New York. Serving everything from freshly caught local seafood to cocktails and burgers, the Surf Lodge promises elegance, relaxation and Talbot's brand of no-fuss fine cuisine.
Southeast
Season 8 Top Chef Richard Blais runs the Flip Burger Boutique chain.
If you're heading to the Atlanta area and you're in the mood for a modern twist on the traditional hamburger, the city boasts two of the three Flip Burger Boutiques headed by Season 8 Top Chef Richard Blais. Also operating in Birmingham, Alabama, Flip Burger offers house-made condiments and traditional and nontraditional sides, as well as beer, wine, specialty drinks and milkshakes.
While in Atlanta, you may also want to drop in on Season 6 finalist Kevin Gillespie at the Woodfire Grill. Serving contemporary American cuisine made from sustainable, locally grown organic foods, this restaurant features seafood, beef, duck and pork.
Midwest
Chicago-area residents can enjoy the all-inclusive, farm-fresh menu of the first female Top Chef, Season 4's Stephanie Izard. With a menu split between meat, fish and vegetarian items, Izard's Girl & The Goat restaurant should appeal to everyone, including beer lovers. Also in Chicago is Sprout Restaurant, run by Dale Levitski, a contestant in seasons 3 and 8. With a three-star rating from the "Chicago Tribune," Sprout offers upscale dining that includes stuffed quail.
West Coast
Fabio Viviani, who competed in seasons 5 and 8, operates Cafe Firenze.
If you're on the West Coast, you may want to drop in on Fabio Viviani, a Top Chef contestant in seasons 5 and 8. In fact, at the Cafe Firenze Italian Restaurant and Martini Lounge in Moon Park, California, you can see Fabio's cooking firsthand with the restaurant's Chef's Table dining experience. Even if you don't get to meet the Italian-born chef in person, you can still enjoy his take on Italian food and hospitality.
In Santa Monica, Season 5 finalist Stefan Richter serves oysters to pretzel dumplings in his modern take on Cosmopolitan dining, Stefan's at LA Farm. Stefan's also offers private wine-cellar dining, a casual bar featuring flat-screen television and a fire pit surrounded by leather banquettes.
Tags: contestant seasons, Flip Burger, Season finalist, Cafe Firenze, Chef Richard, Chef Richard Blais, Emmy Award-winning