HotelChatter

Of course, the concept of "good food" is always relative. While Conrad New York aims for a crowd-pleaser like Shake Shack, Dream Downtown's Romera is keeping things weird with their "neurological tasting menu." Not to mention Le Parker Meridien's cult favorite burger joint. Any and all of these could potentially be seen as good.

Instead R&C is reaching for excellence with their 14 newest "Grand Chef" inductees, which include restaurants (some located inside hotels, others stand-alone) like Le Moût Restaurant in Taiwan and Combal.Zero in Rivoli's Museum of Modern Art.

As for Marea, where the actual event was held, R&C made a point of showing off the skills of the Grand Chef they have taken under their wing. A three-course menu of burrata with lobster, fusili with octopus and bone marrow, and grilled bass pretty much spoke for itself. Which is to say, rendered us speechless.

Uptown, Cafe Boulud, located on the ground level of The Surrey, was called the "most consistently enjoyable of the restaurants owned by Daniel Boulud" by the New York Times when it opened in 2007.

As Relais & Chateaux continues its culinary takeover, will you remain interested? How important is a five-star meal to your hotel experience? Let us know your thoughts below!