The Twelfth Annual Hot List Tables 2008 – taken from Condé Nast Traveler May 2008 Issue

Our team of roving epicures visited 32 countries - from Chile to the Czech Republic, Thailand to Tunisia - to track down the world's most exciting new restaurants.  Hundreds of meals later, 105 made the cut.  And with tasting menus, tapas, and texture-bending molecular gastronomy, there's something for every palate.

Bistro de L'Hôtel, Beaune

International wine industry bigwigs are flooding this petite swank addition to the Beaune L'Hôtel. In warm months, it's a tough choice between the Monaco-chic canary-yellow dining room and the terrace with its white glove meets picnic ambience, but you can't go wrong with either. Chef-owner Johan Björklund brings a Swedish sensibility to Burgundy country standards: meaty chanterelle mushrooms, crisp petite rouget, and Bresse chicken carved tableside. The caramelized tarte Tatin is a must, but the real star is the wine list, with more than 500 labels at reasonable prices-the 1998 Geantet-Pansiot Vieilles Vignes Gevrey-Chambertin for $105 is a no-brainer (entrées, $25-$104).