SYDNEY—Two Sydney restaurants have been named among the best in the world which is no surprise to a restaurant industry group.
Tetsuya's and Quay were both named in the S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants at a London ceremony on Monday, confirming something that Restaurant & Catering Australia says it has known for a while.
"This is not really that surprising," Restaurant & Catering Australia CEO John Hart said.
"We have the magic trifecta of the most creative restaurateurs, the best produce and of course the friendliest staff in the world."
Tetsuya's placed at number 17 on the list, while Peter Gilmore's harbourside Quay was a new entrant at number 46.
Quay spokeswoman Kylie Ball said the restaurant's place on the list was a because of the entire staff, not just acclaimed chef Peter Gilmore.
"It's a reflection of everyone's hard work and dedication as well," Ms Ball told AAP.
"Pete's a genius and he's so creative, but it's obviously the whole package."
Ms Ball said the award capped off a great year for Quay, recently named 2009 Restaurant of the Year by The Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Gourmet Traveller.
"It's probably the best (award) ... I know that Pete is just over the moon about it all," she said.
"This basically just tops off the year."
Ms Ball said the recent swag of prizes presented new challenges for the restaurant, which now expected more international visitors.
"I guess we're going to have a lot more international diners and European diners who have probably eaten at a lot of the top 50 restaurants in the world, so they are going to have quite high expectations," she said.
"There is a bit of pressure, but it's also a challenge because we want every dinner to walk away thinking they've just dined in the best restaurant in Australia."
Top of the list was El Bulli, an experimental restaurant north of Barcelona, while Gordon Ramsay's London restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, dropped out of the top 100 after coming 13th last year.
Tetsuya's has dropped eight places from number nine spot in 2008 and fifth place in 2007.
