The Best New Restaurants in America 2013

Restaurants editor Andrew Knowlton has discovered a dining scene that is being reinvented by a band of young chefs (33 is the average age on this list), and one that knows no creative or geographic boundaries. Meet the Hot 10 below.
(C) Michael Graydon1/111. Alma, Los Angeles
The story of how this unassuming, 39-seat restaurant in Los Angeles became the restaurant of the year is, to put it in sports terms, like that of a minor league baseball player who goes from batting .200 one year to hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth with two outs to win the World Series the next.
Bonjwing Lee2/112. Saison, San Francisco
Consider that a full-time staff of 24 crafts your 18 exquisite courses—which are made from maniacally sourced ingredients at their ultimate peak and served on museum-worthy plates and bowls—and the undoubtedly expensive price tag starts to sound like a bargain.

Photo Dominique Lafond4/114. Fat Rice, Chicago
The cuisine of Macau is having a moment in the Windy City thanks to this restaurant.
5/115. Ava Gene's, Portland, OR
At the trattoria-inspired Ava Gene's, the second restaurant from Stumptown Coffee Roasters founder and budding restaurateur Duane Sorenson, green-thumb cuisine becomes masterful.
6/116. The Pass & Provisions, Houston
This year's award for the most awe-inspiring dish goes to a first course served at The Pass, the white-tablecloth half of adjoining restaurants from chefs Terrence Gallivan and Seth Siegel-Gardner.
Gentl & Hyers ©20137/117. The Optimist, Atlanta
Named for a kid's sailing dinghy, The Optimist is the creation of Atlanta chef and managing partner Ford Fry, who clearly knows how to navigate a winner: It is without a doubt the best of a growing number of big-name fish houses that have opened this year.
©Peden+Munk8/118. Jeffrey's & Josephine House, Austin, TX
Details make the difference at the country's most stylish pair of restaurants.
We Are The Rhoads9/119. The Whale Wins & Joule, Seattle
The Whale Wins & Joule may not be related, but they do share much in common.

11/11This Is How Andrew Knowlton Picks the Best Restaurants of the Year
Bon Appétit's restaurant and drinks editor answer your Facebook questions about his Hot 10 Best New Restaurants of 2013.