Blue Hill at Stone Barns – Pocantico Hills, NY

Located 20 miles north of New York City, Blue Hills at Stone Barns sits on 80 acres of Rockefeller land (it’s financed by David Rockefeller to the tune of $30 million with a mission to “reconnect people to what they eat”), and boasts not just a restaurant and cafe, but an “education center,” a 22,000-square-foot greenhouse and its own farm, complete with livestock. Not everything in chef Dan Barber’s kitchen comes from the gorgeous surroundings: The team makes exceptions when it’s needed, such as Alaskan salmon. Dotry the pâte, made from the livers of their farm-raised chicken. The cocktails are similarly inspired, such as the purple-basil mojito and wild ramp martini. Avoid this restaurant if you crave sauces and elaborate creams, as the emphasis is on the simplicity of the ingredients, which are often poached or braised. (There’s also a sister restaurant, Blue Hill, located in New York City.)

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