Nothing starts an argument quicker than subjective objectivity.

The 2006 list of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” has been released.

Ferran Adria’s gastronomic science institute, El Bulli, tops the list. El Bulli charged at, and knocked the quack out of last year’s winner, Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck

North America clocks in at #4 with Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, rounded out by Keller’s Per Se at #8, Jean George’s at #16, Chez Panisse #20, Charlie Trotter’s at #26, Le Bernadin #32, and Gramercy Tavern at #45.

Surprising not to see Grant Achatz’s Alinea making a run at the top 50, but young upstarts don’t make any appearances on this list. It could also be the fact that the North American committee was headed by John Mariani, who previously wrote off Alinea in his best new restaurants article for Esquire. Then again, Charlie Trotter was on the North American committee too and he only garnered #26.