Michelin Stars

I am a huge fan of cooking shows, videos, and networks.  My husband and I were foodies before the phrase was popular and were always looking for new recipes and techniques based on our travels and experiences.  I remember living in Chicago and enjoying my first Michelin 2 star restaurant, Charlie Trotter’s.  It was about the service, the food and the atmosphere.  I had scallops and clams in a beautiful broth, a dry white wine and a cake with a rich sweet sorbet.  It was unique and delicious.  I sigh every time I think of that meal.  The other restaurant that still makes me sigh is the Jules Verne located in the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  We had our wedding celebration there and I remember understanding very little of the descriptions but thinking of the delights that would be served.  It was a 5 course tasting lunch complete with a foie gras, a consommé, and seafood and each course was paired with a specific wine.  At that time (1994) it cost us $350 and was worth every penny.  It was leisurely, decadent and the views of Paris made the experience even more extraordinary.

These memories made me think of the coveted rating, what it means, and the history.  The French tire company, Michelin, began printing free guides to support its tire business in 1900.  The guide included information about “maps, tyre repair and replacement instructions, car mechanics listings, hotels, and petrol stations throughout France” (wikipedia).  In 1922, they began to charge for the guide in order to make people feel that there was more value to the book.  Michelin also began to add hotels and removed advertisements.  In 1926, the stars awards were implemented and they began to send anonymous inspectors to review the restaurant to ensure the quality of the locations that Michelin was promoting.  It wasn’t until 2005 that Michelin printed a guide in the US and specifically for New York’s 5 boroughs.  The only cities that have Michelin rated restaurants are in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA and San Francisco, where Michelin prints guides.  In 2020, Michelin implemented green stars for excellence in sustainable gastronomy.  The star ratings are as follows:

• *: “A very good restaurant in its category” (Une très bonne table dans sa catégorie)
• **: “Excellent cooking, worth a detour” (Table excellente, mérite un détour)
• ***: “Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey” (Une des meilleures tables, vaut le voyage).

It is still an exclusive honor that is sought after by chefs and restaurants.  The rating is about service, innovation, quality, ingredients, being unique and bold, and defining an extraordinary experience for their customer.  It is worth making a trip to one of these stellar restaurants, even if it just once.  Some of these restaurants have an a la carte menu along with brunch and lunch menus which offer a less expensive approach to dining at a Michelin rated restaurant.  Enjoy!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide

 

The full list of 2021 starred selections for Chicago
(https://chicago.eater.com/2021/4/29/22399621/michelin-restaurants-chicago-stars-2021)
*(new for 2021)

Three stars
Alinea

Two stars
Acadia
Ever
Moody Tongue*
Oriole
Smyth

One star
Boka
EL Ideas
Elizabeth
Elske
Entente
Goosefoot
Mako
Next
North Pond
Omakase Yume
Parachute
Porto*
Schwa
Sepia
Spiaggia
Temporis
Topolobampo
Yugen

 

The full list of 2021 starred selections for L.A.
(https://mlangeleno.com/michelin-star-restaurants-los-angeles)

Two stars
n/naka – Japanese, Contemporary

One star
Kato – Asian, Taiwanese
Shunji – Japanese, Sushi
Mori Sushi – Japanese, Sushi
Le Comptroir – Californian, Vegetarian
Q Sushi – Japanese, Sushi
Shibumi – Japanese, Asian and Western
Hayato – Japanese, Seafood
Orsa & Winston – Contemporary, Asian
Osteria Mozza – Italia
Rustic Canyon – Contemporary, American

 

The full list of 2021 starred selections for New York City and Westchester (https://ny.eater.com/2021/5/6/22422661/michelin-restaurants-nyc-stars-2021)

Three stars
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare
Eleven Madison Park
Le Bernardin
Masa
Per Se

Two stars
Aquavit
Aska
Atera
Atomix
Blanca
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Daniel
Gabriel Kreuther
Ichimura at Uchū
Jean-Georges
Jungsik
Momofuku Ko
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
The Modern

One star
Ai Fiori
Bâtard
Benno
Blue Hill
Carbone
Casa Enrique
Casa Mono
Caviar Russe
Claro
The Clocktower
Contra
Cote
Crown Shy
Don Angie (New)
Estela
Four Horsemen
Francie (New)
Gramercy Tavern
Hirohisa
Jeju Noodle Bar
Jua (New)
Kajitsu
Kanoyama
Kochi (New)
Kosaka
L’Appart
Le Coucou
Le Jardinier
Marea
Meadowsweet
The Musket Room
Noda
Odo
Oxalis
Oxomoco
Peter Luger
Rezdôra (New)
The River Café
Sushi Amane
Sushi Ginza Onodera
Sushi Nakazawa
Sushi Noz
Sushi Yasuda
Tempura Matsui
Tsukimi (New)
Tuome
Vestry (New)
Wallsé
ZZ’s Clam Bar

 

The full list of 2021 starred selections for San Francisco (https://sanfran.com/michelin-star-restaurants-san-francisco)

Three stars
Quince – Contemporary, Californian
Benu – Contemporary, Asian
Atelier Crenn – Contemporary, French

Two stars
Coi – Contemporary, Californian
Campton Place – Indian, Contemporary
Saison – Californian, Contemporary
Lazy Bear – Contemporary, Modern Cuisine
Acquerello – Italian, Contemporary
Californios – Mexican, Contemporary

One star
Angler SF – Contemporary, Seafood
Michael Mina – Contemporary, Middle Eastern
In Situ – International, Contemporary
Gary Danko – Contemporary
Luce – Contemporary
Kin Khao – Thai, Californian
Birdsong – American, Contemporary
Omakase – Japanese, Sushi
Rich Table – Contemporary, Californian
SPQR – Italian, Contemporary
The Progress – Californian
State Bird Provisions – Californian
Octavia – Californian
Bar Crenn – French, Classic French
Hashiri – Japanese, Sushi
Lord Stanlet – Contemporary
Sons & Daughters – Contemporary
Keiko à Nob Hill – Japanese, French
Mourad – Moroccan, Contemporary
Mister Jiu’s – Chinese, Contemporary
Sorrel – Californian, Italian
Jū-Ni – Japanese, Sushi
Spruce – Californian, Contemporary
Al’s Place – Californian, Contemporary
Wako – Japanese, Sushi 

 

The full list of 2021 starred selections for Washington D.C. (https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/04/22/here-are-the-2021-michelin-star-restaurants-for-dc/)

Three stars
The Inn at Little Washington

Two stars
Jônt (NEW)
Minibar
Pineapple and Pearls

One star
Bresca
Cranes (NEW)
The Dabney
El Cielo (NEW)
Fiola
Gravitas
Kinship
Komi
Little Pearl
Masseria
Maydan
Metier
Plume
Rooster & Owl (NEW)
Rose’s Luxury
Sushi Nakazawa
Sushi Taro
Tail Up Goat
Xiquet (NEW)