I have thought of this also, and to me, it also seems to mirror my experience. Perhaps it isn't French cuisine per se, but France. I do think the USA Michelin guide was probably thrown together in haste because of deadlines. Thus, I don't think it's as good of a good as France. Although I have limited experience of Michelin in europe outside of france, I would tend to think that it would also be similar: accurate ratings for french places, less so for non-french.