Finished my travels for the year, and while I didn't make it to as many starred restaurants as I thought I would, I had a pretty good year. I've had enough beetroot, celeriac, purees, veloutes, compotes, and foam to last a lifetime. Here is how it shook out, Michelin wise:
3 3*s
6 2*s
7 1*s
2 (3 Fork and spoons)
3 (2 F&S)
2 (1 F&S)
1 (Non- Michelin but very special, nonetheless)
Best meal by far during the year: L'Arnsbourg, a 3* in Alsace. The Decouverte menu was nothing short of amazing.
Honorable mention: Osteria Fransecana in Modena, Italy and Auberge du Cheval Blanc in Lembach, France.
Best service: Helene Darroze at the Connaught. I simply can't say enough about what a great experience I had here.
Best sommelier: The incomparable Anja at The Ledbury.
Best a la carte dish: Scallops with cucumber ketchup at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
Best dish (runner up): rock barnacles at Os Moinhos in Portugal. I had never even heard of eating barnacles before. What a delicacy - tastes like the ocean
Honorable mention: the crispy pork belly at Petrus. As far as the food itself, that was probably my best meal in London.
My opinion after all this eating - London has numerous fine French restaurants, but Michelin starred haute cuisine, in France, is simply off the scale. My second opinion - it's time to hit the gym..