I am also surprised about the Daniel Boulud Brasserie. I have eaten there twice, and it is a very fine place, but it did not seem anywhere near the quality of any other Michelin starred place I have been. I mean, would the place be starred if it were located in France? I doubt it.

In terms of the rest of the list: Picasso is a personal favorite, although I don't think their tasting menu has enough courses, and I would have agreed with 2 stars a few years ago but now it seems more like a solid 1.

I liked the food at Aureole very much, the service was a little bit amateurish. However, supposedly Michelin is only looking at the food when awarding stars so OK, this is a 1 star.

Le Cirque: I love this place, it is unapolagetically French and certainly the type of place that Michelin tends to look favorably on. I have had some amazing wine pairings there, and their foie gras is superb. Surprised it is not 2 stars.

Mix: Outstanding food in my opinion, a very refined menu. The room just does not fit what they are trying to do on the plate, it is way, way too loud and lacks refinement. For the lounge scene it is spectacular, but for me it does not work as a restuarant in spite of the great menu, service and food. Again, 1 star is about right if they are just looking at the food...obviously the Michelin people are aware that this place is affiliated with Alain Ducasse and this may well have tipped the scales in favor of a star.

I miss going to Renoir at the Mirage, certainly that would have been 1-2 stars if it were still open. (Alex Stratta has moved on to the Wynn and has 2 stars there.)

Will be trying Atelier of Joel Robuchon later this month.