Consolidated "Michelin Restaurants" thread
Apr 27, 2025 | 9:32 am
#2221
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Redondo Beach, Ca
Posts: 34,903
A phenomenal meal at Maz (currently 2* but worth 3 in my view) in Tokyo. This was the best meal of our trip to Japan. A bold mix of Peruvian and Japanese with truly innovative and tasty dishes. Both the wine list and the non-alcoholic options are fabulous. Our Dutch waiter was the perfect blend of approachable, polite and knowledgeable. Highly recommended. I would rate this 97/100 (partly because the dining room is not particularly attractive).
A couple of datapoints: we had dinner at Sojiki Nakahigashi (2*), a traditional restaurant in Kyoto (we had a local friend make a reservaton for us), which was interesting for its wide variety of mountain herbs, but overall somewhat disappointing. I would rate it 91/100.
We also had a traditional kaiseki meal at Asaba ryokan, served in our room of course. This was very good and in some ways better than Sojiki (91/100).
Photos below from Maz.
The white and blue in the bowl was an edible concoction you mix in with the other ingredients.
Turtle (farmed).
A couple of datapoints: we had dinner at Sojiki Nakahigashi (2*), a traditional restaurant in Kyoto (we had a local friend make a reservaton for us), which was interesting for its wide variety of mountain herbs, but overall somewhat disappointing. I would rate it 91/100.
We also had a traditional kaiseki meal at Asaba ryokan, served in our room of course. This was very good and in some ways better than Sojiki (91/100).
Photos below from Maz.
The white and blue in the bowl was an edible concoction you mix in with the other ingredients.
Turtle (farmed).
Apr 28, 2025 | 3:53 am
#2222
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: here and there
Programs: some
Posts: 3,474
corky I'll see if I can find the printed menu they gave us and upload it.
(Two more data points from Bangkok (neither Michelin but very good nonetheless):
Jhol (Indian) - excellent food, beautiful presentation. Really enjoyed this (another great Indian restaurant nearby is Jharoka).
Soma - a new (Feb) high-end Thai restaurant. Excellent and with great service.)
(Two more data points from Bangkok (neither Michelin but very good nonetheless):
Jhol (Indian) - excellent food, beautiful presentation. Really enjoyed this (another great Indian restaurant nearby is Jharoka).
Soma - a new (Feb) high-end Thai restaurant. Excellent and with great service.)
May 21, 2025 | 9:54 pm
#2223
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 318
Finnjavel Salonki 
Helsinki, Finland
Very playful restaurant (notice the custom cutlery). The name comes from a derogatory meaning "Finnish devil" that was used in Sweden. They do a refined take on old-school Finnish foods, literally -- some dishes are inspired by school cafeteria food from the 50s. Some dishes, like sweetbreads, are an acquired taste, but the brown bread was an absolute knockout
.
Helsinki, FinlandVery playful restaurant (notice the custom cutlery). The name comes from a derogatory meaning "Finnish devil" that was used in Sweden. They do a refined take on old-school Finnish foods, literally -- some dishes are inspired by school cafeteria food from the 50s. Some dishes, like sweetbreads, are an acquired taste, but the brown bread was an absolute knockout
.
May 22, 2025 | 11:52 am
#2224
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,771
We are going to Le Bernardin tomorrow. We never went when we lived in NYC, and apparently Mr Gfunk always wanted to. I have decided that I'm over fancy restaurants, but it'll be fun to check it out.
May 27, 2025 | 10:22 am
#2225
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,731
With lots of other options in NYC, I'm not sure I would go back. But let us know how the meal goes.
Oct 7, 2025 | 3:19 pm
#2226
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 50
The Ritz in London is the best French food in London. It was 1 star for a long time but recently couple years ago was bumped to 2. In the states it would be 3 without a doubt. There aren't outside of France a lot of palace hotels left and the food they can produce is unparalleled.
Oct 21, 2025 | 3:25 am
#2227
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,651
The Ritz in London is the best French food in London. It was 1 star for a long time but recently couple years ago was bumped to 2. In the states it would be 3 without a doubt. There aren't outside of France a lot of palace hotels left and the food they can produce is unparalleled.
Oct 25, 2025 | 1:31 pm
#2228
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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I beg to disagree with every statement here. There are much better French food restaurants in London. The food at the Ritz is underwhelming, relying on the pseudo-swanky surroundings to make an impression. Certainly not worth three stars, The food produced by "palace" hotels is generally mediocre. YMMV
Oct 26, 2025 | 4:46 am
#2229
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 4,122
Yes, Ritz restaurant is fine, particularly for those who enjoy a little tableside food prep theatre, and the terrace is nice in the summer. Dinner dances are fun. But it's certainly not in the league of the best French restaurants in London!
Normal everyday lounge suit and tie are perfectly adequate. Love the strict dress code!
Normal everyday lounge suit and tie are perfectly adequate. Love the strict dress code!
Oct 31, 2025 | 3:53 am
#2230
Join Date: Apr 2025
Location: LHR
Posts: 17
Nov 1, 2025 | 11:42 am
#2231
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
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Posts: 13,105
Nov 12, 2025 | 10:53 am
#2232
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,720
On a recent trip to London, after lunch at the Wolseley, I took my teenage daughter to the Ritz just to show her the dining room, which I genuinely think is the most beautiful in London. I was not wearing tie, but did have a jacket (I think). The maitre'd was charming and welcomed us into the dining room, and was not snobby at all, which was appreciated. I think it helped that my daughter is very charming in turn!
I've never actually dined there, so can't comment on the food, but I think it's fine that some "old school" institutions exist: it's the minority++ of places, and it's good to have diversity. Dining isn't just about the food (or the abhorrent insta-bait presentation that has overtaken restaurants).
tb
I've never actually dined there, so can't comment on the food, but I think it's fine that some "old school" institutions exist: it's the minority++ of places, and it's good to have diversity. Dining isn't just about the food (or the abhorrent insta-bait presentation that has overtaken restaurants).
tb
Dec 16, 2025 | 1:46 pm
#2233
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,936
Not that anyone is likely to go to a small country town in Austria but Lieperts (*) in Leutschach am Weinstrasse (SW of Graz, close to Slovenia) is a stellar experience.
Small restaurant of 4-6 tables. Menu (only offered in the evenings, 4-5x a week so the crew is always fresh) is a minimum of 5 course with 6th being seafood and 7th being a cheese course. Wine pairing is by an aficionado (calling him a sommellier will be in injustice as he personally owns some of the wines) who describes with great enthusiasm. All wines from the local area.
The chef, Mario Liepert, personally comes out and serves the amuse bouches, albeit in German only. (One of) his assistants does the same for the courses, though his level of English may not provide a full description.
Menu is provided at the end.
(photos to come)
Small restaurant of 4-6 tables. Menu (only offered in the evenings, 4-5x a week so the crew is always fresh) is a minimum of 5 course with 6th being seafood and 7th being a cheese course. Wine pairing is by an aficionado (calling him a sommellier will be in injustice as he personally owns some of the wines) who describes with great enthusiasm. All wines from the local area.
The chef, Mario Liepert, personally comes out and serves the amuse bouches, albeit in German only. (One of) his assistants does the same for the courses, though his level of English may not provide a full description.
Menu is provided at the end.
(photos to come)
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Jan 8, 2026 at 5:42 pm Reason: Fleshing out
Dec 17, 2025 | 2:42 pm
#2234
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: DL Plat, National EE, Hertz PC, IHG PL, Bonvoy Tit
Posts: 1,551
My cheesesteak from Angelo's in Philadelphia, which was recently awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand.
It was the best cheesesteak I've had in my life... highly recommended.
It was the best cheesesteak I've had in my life... highly recommended.
Dec 17, 2025 | 7:50 pm
#2235
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Should also mention Die Weinbank (*) in Ehrenhausen on the east side of the Suedsteiermark weinstrasse. Only dined in the wirthaus annd not the Michelin * restaurant (perhaps indistinguishable as the space apparently floats according to demand). Very good food and the chef didn't go on a rampage.
Last edited by YVR Cockroach; Dec 17, 2025 at 7:58 pm