Consolidated "Michelin Restaurants" thread
#901
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,900
Chicago guide now out. I was right about Smyth being promoted to 2 stars, but wrong about Oriole getting promoted to 3--it stayed at 2 (as did Acadia and Sixteen). Grace and Alinea kept their 3 stars. Other changes were Longman & Eagle was demoted from 1 star to Bib Gourmand, and there are two new star entries: Elske, and Entente.
#902
BG is not really an Award, it´s only about value
#903
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
It's definitely an award. It recognizes the restaurants Michelin believes offer the best quality cooking/ingredients below a certain price ($40 for 2 courses plus a glass of wine or dessert, excluding tax and service). Think of the hundreds or thousands of restaurants in the cities Michelin reviews where you can dine for that amount but that are not recognized. Bib does mean something.
#904
It's an award, usually announced before the stars are announced, it's about quality and good value = Bib Gourmand, while starred restaurants are usually judged more intense [quality, setting, presentation, atmosphere etc.] and these are more expensive, while Bib Gourmand awarded restaurants assure guests of good quality, value and accessibility.
At Pichet in Dublin, Ireland during a lunch visit we noticed that they display their Bib Gourmand award. This award is given each year to restaurants which meet the criterias of value + quality. They can get awarded or deleted by Michelin, the same as with their */**/*** star ratings.
Please see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide
Cheers & Safe Travels. ^
At Pichet in Dublin, Ireland during a lunch visit we noticed that they display their Bib Gourmand award. This award is given each year to restaurants which meet the criterias of value + quality. They can get awarded or deleted by Michelin, the same as with their */**/*** star ratings.
Since 1955, the guide has also highlighted restaurants offering "exceptionally good food at moderate prices," a feature now called "Bib Gourmand". They must offer menu items priced below a maximum determined by local economic standards. Bib (Bibendum) is the company's nickname for the Michelin Man, its corporate logo for over a century.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelin_Guide
Cheers & Safe Travels. ^
Last edited by uggboy; Oct 25, 2017 at 10:41 am Reason: Clarity and added some details which might be of interest
#905
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,599
#906
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,994
#907
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
The last 3* I had that I feel was 3* worthy was Eleven Madison Park.
#908
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,599
They are making menus to a style that give the M folks arousal in their tingly parts. "We" did the same thing with some of our finest grapes to do the same for Mr. Parker for way too long.
#909
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 794
#910
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Exciting! I've been to SF a few times but before I started following Michelin. I look forward to your thoughts on Benu and Crenn. The latter has been angling for 3 stars for years.
#911
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: NYC
Posts: 427
I ate at Crenn about 3 years ago (maybe things have changed). I thought the service and presentation were all on point. The food was very good, but I didn't think it was 3-star worthy; personally I thought maybe they focused a bit too much on making things look cool. Overall the restaurant kinda reminded me of Atera and Belcanto, and if both of these places are 2 stars, then Crenn surely is not a step above.
I would love to try Benu as well next time I'm in SF. I've heard very good things about it!
I would love to try Benu as well next time I'm in SF. I've heard very good things about it!
#912
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
Programs: UA plat, , aa plat, marriott LT titanium
Posts: 4,833
I ate at Crenn about 3 years ago (maybe things have changed). I thought the service and presentation were all on point. The food was very good, but I didn't think it was 3-star worthy; personally I thought maybe they focused a bit too much on making things look cool. Overall the restaurant kinda reminded me of Atera and Belcanto, and if both of these places are 2 stars, then Crenn surely is not a step above.
I would love to try Benu as well next time I'm in SF. I've heard very good things about it!
I would love to try Benu as well next time I'm in SF. I've heard very good things about it!
#913
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,022
I guess it goes to the subjective component of any type evaluation of this sort, especially when the restaurant refuses to be rated. I haven't been to 11 Madison for years but I remember when the San Pellagrino ratings came out saying that I didn't even think 11 Madison was the best restaurant in that building, much less the city. Although the other restaurant in that building closed and I'm sure 11 Madison has morphed more than once since then.
A personal suggestion, skip the Michelin Guide for at least one night and go to Chez Panisse.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Oct 26, 2017 at 4:52 pm Reason: merge
#914
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
And I think what may be the best, certainly the most pioneering, restaurant in the Bay area never gets rated at all. Some of my other personal favorites are also completely missing.
I guess it goes to the subjective component of any type evaluation of this sort, especially when the restaurant refuses to be rated. I haven't been to 11 Madison for years but I remember when the San Pellagrino ratings came out saying that I didn't even think 11 Madison was the best restaurant in that building, much less the city. Although the other restaurant in that building closed and I'm sure 11 Madison has morphed more than once since then.
I guess it goes to the subjective component of any type evaluation of this sort, especially when the restaurant refuses to be rated. I haven't been to 11 Madison for years but I remember when the San Pellagrino ratings came out saying that I didn't even think 11 Madison was the best restaurant in that building, much less the city. Although the other restaurant in that building closed and I'm sure 11 Madison has morphed more than once since then.
#915
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: 6,213
Quince and Benu were pretty much tied for top place in our minds for overall food and service. I might give the wine list at Quince the edge and the flavour profiles at Benu were more interesting, but both were right up there. Benu has evolved over the years but not so much that they've strayed far from their original appeal. Well worth a visit.