With unprecedented quiet, French tire company Michelin released the 2008 edition of its guide to New York City, listing a total of 565 restaurants (and another 54 hotels) that they feel worthy of attention. While in the states these guides, starting with the 2006 NYC Red Book, have had debatable impact, they do matter. For those international chefs cooking in New York, especially, getting even one of three stars is quite an achievement. Also, chefs have been brought up on the idea of getting Michelin stars, so for all there's the matter of pride at hand as well. And for the eater who follows such matters, it is interesting to note the changes year to year.
The biggest story of this year's book has to be that Tom Colicchio's Craft, the recipient of one star last year, has had its star stripped, leaving it with a no star listing in the guide. Also of note, Picholine and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay make their first appearances at the two star level. For Picholine this is an upgrade from one star; for Ramsay, this is his the debut listing for his NY restaurant. Having gotten the deuce, this restaurant, entirely panned by the New York media, is suddenly not a total disaster. Contrats, Gordo.
Other important notes: New comers at the one star level are Anthos, Blue Hill, Dressler, Gilt, JoJo and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which can't be happy with just a single star. One star restaurants that have been demoted: Craft, as mentioned, Fiamma, La Goulue, and Lever House.
The full list of starred venues:
Michelin Guide to New York City, 2008
One Star
Annisa
Anthos
Aureole
A Voce
Babbo
Blue Hill
Café Boulud
Café Gray
Country
Cru
Danube
Dévi
Dressler
Etats-Unis
Fleur de Sel
Gilt
Gotham Bar & Grill
Gramercy Tavern
Jewel Bako
JoJo
Kurumazushi
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Modern (The)
Oceana Manhattan
Perry Street
Peter Luger
Saul
Spotted Pig
Sushi of Gari
Veritas
Vong
Wallsé
wd~50
Two Stars
Bouley
Daniel
Del Posto
Gordon Ramsay at The London
Masa
Picholine
Three Stars
Jean Georges
Le Bernardin
Per Se
· Third Edition of the Michelin Guide to New York City Released [Michelin]
