L.A. Michelin Stars Announced Nov. 12
Friday, November 2, 2007 10:52
Los Angeles gets its very own Michelin Guide next week! Very soon we will be able to find out which of those restaurants we can’t afford are actually worth it (according to some French dudes). It will actually be very interesting to see how Los Angeles fares, since we’re not exactly an esteemed eating destination on the world stage, even though some of my very favorite restaurants and chefs are right here in this very city.
The big question will be - does any restaurant in LA get the coveted three star rating? Only one restaurant in the Bay Area (French Laundry) received that honor. There are some contenders, but it’s going to be tough to meet the standard. I am rooting for Providence, but it may not have had enough to time to build itself to that level yet.
The restaurants who received stars will be announced on Monday, Nov. 12 at noon. The list should be all over the LA food blogs at about 12:01.
That night, a reception will be held for the recipient chefs at Le Deux, which strikes me as slightly hilarious, since I don’t think you could have picked a better place to represent exactly why it’s taken so long for L.A. to even get a Michelin Guide. I hope that Mike “Boogie” Malin and his Dolce Group are not holding their breath in anticipation of any stars for themselves, because I just don’t see them forthcoming.
The book will be available starting Nov. 14, and the Barnes & Noble at the Grove will be hosting a panel that evening at 7 p.m. featuring Barbara Fairchild of Bon Appetit, Leslie Brenner of the Los Angeles Times, and Evan Kleiman, chef/owner of my beloved Angeli Caffe and host of KCRW’s Good Food.
The Michelin Guide Las Vegas also comes out later in the week for all you road trippers out there.
By KT (see more of her posts). You can find more of KT's writing at her own website Gastronomy 101.
Pauline says:
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:57 pm
I’m really looking forward to this. I’m starting to save my pennies now to visit the restaurants that will be listed!
sneakypeteiii says:
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:59 pm
According to Marco Pierre White, Michelin traditionally holds their banquet at a place that is due for a star “promotion” in the next Guide Michelin. Looks like Les Deux should get at least one star in that case.
KT says:
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I don’t know that that is the case here. Both the LA and Las Vegas debut parties are being held at places that are more nightclub than restaurant.
The Vegas debut reception is at a nightclub in the Wynn hotel, so I think they must be doing something different, or perhaps these debut parties are not the traditional banquet that MPW is speaking of, but is the more “public” debut.
I really would faint dead away if Les Deux were to get a Michelin star.
Jonah says:
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I will be sitting down with Jean-Luc Naret, the Director of the Michelin Guides, on the 12th. Anything specific that you would like me to ask him? By the time we talk, the ratings will have been released.
KT says:
November 3rd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Nothing specific for me, but I can’t wait to see what you guys talk about!
Wilson says:
November 6th, 2007 at 9:01 am
I’m trying to think of a few LA eateries even DESERVING of full michelin stars. I can’t think of any :O Even Patina is a tourist trap!
Jonah says:
November 6th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
It will be interesting to see who gets a star (or stars). How about Hatfield’s? Which did you consider Wilson?
KT says:
November 6th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I think Hatfield’s may not be at star level, but maybe in the Bib Gourmand category. I love the restaurant but think it may be a bit too casual for Michelin’s standards.
However, their former restaurant, Cortez, just got a star, so we’ll see …
I am curious to see how restaurants like Grace fare.
I expect the star winners will be fairly elite places, but am hoping for some places at my (upper limit) price level to make it in.
Jeff says:
November 6th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
NONE in the LA area are worth 3 Michelin stars…
wtf says:
November 7th, 2007 at 12:00 am
What the fuck are you talking about??? Hatfield’s in BIB GOURMAND??? That category is for restaurants where 2 people can eat a meal with wine for UNDER $40….That’s just more than ONE ENTREE costs at Hatfield’s.
Plus, the food is some of the best and most interesting in Los Angeles, so if anywhere is star-worthy, it’s Hatfield’s
Jonah says:
November 7th, 2007 at 8:12 am
From what I can tell, the Bib Gourmand rating is for a single, three course meal for under $40 not including wine. Still not really doable at Hatfield’s, but no need to get aggressive about it.
KT says:
November 7th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Well, Hatfield’s could go either way, based on the Bib Gourmand list for the Bay Area, pricewise. It may be a stretch, but I could see it.
Their daily market menu is $46. Looking at the restaurants on the Bib Gourmand list, you would have to order very carefully to have a three course meal for under $40. Most meals would realistically come in between $40-50 per person. There’s no way a couple could eat for under $40 with wine at those restaurants unless they only ordered appetizers.
On the other hand, at even the one-starred restaurants, you would be lucky to get away from them for under $100 per person, although Cortez does seem to have pricing similar to Hatfield’s and it received a star.
I really think that Hatfield’s could get a star. And I admit that it’s a bit over the price limit for Bib Gourmand, so I probably am wrong, but when I made the comment I was thinking more of the style and atmosphere of the restaurants of other Michelin lists and I didn’t go compare all the prices first.
Hanni M. says:
November 7th, 2007 at 10:12 am
I am excited about this. Growing up in Europe Michelin has been my bible since I was 9 years old. Here is my guess for LA:
***
-none
**
- The Dining Room (at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel & Spa)
- Melisse
- Patina
- Providence
*
(15 total among them)
- Spago
- Jar
- Cut
- Matsuhisa
- All’ Angelo
- Valentino
- Urasawa (maybe 2 - but Masa in NY has only two, therefore probably 1)
- The Restaurant at the Getty Center
- The Foundry on Melrose
- Water Grill
- Hamasaku
No Star
- Sona
- Osteria Mozza (too new)
wtf says:
November 9th, 2007 at 12:22 am
if Patina gets a star, then Michelin discredits itself upon arrival…
Hanni M. says:
November 9th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Here are the Michelin results for LA…
One Star (*):
Asanebo, Studio City
CUT, Beverly Hills
Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington (The), Pasadena
Joe’s, Venice
La Botte, Santa Monica
Matsuhisa, Beverly Hills
Mori Sushi, Los Angeles
Ortolan, Hollywood
Patina, Los Angeles
Providence, Hollywood
Saddle Peak Lodge, Calabasas
Sona, Hollywood
Trattoria Tre Venezie, Pasadena
Valentino, Santa Monica
Water Grill, Los Angeles
Two Stars (**)
Melisse, Santa Monica
Spago, Beverly Hills
Urasawa, Beverly Hills
Three Stars (***)
none
KT says:
November 13th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Ruh-roh! Discredited!