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The annual Michelin guide dished out its coveted stars this afternoon and plenty of New York restaurants were among the spangled selections, including triple-star fine-dining standbys like Eleven Madison Park, Per Se and Le Bernardin. But among the usual spangled suspects, the Michelin crew left room for some welcome newbies and a few shockers.
Surprises:
- Carlo Mirachi's previously one-star tasting-menu restaurant Blanca got a hefty boost, becoming the only Brooklyn eatery to nab two stars.
- Speaking of Brooklyn, the borough was well-represented across the board, with former Michelin virgins Delaware and Hudson, Take Root, Luksus and Pok Pok Ny among the new one-star players.
- The newly one-starred Casa Enrique becomes New York's only Mexican restaurant on the Michelin list (more on that later).
- After a 15-month-long closure due to Hurricane Sandy, River Cafe came back swinging and regained its star standing.
Snubs:
- The three-star line-up wasn't much of a shock for the inclusions as much as the glaring exclusion: As if Cornell got knocked out of the Ivy League, Daniel Boulud's celebrated namesake flagship was docked a star, from three to two.
- Boulud's wasn't the only restaurant to lose a star: Both Danji and Anissa also were stripped of their sparklers.
- Where is the excellent Sushi Nakazawa, one of the best reviewed restaurants of the past year? (Time Out gave it four stars.) And is Empellon Cocina becoming the Susan Lucci of Michelin-worthy Mexican restaurants?
- Though 2014 openings like Batard, Meadowsweet and the aforementioned Delaware and Hudson all grabbed spots, many high-profile openings of the year were snubbed, including Contra, Dover and Keith McNally's splashy Cherche Midi.
For more Michelin, check out the full list of 2015 NYC selections.