Star Light, Star Bright

FrenchLaundry2014EBelow, I’ve listed all of the Michelin-starred restaurants I’ve visited from 2008 until now. A hobby. A passion. An obsession. Taking “will travel for good food” to a new level.

Since my visits, some restaurants have been dropped from the current guide or closed. Most have retained their ranking, and others have since moved up from one to two stars. To say this has been an ongoing adventure is to put it lightly. Each dinner has been a humbling learning experience. This journey has taught me about passion, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. These chefs have left it all on the line. I have the easy part; show up and reap the benefits of their blood, sweat, and tears.  The road to the stars is not easy. I haven’t loved them all. In fact, there are some I’ve downright hated! The common denominator among all these restaurants is clearly the highest level of service offered time and time again, even at those whose food I did not enjoy.

AS DEFINED BY THE MICHELIN GUIDE

1- One star indicates a very good restaurant in its category, offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard.

2- Denotes excellent cuisine, skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality.

3- Exceptional cuisine where diners eat extremely well, often superbly. Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients. Three Michelin stars is considered the utmost international recognition in the culinary world.

LISTED ALPHABETICALLY (last updated February 2023)

82 restaurants, 224 stars, and counting…

Acquerello San Francisco, CA 2015 **

Ai Fiori New York, NY 2016 *

Alinea Chicago, IL 2014*** Photos here, 2016 (Alinea Miami), 2018 ***, 2022***

All’Enoteca Canale, Italy 2022*

Ariete  Coconut Grove, FL 2022* (x4), 2023* (x4)

Atelier Crenn San Francisco, CA 2019 *** Review here

Atomix New York, NY 2019 *, 2022**

Auberge du Soleil Rutherford, CA 2012 *, 2014 *, 2015 *, 2017 * Photos, and mentions here , 2018 *

Aziza San Francisco, CA 2014 * (Now closed)

Blackbird Chicago, IL 2014 * (Now closed)

Blue Duck Tavern Washington, D.C. 2019 *

Boia De  Miami, FL 2022* (x2)

Borgo Santa Ana Monforte D’Alba, Italy 2022*

Bouchon Yountville, CA 2011 *, 2017 *

Bresca Washington, D.C. 2019 *, 2022*

Ca Vittoria Tigliole, Italy 2022*

Casa Mono New York, NY 2021*

Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare New York, NY 2018 ***, 2019***, 2021***

Chez Panisse Berkeley, CA 2009 *

Cote Miami, FL 2022*, 2023*

Cranes Washington, D.C. 2023*

Cut Beverly Hills, CA 2009 *

Da Vittorio Brusaporto, Italy 2022***

Eleven Madison Park New York, NY 2012 *** & 2016  Reviewed herehere, and here ***, 2019 ***

Ever Chicago, IL 2022**

Everest Chicago, IL 2010*

Fiola Washington, D.C. 2022*, 2023*

Fleur de Lys San Francisco, CA 2012 *  (Now closed)

Fre Monforte D’Alba, Italy 2022*

Gabriel Kreuther New York, NY 2021**

Gary Danko San Francisco, CA 2010 *, 2011 *, 2012 *, 2014 *, 2015 *

Graham Elliot Restaurant Chicago, IL 2012 *(Now closed)

Gramercy Tavern New York, NY 2013 *

Guido Ristorante Serralunga d’Alba, Italy 2022*

Imperfecto Washington, D.C. 2022*

Jean-Georges New York, NY 2016 *** and 2018 **

Jont Washington, D.C. 2022**, 2023**

Jungsik New York, NY 2018 **, 2022**

Kenzo Napa, CA 2021*

L’Atelier de Jöel Robuchon Miami, FL 2022** (x2)

La Toque Napa, CA 2017 *

Le Bernardin New York, NY 2012 Reviewed here ***

Le Calandre Rubano, Italy 2022***

Le Cirque Las Vegas, NV 2008 * (Michelin Guide has since been discontinued in this area)

Le Coucou New York City, NY 2018 *, 2019 *, 2022*

Los Felix Coconut Grove, FL 2022*

Manresa Los Gatos, CA 2021***

Marea New York, NY 2012 * and 2018 ** Reviewed here *, 2021*

Massimo Camia Ristorante La Morra, Italy *

Michael Mina San Francisco, CA 2012 *

Minibar Washington, D.C. 2019 **, 2023 **

Momofuku Ko New York, NY 2016 **

Nomad New York, NY 2015 * (Now closed)

Oriole Chicago, IL 2018 ** 2022**

Per Se New York, NY 2012*** and 2018*** Reviewed here and mentioned here ***, 2019 ***, 2021***

Pineapple & Pearls Washington D.C. 2019 **

Providence Los Angeles, CA 2009 **

Quince San Francisco, CA 2010 *, 2018 *** 

Reale Castel di Sangro, Italy*** 2022

Redd Yountville, CA 2012 * (Now closed)

Rezdora New York, NY 2022*

Roister Chicago, IL 2018 *, 2022

Saison San Francisco, CA 2015 ***

Sepia Chicago, IL 2018 *

SingleThread Healdsburg, CA, 2018 **, 2019 ***

Solbar Calistoga, CA 2017*

Stubborn Seed Miami Beach, FL 2022* (x3), 2023*

Spiaggia Chicago, IL 2018 *

Sushi Ginza New York, NY 2021*

Sushi Nakazawa Washington, D.C. 2019*, 2022*

Sushi Noz New York, NY 2019*, 2021*, 2023*

Terra Saint Helena, CA 2014* (Now closed)

The Den at Azabu Miami Beach, FL 2023*

The French Laundry Yountville, CA 2010 ***, 2013 ***, 2014 ***, 2017 ***, 2019 ***, 2020 *** Mentioned and photos here and here 

The Inn at Little Washington Washington, D.C. 2019 ***

The Modern New York, NY 2012*, 2016 **, 2019**  Reviewed here 

The Restaurant at Meadowood Saint Helena, CA 2013 ***(Now closed)

The Spotted Pig New York, NY 2013 * (Now closed)

The Surf Club Surfside, FL 2022* (x2), 2023*

21.9 Piobesi d’Alba, Italy 2022*

Xiquet Washington, D.C. 2022*