Michelin manufactures tires. And also rates hotels and restaurants. How does that fit together? Simply put, 100 years ago, two brothers decided to create a gastronomic guide for France — so that people had somewhere to eat during their road trips.
Over the years, the guide has come to cover most countries around the world, including the USA. Let's talk about some of the best restaurants in this country. What is a Michelin Restaurant?
What is a Michelin-starred restaurant
There exists a guidebook – the red Michelin Guide. It compiles the best hotels and restaurants. In a world where every corner promises a new culinary discovery, a legend was born, becoming a compass for gourmets and a guiding star for chefs. The Michelin rating's story began back in 1900 in France, when the Michelin brothers, Édouard and André, decided to boost the demand for cars and, consequently, for automobile tires by publishing a guide for drivers. It included information on filling stations, hotels, and repair shops. Over time, it evolved into a directory for those seeking not just a place to grab a bite but culinary magnificence and delightful tastes.
The Michelin rating, awarding one to three stars, has become a symbol of impeccable quality, innovation, and craftsmanship.
- 1 star — simply a good restaurant that will not disappoint.
- 2 stars — an outstanding establishment that will surprise.
- 3 stars — an incredible creation of the gods, you won't taste better food in your life.
This rating has transformed from a simple road guide in France into an international standard of culinary mastery. Every star a restaurant receives is the quintessence of the team's effort, the chef's talent, and his ability to make ingredients speak, creating dishes that inspire and delight.
The story of the Michelin rating is a tale of striving for perfection, food culture, and love for the art of cooking, interwoven with decades of innovation and tradition.
Types of Menus in Michelin Restaurants
In gastronomic restaurants, which are the majority in the guide, menus are divided into two types:
- 01. Permanent — forms the foundation of every restaurant, its culinary face, presenting a collection of time-tested dishes. These dishes reflect the style and soul of the establishment, its culinary traditions, and innovations.
- 02. Thematic sets — dishes selected by the chef, served one after another. This is an opportunity for the chef to showcase creativity and experiment with ingredients, cooking techniques, and presentation. Such menus may be dedicated to a particular season, holiday, culture, or even a historical period.
Together, permanent and thematic sets create a harmonious blend of stability and novelty, allowing guests to enjoy both familiar flavors and discover something new with each visit. They demonstrate not only the culinary skills and creativity of the team but also their ability to respond to changing tastes and preferences of guests, making every visit to the restaurant an unforgettable culinary adventure. Sets are cheaper than ordering each dish separately, but the portions are smaller — so you can fit more into your stomach.
Why Michelin inspectors award stars is a mystery — they're not allowed to discuss their work. But no one denies that at the forefront are not the ambiance but the dishes themselves. This is proven by a street stall in Singapore that received a star. But that's Singapore. So, where to go in America?
Top 10 Michelin Restaurants in the USA
Continuing the theme of food and restaurants! We aim higher — restaurants across America. And not just good ones, but the best of the best. In compiling the list, we didn't assign any ratings or rankings, didn't determine the best or worst restaurant. This information is just for your acquaintance.
Eleven Madison Park
Manhattan, New York
A legendary establishment under the direction of restaurateur Danny Meyer, who also oversees Union Square and Gramercy Tavern complexes. Here, they serve only sets, mainly consisting of American cuisine. There's a bar with a wide selection of cocktails. The second floor houses a dining hall overlooking Madison Park.
You can have breakfast for $60, lunch for $120, and for gourmets, there's a tasting menu of 8 dishes for $195. Every guest receives a small gift from the restaurant.
Masa
Manhattan, New York
The most expensive restaurant in America, famous for its Japanese cuisine dishes. Chef Masa Takayama pays special attention to the selection of ingredients - each component must complement the others.
There's no regular menu — the chef likes to experiment and constantly changes the composition of dishes. So, there's only a tasting menu available — it costs $500 per person. The dining room accommodates 26 guests, so make sure to reserve several months in advance.
Per Se
Manhattan, New York
The menu changes daily and offers an assortment of dishes from various cuisines: from French to Italian. Portions are very small — no more than 20 grams, but there are 12 of them. There's a separate menu for vegetarians. The average check is $310.
Service is swift — an attendant for each guest. The venue is small, so book your table in advance. If you're organizing a banquet, the chef will help you create your own menu.
Alinea
Chicago, Illinois
A descendant of a family of chefs, Grant Achatz is known for his unique approach to modern cuisine. The presentation of dishes is eccentric — the local plates will surprise you with their shape and texture.
You can't reserve a table in the usual sense — you have to buy a ticket for the menu. It comes in two types: a short one with 13 dishes and a long one with 24. There are versions for vegetarians. The average check is $250 per person. When looking for the restaurant, pay close attention — it's unassuming, hidden behind a regular gray metal door.
The French Laundry
Yountville, California
The restaurant is located where a former laundry used to be — hence the name. Chef Thomas Keller is a proponent of organic cuisine, without the use of chemicals, feed, and fertilizers. Vegetables for the dishes are grown on-site, and the quality of meat is monitored from the moment of the calf's birth.
They offer two menus of 9 dishes: from the chef and a vegetable one. The composition of dishes changes daily, but there are also permanent dishes. You'll have to shell out $295. Tips are not necessary — they're already included in the bill.
Benu
San Francisco, California
Relatively a new establishment — opened in 2010. And so far, the last in the US to receive 3 Michelin stars. The restaurant consists of a dining hall and an adjoining terrace. They mainly serve Japanese cuisine here: cheese noodles, dace, anchovies.
The average check amount is quite lenient — from $75 to $150. A couple of months before the visit, you'll need to not only reserve a table but also coordinate the menu — dishes are prepared for several hours, and no one wants to wait that long.
The Restaurant at Meadowood
St. Helena, California
A restaurant next to the eponymous hotel in the Napa vineyard valley. The surrounding area is picturesque: dense gardens, spa, tennis courts, and golf courses.
Everything is overseen by Chef Christopher Kostow. He adheres to the principle "everyone has the right to decide what the dish will consist of." Client preferences are considered when booking, creating their own menu. The tasting menu includes 10 dishes. It'll cost $200 per guest. Products are supplied by verified suppliers and local farmers. The wine list consists of beverages from local vineyards and European wines.
Le Bernardin
Manhattan, New York
Eric Ripert is a master at preparing dishes from seafood. This is recognized by restaurant critics, and on the TripAdvisor travel portal, the restaurant occupies leading positions.
The menu combines American and French traditions. Lunch includes 3 dishes for $135 per person. Author's cuisine is presented in a tasting menu, this pleasure costs $200. Wines are charged separately. Better not show up in shorts and a t-shirt — a dress code is enforced, formal wear only. But you only need to book a few days in advance, not months.
Coi
San Francisco, California
A diner with three stars! Is that even legal? Entry is ticket-based — like some theater. The price for attendance ranges from $145 to $195. This includes a menu of 12 dishes — you can order even all of them. Alcoholic beverages are purchased separately and only at night.
This system is due to the fact that restaurateur Daniel Patterson dislikes when chefs have to prepare dishes "on the fly" — let's say, 100 people book a table, but only 50 show up. How does that work? So, they set up exactly as many tables as tickets sold. So consider this a company cafeteria, where the number of tables equals the number of employees.
They focus on poultry and fish dishes, desserts. There's a rich selection of wines. The average check is $275.
Manresa
Los Gatos, California
The restaurant is named after a town in Catalonia, known for its medieval monasteries and Gothic architecture. Chef David Kinch cares about the quality of vegetables, fruits, and grains, so he orders them from farmsteads. He carefully selects herbs and spices that harmonize with the main dish. Ingredients are used immediately after their harvest. That's why the menu constantly changes and depends on the season. Dishes absorb the culinary experience of different countries and eras. Don't be alarmed by strange combinations: mussel puree, radish chips, or herring ice cream. This is molecular cuisine, and yes, it's also present here.
Waiters are unobtrusive, willing to help with the proper consumption of food and tell about the history of the dish and its preparation. The average check is $275.
Already hungry? Then the travel agency American Butler will help you book a table at any of these restaurants. And not just these, but any in the USA!
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