Paris 2019 Michelin List: What's New in the Stars?
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Thursday, Mar 7th 2019
Paris 2019 Michelin Update: What’s New In the Stars?
Who were the winners and losers in the Paris 2019 Michelin update for Paris restaurants? This year, the food world’s most prestigious guide added 68 new tables to its pages, including 18 in Paris. With a nod to trends for the Parisian food scene; this is what the Michelin guide has in store.
New Trends are Getting Recognition
A few modern Parisian tables have earned their first star:
- The innovative cuisine of chef Iñaki Aizpitarte received a long-awaited Michelin star. The Basque native heads the kitchen at Le Chateaubriand. Her talent’s recognition has started a welcome trend.
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Grégory Marchand’s Frenchie is among Paris locals as the place to go for inventive, seasonal food. He has a noticeable presence in the 2nd arrondissement’s rue du Nil. The small area is home to his restaurant, wine bar, to go venture and wine cellar. And Marchand’s hard work is rewarded with his first star.
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Sardinian Chef Simone Tondo is the genius behind Racines. The Italian-influenced small plates restaurant is located in the picturesque 19th century Passage des Panoramas. A small, seasonal menu and a long list of natural wines has earned this spot its star.
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Chef Tomy Gousset’s eponymous Tomy & Co. is known for its modern approach. His use of color and freshness to bring out the best in his often offal-forward menu.
Climbing Through the Ranks, Stars Added
One Parisian restaurant was elevated from one to two stars. David Toutain’s La Scène at the Prince de Galles hotel is run by by Stéphanie Le Quellec.
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36-year-old Le Quellec has been chef at La Scène since 2013. With a chic decor, she highlights a Mediterranean sensibility with a modern flair.
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Le Quellec’s second star is also indicative of another trend. Women are climbing through the ranks of the male-dominated guide. Eleven women earned a star this year. One of the eleven is Julia Sedefdijan of Baieta. Chiho Kanski is another. She runs the Virtus’ kitchen alongside Marcelo di Giacomo.
Notable Lost Paris Michelin Stars (and Other Possible Disappointments)
The Paris 2019 Michelin Guide announcements are a time of celebration. But there are always a few disappointed parties.
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After twelve years at the top, Pascal Barbot’s Astrance lost its third star.
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Alain Dutournier’s Feuillants and David Bizet’s Taillevent lost their second star.
Several restaurants lost their only star:
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Le Restaurant
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Gaya
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And the infamous Jules Verne, atop the Eiffel Tower. Alain Ducasse, the French super-chef, ran it for ten years. Leaving its kitchen only after losing out to chefs, Frédéric Anton and Thierry Marx this summer.
Stars Worth Noting
While not in Paris, the odd situation of Chef Sébastien Bras deserves a note.
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Last year he refused a three star rating from the guide.
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He cited the pressures associated with a three star rating. In 2018 he continued to make innovative cuisine at his restaurant, Le Suquet in the Aubrac region.
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Despite no efforts to adhere to the guide’s rigorous standards, he still received two stars in 2019.
Some swear by the guide, others disregard it completely. The question that remains is: “How much does the Paris Michelin Update affect your choice for dining in Paris?” Let us know on Twitter, @FrWineExplorers or on Facebook, @FrenchWineExplorers. We’d love to hear from you!
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