Michelin Stars originally appeared as part of a guide for motorists. This guide was published by Michelin, a manufacturer of automobile tires. It contained information about road routes and places where travelers could stop and have a delicious meal.
Over time, the guidebook became an integral part of the world’s gastronomic culture. The function of a road guide has been relegated to the background, and the restaurant component has gained new importance.
The Michelin Guide today is the main source of information about the best restaurants in the world, and receiving a Michelin star has become the highest honor for any restaurateur.
What do they give stars for?
A mention of a restaurantin the guidebook is already an indication of the high quality of its cuisine.
If a restaurant has one MICHLEN star – a high honor indicating excellent quality cuisine.
Two stars are dishes that can be viewed as works of art.
Three stars – exceptional cuisine created by geniuses of their craft, most often great chefs.
Stars are awarded annually, and very sparingly. Over the course of a year, anonymous experts visit restaurants, evaluating only the cuisine. Such parameters as interior, service or price do not play a decisive role. Therefore, the main face of the establishment becomes the chef, whose skill depends on receiving the prestigious award. In Paris, more than 70 restaurants have Michelin stars, which makes it one of the leaders in the world gastronomy. By comparison, only two restaurants in Prague have Michelin stars.
In Paris you will find restaurants with three stars, where lunch or dinner will be a pleasure not only for your taste buds, but also for all the senses that a person has. But such pleasure costs a lot of money: the cost of a dinner starts from 250 euros, and sometimes even more.
Michelin Restaurant Guide
For French restaurants, the award is still very prestigious.This is evidenced by the fact that this year’s stars were awarded at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was presided over by the Minister himself, Laurent Fabius. In France, it’s well known that Michelin guide is a great way to increase the attendance of an establishment. If a restaurant has at least one star, it is a great recommendation for visitors to come here. When the reward is received, it will be immediately reflected in increased attendance and tables will become full for many weeks to come.
WHY THIS GUIDE HAS BECOME THE BENCHMARK FOR RESTAURANT CLASSIFICATION IN THE WORLD
At the beginning of the automotive era, Michelin, the tire company, created a restaurant guide. Over the years, thanks to its high standards and very strict anonymous testers, Michelin stars have become very prestigious. Michelin stars are incredibly coveted. Receiving just one can change a chef’s life; losing one, however, can also change everything. A French chef, fearing only rumors that he might lose his third star, committed suicide. That’s what a star means to chefs.
The following restaurants in Paris have been awarded three Michelin stars:
Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée. This is probably one of the most exquisite restaurants in Paris. There is a uniquely beautiful chandelier decorated with ten thousand crystals. The restaurant is located near the Alma-Marceau metro station.
L’Arpège – You can spend no more than 40 euros per person at this restaurant . You can find it near the Varenne metro station.
Le Meurice – An establishment with Louis XIV decorations and mosaic flooring. The entire hotel is decorated in historical style, with a spa and terrace with a magnificent view of Paris, a short walk from the Tuileries stop.
Hotel Le Bristol -. It is located next to boutiques such as Christian Lacroix, Azzaro, Salvatore Ferragamo, Givenchy and Dolce & Gabbana. Millionaires often choose this hotel for their vacations, so its restaurant is its pride. The hotel is located near the Miromesnil stop. Dinner for two will cost a thousand euros here. And yes, we weren’t wrong.
Pierre Gagnard – Most starters start at 90 euros.The restaurant is located near the George V metro, close to the Arc de Triomphe next to the Champs Elysees in the Hotel Balzac.
PRINCIPLE OF EVALUATION
Evaluating restaurants – is not the easiest thing to do. Michelin employs many restaurant critics who visit 4,000 restaurants every 4 months to confirm their rating. This rating still only covers the biggest cities and the best restaurants.
Michelin establishments evaluate not only the food and cuisine, but also important associated spaces, such as the distance between tables or the cleanliness of the restroom.
Main Evaluation Criteria:
Exceptional quality ingredients.
Cooking Technique.
Harmony of flavors.
Consistency of standards (from dish to dish).
The chef’s overall contribution to gastronomy.
Three stars means “exceptional food that is worth a visit to this restaurant,”while two of them mean “delicious food that is worth a visit if the opportunity arises”, and one star is given to a very good restaurant in its category.
Bib Gourmand award for affordable cuisine
Restaurant ratings are determined on several levels, the main and most important being the so-called Michelin stars, which are given to restaurants for their exceptional quality. The second most important criterion is “cutlery”, which in turn reflects the level and atmosphere of the restaurant. For example, the red color of the cutlery marks an exceptionally pleasant restaurant. However, we will return to the positive meaning of these stars. Michelin awards are always distributed at the beginning of the year. Another important award is the Bib Gourmand. It is also distributed annually by the Michelin brand, but with a focus on restaurants offering good food at an affordable price. Since French culture is inextricably linked with gastronomy, a real trip to France and an introduction to the French way of life cannot do without visiting a few haute cuisine restaurants.
TOURS IN PARIS
If you are already a visitor to the French capital, we recommend a visit:
