Michelin news from Paris

Michelin 2007 news is out of the bag this morning. This is a big surpirse, not the least because it's not even February yet, but even more so because of all the grand changes in it.

Yes, yes, yes, I know. I'm not going to torture you with a drawn out musing about this. We're talking Michelin stars here and you just want to get to the good stuff. So here it is!

New three-stars:
L'Astrance, Pascal Barbot and Christophe Rohat
Le Meurice, Yannick Alléno
Le Pré Catelan, Frédéric Anton
Pic, Anne Sophie Pic
Hélène Darroze, Hélène Darroze
Lameloise, Jacques Lameloise (regained the third star they lost few years ago)

demoted:
Le Beurehiesel (The chef Antoine Westermann has stepped down and his son took over the kitchen.)
Le Cinq, Philippe Legendre
Le Taillevent (Previously thought to be untouchable, but I guess Michelin is on a mission to prove nothing is.)
La Ferme de mon père (Marc Veyrat sold the restaurant)

In other news, Marc Meneau is reportedly going bankrupt. The restaurant, saddled with plenty of financial problems over the years, is now going into liquidation. How sad for him.

I'm so very happy for L'Astrance and Le Meurice, on the other hand. They have long been my favorites, and their third stars are more than deserving. Bravo to everyone involved!! Also a bravo to Christian Constant whose tremendously popular Les Fables de la Fontaine is now a one star restaurant.

Here's a link to Le Figaro if you want to read the Simon piece in its entirety. Thanks Adrian for pointing this out.

Comments

[adrian]

Thanks to you! Now maybe more than three people will check out my blog!

Bisous!

[Trig]

I am so pleased for Anne-Sophie in Valence and Hélène in Paris. Although in some ways these promotions are very conservative - they are both traditional French chefs with many years' experience - the fact that France now has its first female 3* Michelin chefs (I think I'm right there, n'est-ce pas?) must be considered as great news. Of course recognition should be on merit, but there's no excuse for any country to be dominated my male chefs at the top level. I'm so happy for them.

[chuck]

trig, have you eaten at Pic? i did last year and it was a nightmare. there's no way i could recommend this restaurant to anyone. granted, it was only 1 meal, but i will never have the need to return.

here's a review i did:
http://chuckeats.com/blog3/2006/06/02/pic-valence-france-the-empress-has-no-clothes/

- chuck

[Clark Staub]

Thanks for your wonderous blog. I have lived vicariously through it for some time - although it seemed like your ventures were more far afield when you were a software...

Oh nevermind.

I had a fantastic meal at Manresa the other night on my way north. The staff was so kind and generous and spoke so kindly of you.

Thanks for keeping my eyes open outside my little corner of the rural world.

Clark
Chef Owner - American Flatbread - Los Alamos, CA

[ulterior epicure]

Quite frankly, I'm not surprised about Le Cinq, Beurhiesel, and Taillevant. Very sad I never made it to Le Meurice or Pre Catalan! Next time!

[frederic pastorino]

anne sophie pic & helene darroze are not the first 2 females to be awarded 3 michelin star in france , the first one was la mere brazier in rhone alpes region in 1933 & she had in fact 2 restaurants with 3 michelin stars each ( in witch many great chefs like mr paul bocuse went to work )

[Michael Phillips]

As someone who has eaten at Taillevent for the past 30 years it is with great diappointment to learn that they have lost a star. From my last meal there last year I think they are still cooking at 3 star level. My one meal at Helene Darroze 2-3 years ago was a disaster. The food was uninspired and the service horrible. It was an experience worth not 3 stars but NO stars! I have spoken to several friends familiar with Darroze and they were shocked when she got her 2nd star. From my limited experience there this promotion is ridiculous.

[Leigh Benson]

Hi Pim,
been reading your blog for a while and do enjoy it, keep up the good work.
I have to write to disagree with Michael Phillips (sorry) I have eaten at Helene Darroze, both upstairs and down, twice in the last three years and I have to say that it has been fantastic both times, but particularly last April when we went to eat in the Restaurant for our wedding anniversary. The food was really amazing, I even had a 'madeleine' moment with a deconstructed fish pie- not something that happens too often. I found the whole experience really enjoyable, the staff were impeccable, despite my dismal attempts at French, the food was certainly outstanding and Helene herself was utterly charming!. I for one am really pleased to see that she has gained number three. You go girl!!!