The talk of the town in Paris today has been about the new Michelin guide for 2011. For the first time since 1992, notes authoritative food blog Paris by Mouth, there are no new three-star restaurants in France. The headline in the The New York Times Diner’s Journal sums it up best: “In France, Michelin dims its galaxy of three-star restaurants.”
Michelin announced that the new guide listings reflect the shift towards more value-oriented, bistro-style eating over the white tablecloths and silver service in the Michelin-starred world of haute gastronomy. Eater points out that the 2011 Michelin Guide France has more Bib Gourmand restaurants—honoring eateries in which a full meal costs than €35 (US$48) in Paris and €29 (US$40) in the rest of France—than starred-restos.
New two-star restaurants in the guide include: Jean-François Piège at L’Hôtel Thoumieux (currently appearing on the French version of "Top Chef," Jean-François Piège used to helm Les Ambassadeurs at Le Crillon); L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon-Étoile, and Passage 53, formerly decorated with one star.
Image of Chef Jean-François Piège via L’Express