# If the Michelin Guide included New Orleans, would any Big Easy restaurants have stars? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [November 20, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525 "2024-11-20T19:56:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/1 "2024-11-20T19:56:37Z")
The Michelin Guide only includes New York, Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, and LA when it comes to American cities. Yes, it’s a tragedy that Miami, Dallas, Kansas City, and multiple other cities with amazing cuisine are left off the list. If it included New Orleans, would any restaurants make the list? [Antoines](https://antoines.com/) is certainly emblematic of all things Crescent City and its attendant cuisine, although its interior and its menu both seem (to me anyway) to be stuck in 1848. I don’t know enough about cuisine to know if the chef there is doing anything innovative or extraordinary there. [Commander’s Palace](https://www.commanderspalace.com/) is equally emblematic, its baby-blue-and-white color scheme is certainly striking from its exterior. But again, is what’s going on inside up to snuff Michelin-star-wise? [Galatoire’s](https://www.galatoires.com/) certainly seems to hit the right notes – IF the Michelin Guide were stuck in Paris in 1910. Again, I don’t know if what goes on inside its doors would be good enough to catch the attention of the Guide. What are your thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/2 "2024-11-20T20:36:36Z")
This site certainly thinks so: > [@](#): > > If Michelin were to include New Orleans in its coverage, there is little doubt that several of the city’s iconic restaurants would be strong contenders for stars. Restaurant August, led by James Beard Award-winning chef John Besh, is known for its refined yet locally inspired dishes. Brigtsen’s and Coquette are also celebrated for their innovative takes on traditional Southern fare, blending fine dining techniques with the soulful flavors of the region. > **[Why Are There No Michelin Star Restaurants in New Orleans?](https://www.tastemessage.com/trythis/why-are-there-no-michelin-star-restaurants-in-new-orleans)** > > New Orleans is a city steeped in culture, history, and music, and is perhaps best known for its vibrant and eclectic culinary scene. From its iconic Creole and Cajun dishes to a rich tradition of street food and fine dining, the Crescent City offers... You’d think that the home and source of _Oysters Rockefeller_ and _Boef Robespierre_ and _Pompano en Papillote_ would be a shoo-in for a Michelin rating, but I have no idea how these things are ultimately decided. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/3 "2024-11-20T20:42:38Z")
I just got back from the Big Easy. Establishments like Antoine’s are nice, but I prefer to eat at the dingy local places. Some of the best meals of my life have been in such holes in the wall. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/4 "2024-11-20T21:02:56Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > You’d think that the home and source of _Oysters Rockefeller_ and _Boef Robespierre_ and _Pompano en Papillote_ would be a shoo-in for a Michelin rating, but I have no idea how these things are ultimately decided. Well, I know that it considers cities first and the restaurants within them second, so Thomas Keller could open up the Best Restaurant in the World in Oklahoma City and it’s not going to get any stars because the Guide doesn’t include Oklahoma City. And its definition of cities is rather fluid – the French Laundry is considered to be in San Francisco (one of the few US cities in the Guide) for the purposes of the Guide, but Yountville is a solid 60 miles from San Francisco. Similarly, San Diego restaurants are included in the L.A. listings. I also think that the people behind the Guide consider the U.S. to be an afterthought and they figured that Washington, Chicago, San Francisco, LA and New York are enough American places because Fuck America. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/5 "2024-11-20T21:34:13Z")
My impression is that the fine folks at the Michelin Guide are largely paid by the featured city. When they came to Toronto two years ago it was touted as a partnership between MG and Tourism Toronto. When New Orleans coughs up the cash, they will feature NO restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/6 "2024-11-20T22:16:19Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > When New Orleans coughs up the cash, they will feature NO restaurants. If what I know about New Orleans is true, then every man, woman and child in the city could happily live their entire lives without a word about the city being mentioned in the Michelin Guide. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2024, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/7 "2024-11-20T22:23:47Z")
It was a couple of decades ago, but when I dined at Antoune’s it did not impress me as at all in the same clas as the sevearal starred restaraunts I’ve eaten at. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/8 "2024-11-21T12:03:30Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Well, I know that it considers cities first and the restaurants within them second, so Thomas Keller could open up the Best Restaurant in the World in Oklahoma City and it’s not going to get any stars because the Guide doesn’t include Oklahoma City. And its definition of cities is rather fluid – the French Laundry is considered to be in San Francisco (one of the few US cities in the Guide) for the purposes of the Guide, but Yountville is a solid 60 miles from San Francisco. Similarly, San Diego restaurants are included in the L.A. listings. One of the things that annoys me about the Michelin guides, aside from restaurants, is that they consider art museums far, far above any other sort of museum. You can tell where their heart and interests lie. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/9 "2024-11-21T13:14:49Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > If Michelin were to include New Orleans in its coverage, there is little doubt that several of the city’s iconic restaurants would be strong contenders for stars. Restaurant August, led by James Beard Award-winning chef John Besh, is known for its refined yet locally inspired dishes. I’ve eaten at Restaurant August. I’ve never eaten at Michelin-starred restaurant but I would imagine it would be much like the experience I had there. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/10 "2024-11-21T13:57:56Z")
> [@mozchron](#): > > I just got back from the Big Easy. Establishments like Antoine’s are nice, but I prefer to eat at the dingy local places. Some of the best meals of my life have been in such holes in the wall. The best meal I ever had in Louisiana wasn’t even in New Orleans. It was in New Iberia, at the Pelican on the Bayou. Sitting at a picnic table on the bayou eating fresh broiled catfish and shrimp. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/11 "2024-11-21T14:24:39Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I have no idea how these things are ultimately decided. Payola, basically. The Guide Michelin recently expanded their reviews to encompass Texas, and from what I’ve read, that was after a LOT of lobbying and nearly a million bucks annually five Texas cities (Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin) and the state’s travel office pay annually for the Guide to cover the state. [Dallas Michelin Guide Debuts With Surprises, Controversy | Dallas Observer](https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/michelin-guide-in-dallas-surprises-and-controversy-21045347) So in essence, NOLA and the State of Louisiana are playing against type and NOT coming to the table and greasing palms, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/12 "2024-11-21T17:58:46Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > The Michelin Guide only includes New York, Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, and LA when it comes to American cities. And Denver. Four now. Plus one in Boulder, one in Aspen and I predict very soon one in Breckenridge. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2024, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/13 "2024-11-21T20:40:46Z")
Texas was recently added. [Texas Michelin Guide: 15 restaurants win coveted Michelin stars](https://www.chron.com/food/article/michelin-awards-texas-guide-winners-19906384.php) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/14 "2024-11-22T13:04:01Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Boef Robespierre The [dish](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gericht_(Speise)) apparently comes from the [restaurant](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restaurant) “[Antoine’s](https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antoine%E2%80%99s&action=edit&redlink=1)” in [New Orleans](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans), invented by its founder _Antoine Alciatore_ . He is said to have invented the fillet in France, and to have said that [Robespierre’s](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilien_de_Robespierre) face looked like raw [beef](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rindfleisch) when he [was executed](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinrichtung) in 1794. Appetizing! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/15 "2024-11-22T13:17:40Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > The [dish](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gericht_(Speise)) apparently comes from the [restaurant](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restaurant) “[Antoine’s](https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antoine%E2%80%99s&action=edit&redlink=1)” in [New Orleans](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans), Didn’t I already say that in my post? ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2024, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/16 "2024-11-22T13:43:11Z")
I carelessly copied text from Wiki. I thought the execution story was innersting. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/17 "2024-11-24T15:17:45Z")
Commanders, Brennan’s, August, and R’evolution would certainly have stars, of the places I’ve been. There are probably 100 places that deserve a Bib Gourmand. ---
**Author:** ![spifflog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/18 "2024-11-25T17:26:52Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > [Galatoire’s](https://www.galatoires.com/) certainly seems to hit the right notes – IF the Michelin Guide were stuck in Paris in 1910. Again, I don’t know if what goes on inside its doors would be good enough to catch the attention of the Guide. I went to Galatoire’s a year ago after a three year break and it was _horrible!_ I was astounded at what a dump it had turned into. No dress code (It was the day of an NFL game, and half the crowd had football jerseys on) and they food was bad. I was taking some friends there after talking it up and I was beyond embarrassed. Never again. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/19 "2024-11-25T18:03:42Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Commanders, Brennan’s, August, and R’evolution would certainly have stars, of the places I’ve been. There are probably 100 places that deserve a Bib Gourmand. This about right. I’m not sure Commanders and Brennan’s would be _hammerlocks_ (vs _strong contenders_) for Michelin stars in 2024, but August and R’evolution would likely be. Back when Emeril Lagasse was running Commanders Palace’s kitchen in the 1980s and his namesake restaurant in the 1990s, both were easily Michelin-star level restaurants. I’m not sure whether Michelin stars need to be updated periodically, or if they remain with an establishment “for life”. Lagasse’s mentor Paul Prudhomme – who preceded Lagasse at Commanders – himself founded a Michelin-level restaurant, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen. During its 1980s-90s prime, it would have been a good bet for a star. However, K-Paul’s closed in 2020. There are some more places in New Orleans that would be good bets for Michelin stars, but are not nationally-known names. To rattle off a few names from **[this list of local James Beard winners](https://nola.eater.com/maps/restaurants-new-orleans-james-beard-award-winners)**, I’d nominate Bayona, Domenica, Compère Lapin, Herbsaint, Gautreau’s, and the aforementioned Brigtens’s. I could see Clancy’s and Arnaud’s, which a few others have called out. Two more French Quarter establishments I’ll throw in are the Pelican Club and Broussard’s – though the latter was sold over a decade ago and I’m not sure it’s quite at the same level today. Dakar NOLA is a very new place (IIRC opened in 2022) that’s racking up industry awards left and right. Have to think they’d be worthy of a star. One more not yet mentioned would be Middendorf’s original location in Manchac, LA – though it’s an hour outside of New Orleans. If I can shoe-horn in another place on the outskirts of the metro area that would be a credible candidate, it would be Dakota in Covington, LA. And there’s no doubt **DoctorJ** is correct about the glut of Bib Gourmand places tucked away all over the New Orleans metro. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2024, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-michelin-guide-included-new-orleans-would-any-big-easy-restaurants-have-stars/1010525/20 "2024-11-25T19:07:44Z")
[quote=“bordelond, post:19, topic:1010525”] To rattle off a few names from **[this list of local James Beard winners](https://nola.eater.com/maps/restaurants-new-orleans-james-beard-award-winners)**, I’d nominate Bayona, Domenica, Compère Lapin, Herbsaint, Gautreau’s, and the aforementioned Brigtens’s. I could see Clancy’s and Arnaud’s, which a few others have called out. Two more French Quarter establishments I’ll throw in are the Pelican Club and Broussard’s – though the latter was sold over a decade ago and I’m not sure it’s quite at the same level today.[/quote] Good list. Definitely on Bayona and Herbsaint and Compere Lapin. The big question, I guess, is are you more likely to get a star for keeping yourself fresh, or for standing the test of time? A place like Arnaud’s mostly cooks the same things they’ve been cooking for 100 years–is that a plus because it still works or a minus because it’s a relic? I don’t know. When I ate at Commander’s a few years ago I thought they had done a fairly good job of straddling that line, keeping it fresh while holding on to the classics. It might be that the better question is: who deserves one star, and who (if anybody) deserves 2-3 stars? Keeping in mind that they didn’t find a single 2- or 3-star joint in all of Texas, and there are only four 3-star restaurants in all of NYC. NOLA’s restaurant culture is such that it would almost need its own set of criteria. > [@bordelond](#): > > Dakar NOLA is a very new place (IIRC opened in 2022) that’s racking up industry awards left and right. Have to think they’d be worthy of a star. We had one of the best dinners of our life there not long after they opened in 2022, when it was still BYOB.