Michelin Whets Spring Branch’s Appetite with Its First Texas Guide
ere was plenty for Houston and the entire Lone Star State to celebrate as top chefs, gourmets, restaurateurs, and foodies assembled here in Houston on November 11 th for the unveiling of the 1st Michelin Guide for Texas.
Why It Matters
Being recognized by the famed MICHELIN Guide is one of the most prestigious recommendations a restaurant can earn. Today, there are more than 60 MICHELIN Guides covering restaurants in 45 destinations worldwide. North American guides cover New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C, California, Miami/Orlando/Tampa, Florida, Toronto, Vancouver, Colorado and Atlanta.
Launching the premier MICHELIN Texas Guide here in the Bayou City not only put Texas but Houston on the map. According to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of e MICHELIN Guides, the Bayou City was chosen as host because “Houston is full of culinary innovation and world-class hospitality, which goes hand in hand with our values at e MICHELIN Guide.”
THE RATING PROCESS
To achieve their ratings, restaurants are visited several times by Michelin’s trained anonymous inspectors, whose criteria includes: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu.
WHO WON?
STAR POWER
Michelin awards One-Star ratings to fine dining restaurants with excellent cuisine, service and ambiance. In Texas, 15 restaurants achieved that honor. In Houston, those included:
• BCN Taste and Tradition (Spanish)
• March (Creative Mediterranean)
• Tatemo (Mexican)
BIB GOURMANDS
• Le Jardinier Houston (French)
• Musaafer (Indian)
• Corkscrew BBQ in Spring also picked up its first star.
Michelin’s Bib Gourmand designation recognizes great food at more reasonable prices.
Restaurants earning that rating in Houston area include:
• Blood Brothers, Bellaire (Barbecue)
• Killen’s (American)
Nam Giao (Vietnamese)
• nobie’s (American)
• Rosie Cannonball (Contemporary)
• e Pit Room (Barbeque)
Truth Barbeque (Barbeque)
• Ema (Mexican)
• Mala Sichuan Bistro (Chinese)
• Nancy’s Hustle (Contemporary)
• Pinkerton’s BBQ (Barbeque)
• Street to Kitchen ( ai)
• eodore Rex (Contemporary)
In addition Steve McDonald at, Pappas Bros Steakhouse won the special Sommelier Award.
ATTENTION, SPRING BRANCH FOODIES:
ough none of our delicious neighborhood favorites were designated –yet---those Michelin evaluators are always at work, and there’s always next year. And since Spring Branch is e Heart of Houston, you’re close enough to try every spot on the list!
P.S. What’s local restaurant do you think has star quality? We’d love to know.
