Michelin Guide awards first stars for U.S. South
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A two-star Michelin sign outside a Polish restaurant. These will pop up in New Orleans soon. Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Emeril's is the only restaurant in the U.S. South to earn two Michelin stars in the famed guide's first evaluation of the region, the organization announced in a Monday ceremony in Greenville, S.C.
Why it matters: Landing a nod within the Michelin Guide brings life-changing prestige and promotion for selected restaurants and chefs.
The big picture: Emeril's underwent a major overhaul within the past few years when its namesake chef, Emeril Lagasse, brought in his son, E.J. Lagasse IV, to lead the kitchen.
- The young chef launched a full renovation and rebooted the menu, finding ways to cleverly nod to its history and update the haute cuisine for a new generation.
- The restaurant recently received a three-out-of-four-stars review from the New York Times, too.
What they said: E.J. Lagasse's "determination is palpable as he charts a new course, bringing contemporary refinement and vibrant originality to the fore. BBQ shrimp tarts, deep-flavored gumbo and superb, golden-brown cornbread paired with French butter feel familiar and new at once," the judges said, according to the press release.
- "This is cooking that bursts with personality and class and never at the cost of flavor. Generously spaced tables and plush banquettes offer direct, unobstructed views into a gleaming kitchen fronted by floor-to-ceiling glass. All the while, a superb service team tends to every detail with warmth and generosity."
- E.J., 22, also received a special nod as a Michelin Young Chef.
Other New Orleans nods within the Michelin Guide include:
- One star: Saint-Germain and Zasu.
- Bib Gourmand, which nods to great food at reasonable prices: Acamaya, Cochon and Cochon Butcher, Domilise's Po-Boy and Bar, Dooky Chase's Restaurant, Hungry Eyes, Lufu NOLA, Mister Mao, Parkway Bakery and Tavern, Saba, and Turkey and the Wolf.
- Additional "recommended" restaurants were also named. These don't rise to Bib or star status. Michelin says these are "simply a good meal." They included 34, Addis NOLA, Atchafalaya, August, Clancy's, Compére Lapin, Galatoire's, Herbsaint, Killer Poboys, Dakar NOLA, La Petite Grocery, Molly's Rise and Shine, Osteria Lupo, Patois, Pêche, Saffron NOLA, the Kingsway and Willie Mae's NOLA.
One especially surprising snub? Dakar NOLA. Though it was among the selections, many assumed the Senegalese tasting menu restaurant on Magazine Street was a shoo-in for a bigger Michelin mention.
- Also missing: Most of New Orleans' classic, white tablecloth grand dames. That means a shutout for the entire Brennan's family of restaurants, Commander's Palace and others.
- And it appears that no Louisiana restaurants beyond New Orleans were recognized for Bib Gourmand or stars.
The intrigue: A press release with all honorees' names and judges' comments appeared to be mistakenly published earlier Monday ahead of the ceremony.
- A screenshot of an internal Michelin email reviewed by Axios acknowledges "that confidential information was released," and instructed recipients to forward inquiries to the company's spokesperson.
- Axios received an out-of-office reply to our confirmation request. But reporters in New Orleans and North Carolina spoke with named restaurateurs on the list, and each confirmed they were invited to Monday's ceremony.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.