Michelin D.C. guide adds 3 new restaurants

How it works: Michelin inspectors are notoriously mysterious in their review process, but in recent years they've teased restaurants they say are "too good to keep a secret."

The newcomers:

Amparo Fondita (Dupont Circle): Chef Christian Irabién's minimalist Mexican restaurant goes big on flavor and, per Michelin, "exceptional ingredients" like Oaxacan corn that's nixtamalized in-house.

Cucina Morini (Mt. Vernon Triangle): Chef Matt Adler's Sicilian-style restaurant draws crowds for its $7 martini apertivo hour and tasty pastas (Michelin inspectors rave about the creamy gramigna with pork sausage).

Pascual (Capitol Hill): Lutèce chefs Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy are behind this contemporary Mexican restaurant that serves specialties like lamb neck barbacoa and smoked chicken. According to Michelin: "tetelas and tlayudas are always a good idea."

Zoom out: Michelin already teased five restaurants that will be included in the 2024 guide.

• They also released their first "key" awards — like stars for hotels — for seven properties in D.C.

What we're watching: When the guide will drop, typically in the fall.