Michelin Stars

My first Michelin dining experience was at Arzak, a three Michelin Star restaurant in San Sebastian. Arzak opened my eyes to what the best chefs in the world were doing, the different techniques that could be incorporated into one dish and how fun food could be. I’m a nerd at heart, and who doesn’t like seeing some science behind cooking techniques?

Since San Sebastian, I’ve been slowly making my way around to other Michelin Star rated restaurants and learning more about the world of fine dining.

Blogging about the different tasting menus has given me a chance to relive these unique experiences and to also think more objectively about each dish that’s put in front of me (you know, instead of just thinking nom nom nom). I hope you enjoy reading about each of these experiences and if you have any questions about dining at any of these places, or just to say hi, be sure to comment and ask – I won’t bite, I promise! 🙂

A quick history lesson on the Michelin Guide and its Stars

If you want to just skip ahead to the food, scroll down. Otherwise, you can keep reading if, like me, you’ve always wondered:

“Why is Michelin, a tire company, THE authority on fine dining?”


It all began in the early 1900s, before Google Maps and the Internet, when automobiles just started becoming popular. Michelin, a tire manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France, wanted to encourage motorists to travel through the country and Europe (and to wear out their tires obviously). To do so, they started the Michelin Guide, outlining different routes, hotels, and of course, restaurants to help people explore.

By 1926, it launched its Michelin Star rating system, becoming one of the first to review restaurants through all of France. A Michelin Star is very exclusive, and only awarded to best of the best. With such a strong pedigree in France, it’s no wonder that chefs these days still obsess over earning a Michelin Star. It’s been rumored that chefs become extremely depressed if they ever lose a coveted star.

So, there you have it. If you don’t know, now you know. Without further adieu, here’s my index for Michelin Star restaurants:

Three Stars – “Worth a special journey.”

Two Stars – “Worth a detour.”

One Star – “A good place to stop on your journey.”