If you haven’t already heard, the 2009 Michelin Stars were leaked on to the Internet over the weekend – much to the delight of over-eager foodies everywhere. You can read the full list here so we won’t bore you with the details, but we have updated the ‘Best For Michelin Starred’ lists on all city-eating sites to make your life easier.
There were a couple of predictable (French) additions to the one-star list – namely Helene Darroze at the Connaught and Ambassade de I’Ile, which proved to be the fine dining equivalent of Marmite in 2008. The other London one-stars were Ristorante Semplice, Kai, Murano and L’Autre Pied. We were pleased to see St John finally included, though what they did differently last year (compared to the previous fourteen) is anyone’s guess.
The two-star additions were also very French, with L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and the hit-or-miss Alain Ducasse taking centre stage. That said, it was lovely to see Claude Bosi’s Hibiscus regaining the star it lost in its transition from Ludlow to London.
Further afield, there were new stars for the Plumed Horse in Edinburgh; Sangster’s in Fife; Casamia in Bristol; and The Burlington in Skipton. In and around Birmingham, Purnell’s, Turner’s, Lords of the Manor, and Le Becasse all picked up their first stars.
In a sad, but not unexpected, turn of events, there were five ‘deletions’ this year – 1 Lombard Street; La Noisette; Mirabelle; Tamarind; and L’Escargot.
You don’t have to be a complete Michelin devotee to feel proud of London’s impressive collection of 49 stars, though it might hurt Ramsay-haters to know that he owns our only three-star establishment – Gordon Ramsay at Hospital Road. Here’s hoping that Marcus Wareing will push some boundaries in 2009 and give him some competition.
Check out the full London list here and let us know what you think of this year’s additions and omissions!
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