The nation’s capital just got a new slate of Michelin-starred restaurants. Two new restaurants received a star this year: Causa, serving Peruvian food, and the Indian restaurant Rania. No new restaurants joined the two- and three-starred ranks.
Last year, four restaurants joined DC’s guide, all in the one-star tier: Albi, a Levantine spot in Navy Yard; Oyster Oyster, serving up a plant-based tasting menu near Logan Circle; Georgetown’s contemporary Reverie, which is currently closed due to a fire that broke out in the space last year; and Imperfecto, blending Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine. DC has only three two-starred restaurants (all of which Michelin categorizes as “contemporary,” including José Andrés’ Minibar) and one three-starred restaurant, the Inn at Little Washington.
Two spots this year—Mexican restaurant La Tejana and Levantine cafe Yellow (also helmed by Albi’s chef Michael Rafidi)—snagged a Bib, an award that’s intended to recognize restaurants more affordable than those in the main starred guide. In North America, a meal at a Bib Gourmand restaurant must cost no more than $49 for a starter, main, and dessert—not including drinks. Bibs also tend to represent a more diverse range of cuisines than the main guide, which more often than not skews French, Japanese, and Korean. DC is currently home to 29 Bib Gourmand restaurants.
This year for the first time, DC’s Michelin ceremony didn’t take place in the district. Instead, restaurateurs migrated northward Tuesday evening for the city’s annual guide ceremony, taking place in New York City. In a first-of-its-kind triple ceremony, Michelin announced updated guides for Washington, DC, New York, and Chicago at a single ceremony.
Along with the announcement of new stars were Michelin’s special awards. Sarah Thompson of Hong Kong-style Chinese restaurant Queen’s English was honored with the Best Sommelier distinction, and Ryan Ratino of Jont, a 14-seat tasting counter, received the Young Chef award. Daniel Todd was honored for his cocktail program at the Dabney, and Giuseppe Formica of Italian spot Fiola took home the Outstanding Service Award. The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, VA got a Green Star, honoring sustainability in the kitchen.
