Exploring the Michelin Star Scene in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, often celebrated for its diverse and innovative culinary scene, has a rich history with Michelin stars. However, the city's lack of a current Michelin guide has led to a unique status that showcases the local food culture's excellence in its own right. This article delves into the Michelin-starred restaurants of Los Angeles and the remarkable food scene that has thrived without the guidebook's bequest.

Why Los Angeles Isn't in the Michelin Guide

The Michelin Guide has always been selective in its coverage, often focusing on major metropolitan areas with high-density dining options. In the United States, this includes cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Los Angeles, while having a vibrant food scene, hasn't been included in their published guides since 2014. This decision wasn't due to any lack of quality, but rather due to the regional focus of the publication.

Much like Louisiana and other regions, Los Angeles has not been covered by the Michelin guidebooks. The guide used to include Los Angeles but was discontinued due to poor sales. Similarly, in other parts of the world, the guide's coverage varies. For instance, while it covers many regions in Europe, Japan, and some cities in Asia and South America, many other cities remain without any official recognition.

Historical Star-Guided Restaurants

Although the Michelin Guide no longer awards stars to Los Angeles, there were notable restaurants that received Michelin stars before the guide's discontinuation. Here is a list of some of the restaurants that had stars:

3-Star Restaurants (None)

No Los Angeles restaurants were awarded three stars during the period when Michelin stars were still awarded in the city.

2-Star Restaurants (3)

Melisse Spago Urasawa Providence

1-Star Restaurants (16)

Asanebo Bastide Cut at the Langham Gordon Ramsay at the London Hatfield's Water Grill Mori Sushi Ortolan Osteria Mozza Patina Sona Sushi Zo Trattoria Tre Venezle Valentino La Botte The Dining Room at the Langham Bastide Cut Ortolan Mori Sushi

Notably, some of these standout restaurants, particularly those with one star, have persevered and continue to be highly regarded in the local community.

It's worth noting that Sushi of Gari, a newly opened establishment in Los Angeles, originated from a one-star Michelin restaurant in the Upper East Side of New York, further illustrating the quality of the city's food scene.

Why Not Being in the Guide is a Compliment

While not being covered by the Michelin guide might seem like a drawback, it's actually a reflection of Los Angeles's unique and diverse culinary landscape. With a wide array of dining options, from celebrity chefowned restaurants to hidden gems, the city’s food scene continues to thrive and evolve.

As Jonathan Gold, a food critic known for his deep knowledge of the Los Angeles dining scene, highlighted, the city has a fantastic food scene. Restaurants such as those mentioned above are highly regarded, often exceeding the standards of some two-star Michelin restaurants visited during his travels.

Conclusion

The absence of a Michelin guide in Los Angeles hasn't hindered the city's culinary success. Instead, it has strengthened the local scene by focusing on its unique qualities and the exceptional cuisine offered in this bustling metropolis. The rich tapestry of food that Los Angeles offers continues to attract both residents and visitors alike, making it a true foodie paradise.

Keywords: Michelin Stars, Los Angeles Restaurants, Food Scene