Bad Saint, the District’s acclaimed Filipino restaurant, has been denied a Michelin star yet again. Many predicted the tiny restaurant with big flavors would get bumped from Bib Gourmand to one star once they didn’t appear on the Michelin Guide’s list of more affordable restaurants last month, especially after Chef Tom Cunanan took home the James Beard Award award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic this year.
Four new restaurants joined the list of one-star restaurants while the two- and three-star selections remained the same. The new one-star additions are Sushi Nakazawa, located inside the Trump Hotel, Gravitas in Ivy City, Little Pearl on Capitol Hill, and Maydan off 14th Street NW. All three of Chef Aaron Silverman’s restaurants now have at least one Michelin star.
“We’re thrilled here,” says Gravitas chef and owner Matt Baker. “This is a great team accolade. People said we were crazy for opening a fine dining, tasting menu restaurant in a revitalized warehouse district, so this just shows that if you put your heart and soul into something and have a team that shares your vision and values, you can make your crazy dream happen.”
Only one restaurant fell off the list. Blue Duck Tavern did not retain its one-star rating.
Anonymous inspectors deem a one-star restaurant “very good cooking in this category,” a two-star restaurant “excellent cooking,” and a three-star restaurant “exceptional cuisine worthy of a special journey.” Restaurants receiving stars are evaluated on cuisine alone, so ambiance and service, while important, are not considered. Inspectors look for quality products, consistency, and how much a chef is able to express himself or herself through food.
Three Stars
The Inn at Little Washington
Two Stars
Pineapple and Pearls
minibar by José Andrés
One Star
Bresca
The Dabney
Fiola
Kinship
Komi
Little Pearl
Masseria
Maydan
Métier
Plume
Rose’s Luxury
Sushi Nakazawa
Sushi Taro
Tail Up Goat
Last month, Michelin released the restaurants which received a Bib Gourmand. These eateries are said to offer “exceptional food at moderate prices.” Michelin removed Doi Moi, Bad Saint, and Maydan from the list (as well as closed restaurants Spark and Kyirisan), and added ten new ones.
Ambar
American Son (new)
Astoria (new)
Bidwell
Cane (new)
Chercher
China Chilcano
Chloe
Das Ethiopian
Fancy Radish
Federalist Pig (new)
Hanumanh (new)
Hazel
Ivy City Smokehouse
Jaleo
Joselito’s Casa de Comidas
Kaliwa
Laos in Town (new)
Lapis
Maketto
Millie’s
Mola
Napoli Pasta Bar
Ottoman Taverna
Oyamel
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Primrose (new)
The Red Hen
Royal
Sababa
Sfoglina
Spoken English
Stellina Pizzeria (new)
Succotash
Supra
Taqueria Habanero (new)
Thip Khao
Tiger Fork
Timber Pizza Co.
Toki Underground
Unconventional Diner
Whaley’s
Zaytinya
Zenebech (new)