Great read. What are your views on Michelin stars? I must admit I do turn to the Michelin guide for restaurants but have found more and more that the 2 / 3 stars just don’t cut it in the actual food department. Their bib gourmand ( which I like to call the “licky man”) seems to have a much more consistent list of actual “good food” spots. Would love to know your opinion on this.
I definitely use Michelin to find places both at home and abroad, but I think their ratings from city to city are inconsistent. I also have learned that if it’s both great food AND great atmosphere I’m looking to book to do further research, because atmosphere has no bearing on whether a restaurant gets a star or not (I’ve been to starred restaurant in London for my birthday and the vibe was so depressing).
I do think Michelin is a great tool, but it should be used as a starting place for research, rather than used completely in isolation.
I’ve never heard of National Restaurants Awards, just checked it out, not a bad London list but I find they’re very similar to Michelin. Admittedly, I too use Michelin and World Best list. I just feel they often lack the real good food but gritty vibes type restaurants. I’d be interested to know what’s in your 30+ / institution list in London, do you have a post on this? I’m London based too and always up to try a new spot out.
I don’t use Gault & Millau, as I’m London based, but I trust the World’s Best list and the UK’s National Restaurant Awards. Which lists do you like to use?
This year I’ve also been trying restaurants in London that are institutions but not on any lists as they’re 30+ years old. Finding that having this baseline on restaurants that’ve created London’s dining scene has helped me make decisions with context when deciphering the Michelin guide or any other lists!
Great read. What are your views on Michelin stars? I must admit I do turn to the Michelin guide for restaurants but have found more and more that the 2 / 3 stars just don’t cut it in the actual food department. Their bib gourmand ( which I like to call the “licky man”) seems to have a much more consistent list of actual “good food” spots. Would love to know your opinion on this.
I definitely use Michelin to find places both at home and abroad, but I think their ratings from city to city are inconsistent. I also have learned that if it’s both great food AND great atmosphere I’m looking to book to do further research, because atmosphere has no bearing on whether a restaurant gets a star or not (I’ve been to starred restaurant in London for my birthday and the vibe was so depressing).
I do think Michelin is a great tool, but it should be used as a starting place for research, rather than used completely in isolation.
I’ve never heard of National Restaurants Awards, just checked it out, not a bad London list but I find they’re very similar to Michelin. Admittedly, I too use Michelin and World Best list. I just feel they often lack the real good food but gritty vibes type restaurants. I’d be interested to know what’s in your 30+ / institution list in London, do you have a post on this? I’m London based too and always up to try a new spot out.
Yes, i absolutely agree. Do you use any of the others like Gault&Millau?
I don’t use Gault & Millau, as I’m London based, but I trust the World’s Best list and the UK’s National Restaurant Awards. Which lists do you like to use?
This year I’ve also been trying restaurants in London that are institutions but not on any lists as they’re 30+ years old. Finding that having this baseline on restaurants that’ve created London’s dining scene has helped me make decisions with context when deciphering the Michelin guide or any other lists!
Justice for Fulham !
That was in an earlier draft