WASHINGTON — The release of the star-rated restaurants in the 2019 Michelin Guide brought a wave of excitement to D.C.’s culinary community Sept. 13. The Inn at Little Washington became the area’s first three-star restaurant since the Guide’s D.C. launch in 2016.
Congratulations PATRICK! ⭐⭐⭐@Michelin After 40 years you got it! @InnatLittleWash my team and I we salute you! @minibarbyjose @thinkfoodgroup
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) September 13, 2018
The two previous D.C. Michelin Guides awarded Patrick O’Connell’s classic, yet quirky, Washington, Virginia dining destination two stars, along with Aaron Silverman’s Pineapple and Pearls and José Andrés’ Minibar. Both Pineapple and Pearls and Minibar maintained their two-star status in the 2019 Michelin Guide, and remain the only two restaurants in the two-star category. Thirteen D.C. restaurants were awarded one star, with Ryan Ratino’s Bresca and Robert Wiedmaier’s Siren new to the list. No restaurants were stripped of a star in this year’s review. “Our inspectors are especially impressed with the consistency of the restaurant scene in D.C.,” said Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin Guide, in a news release. “Every starred restaurant recognized last year has maintained exceptional quality and steadiness.” The Inn at Little Washington is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. O’Connell, chef and proprietor, began building his dream restaurant in a rented space that was previously an auto repair garage. It’s since evolved into a luxurious five-star retreat, and continues to expand. (The video below was posted of The Inn at Little Washington team celebrating the restaurant’s three-stars. Chef Patrick O’Connell is in the red bib.)
Can now officially say I work at the ONLY 3 Michelin Starred Restaurant in the DC area. I am so incredibly happy to be apart of this day and this hard working team!! ⭐⭐⭐ pic.twitter.com/lTC7nc7Hkg
— Alyssa 🔅 (@alyssaahummel) September 13, 2018
The Michelin Guide also publishes a Bib Gourmand, or “cheap eats” list. Thirty-nine D.C. restaurants were included in this category in the 2019 edition, up from 22 last year. The Michelin Guide, founded by the tire company, has been rating restaurants with its star system since the 1930s, and it started as a way to encourage car travel. One star denotes “high-quality cooking, worth a stop,” two stars means “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” and three stars, the highest honor, signifies “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” Anonymous inspectors review the restaurants and judge them on a number of criteria, including quality of the ingredients used, mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, and consistency. D.C. is one of four cities in the U.S. to have a Michelin Guide. Others include New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Michelin publishes 31 other guides throughout Europe, South America and Asia. Here’s the full breakdown of the 2019 Michelin Guide star-rated restaurants: Three stars The Inn at Little Washington Two stars Minibar Pineapple and Pearls One star Blue Duck Tavern Bresca (New) The Dabney Fiola Kinship Komi Masseria Métier Plume Rose’s Luxury Siren by RW (New) Sushi Taro Tail Up Goat