The larger Washington, D.C., area can finally boast of a culinary status symbol held by Chicago, San Francisco, and New York: the presence of a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. The Red Guide’s famously anonymous inspectors have awarded the 40-year-old the Inn at Little Washington with its highest accolade, signifying “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” Chef Patrick O’Connell’s chateau-style venue offers guests lodging — for $650-$1400 per night — in what the restaurant website describes as one of the country’s “last unspoiled colonial communities.” The location is Washington, Virginia, a rural town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Unless you have Sprint as your provider, you will not have a cell phone signal,” according to the Inn. For Michelin’s first two guides in D.C., the Inn’s rating stayed steady at two stars. But that’s changed in the past year. “We saw great improvement, from our perspective,” says outgoing Michelin Guide director Michael Ellis. “[O’Connell’s] ability to interpret classic French dishes in a modern way is amazing.” The Inn has amassed a huge D.C. clientele over its 40-year run, with some 80 percent of its customers making the 90-minute drive from D.C. for O’Connell’s cooking, according to Ellis. This also means that the nation’s capital still technically lacks a three-starred restaurant. And for a third straight year, every single Michelin-starred head chef in D.C. is a man. With the exception of Sushi Taro, the list remains exclusively European and American in focus, with none of the capital’s excellent Ethiopian, Filipino, Laotian, or Middle Eastern venues having been deemed worthy of a star. Minibar by Jose Andres and Pineapple & Pearls by Aaron Silverman both retained their two-star status, while two restaurants were elevated to one star: Ryan Ratino’s bistronomie-focused Bresca, and Robert Wiedmaier’s seafood-centric spot in Logan Circle, Siren. Two stars mean “excellent cooking, worth a detour,” while one star means “high quality cooking, worth a stop.” There are just over 120 restaurants worldwide with three stars. The San Francisco Bay area currently leads the U.S. count with seven, followed by five in New York and one in Chicago and D.C. Here are some observations about this year’s list, followed by the full list itself: One of the Year’s Best New Restaurants? Maydan was perhaps the most high-profile new restaurant to be overlooked by the starred selections. Rose Previte’s eclectic fire-focused restaurant, which tips its hat to the cuisines of Lebanon, Iran, Morocco, and the Caucuses, was named one of the year’s best new restaurants by both Eater’s Bill Addison and Bon Appetit’s Andrew Knowlton. But Michelin only awarded it a “Bib Gourmand,” signifying a venue that offers “excellent food at a reasonable price.” Maydan was perhaps the most high-profile new restaurant to be overlooked by the starred selections. Rose Previte’s eclectic fire-focused restaurant, which tips its hat to the cuisines of Lebanon, Iran, Morocco, and the Caucuses, was named one of the year’s best new restaurants by both Eater’s Bill Addison and Bon Appetit’s Andrew Knowlton. But Michelin only awarded it a “Bib Gourmand,” signifying a venue that offers “excellent food at a reasonable price.” “I think they were certainly close to a star,” Ellis said of Maydan. He added that cooking with fire is “quite difficult,” and that there were “some inconsistencies.” Ellis said Michelin would “follow them closely.” Southeast Asia Snubbed Again: Tom Cunanan’s Filipino Bad Saint, as well as Seng Luangrath’s Laotian Thip Khao, were both snubbed from the starred selections for yet another year, having been relegated to the Bib Gourmands — Michelin’s list of more affordable restaurants that “offer excellent food at a reasonable price.” Ellis notes that D.C. had a record amount of Bib Gourmand additions this year, nearly doubling its count from 22 to 39 inclusions. Tom Cunanan’s Filipino Bad Saint, as well as Seng Luangrath’s Laotian Thip Khao, were both snubbed from the starred selections for yet another year, having been relegated to the Bib Gourmands — Michelin’s list of more affordable restaurants that “offer excellent food at a reasonable price.” Ellis notes that D.C. had a record amount of Bib Gourmand additions this year, nearly doubling its count from 22 to 39 inclusions. Here’s Ellis, on Little Washington: “When we first had the idea of the D.C. guide, we had some internal discussions on how far it would go,” geographically, that is. He added that he was able to “convince the team” to include Little Washington. Ellis also said that Michelin had “a number of discussions” of what inspectors found at the restaurant over the years, and that O’Connell took that feedback “to heart.” “When we first had the idea of the D.C. guide, we had some internal discussions on how far it would go,” geographically, that is. He added that he was able to “convince the team” to include Little Washington. Ellis also said that Michelin had “a number of discussions” of what inspectors found at the restaurant over the years, and that O’Connell took that feedback “to heart.” The Long Tasting-Menu Dilemma: When asked about Minibar, Ellis spoke about the “challenge of small-bite tasting menu,” noting that “everything has to be at a three-star level” for restaurants of that caliber. Venues whose courses constitute one or two bites present a “unique challenge” when compared to a venue serving shorter menus. He cited, however, the example of Pierre Gagnaire as a risk-taking chef who has been able to keep three stars even while doing things that “quite simply don’t work.” When asked about Minibar, Ellis spoke about the “challenge of small-bite tasting menu,” noting that “everything has to be at a three-star level” for restaurants of that caliber. Venues whose courses constitute one or two bites present a “unique challenge” when compared to a venue serving shorter menus. He cited, however, the example of Pierre Gagnaire as a risk-taking chef who has been able to keep three stars even while doing things that “quite simply don’t work.” Marcel’s Was Also Considered: Ellis notes that while Marcel’s — Robert Wiedmaier’s nearly 20-year-old, Rammy Award-winning restaurant — has been a “pillar” in the French fine dining community (and “there has always been expectation” it would get a star), it was Wiedmaier’s newest restaurant that stuck out as being star-worthy this year. Ellis hails the “perfection and preparation” of the seafood, “freshness and quality” of the product, and masterful cooking techniques at Siren, which opened inside the Darcy Hotel over a year ago with a caviar bar. Ellis calls Weidmaier an “extremely gifted chef.” Ellis notes that while Marcel’s — Robert Wiedmaier’s nearly 20-year-old, Rammy Award-winning restaurant — has been a “pillar” in the French fine dining community (and “there has always been expectation” it would get a star), it was Wiedmaier’s newest restaurant that stuck out as being star-worthy this year. Ellis hails the “perfection and preparation” of the seafood, “freshness and quality” of the product, and masterful cooking techniques at Siren, which opened inside the Darcy Hotel over a year ago with a caviar bar. Ellis calls Weidmaier an “extremely gifted chef.” On Prices: Michelin’s top restaurants remain some of the D.C. area’s most expensive options. Little Washington runs $228-$238 before tax and tip; Minibar is $275; Pineapple & Pearls is $325, all inclusive (with beverages). Michelin Washington D.C.’s 2019 Starred Selections Three Stars Two Stars One Star<doc-sep>If you buy something from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy . What Three D.C. Chefs With a Sea of Michelin Stars Served Last Night Share All sharing options for: What Three D.C. Chefs With a Sea of Michelin Stars Served Last Night Welcome back to Eater Scenes, where photographer Rey Lopez captures a restaurant at a specific time and day. Here, Lopez visits Pineapple & Pearls for an annual Michelin charity dinner for two high-profile food banks. Three of D.C.’s top restaurants joined forces in one kitchen on the eve of Michelin’s 2019 star announcement to make an elaborate nine-course feast, complete with caviar gummy bears and pours from pricey champagne magnums. Wednesday night’s $650-per-person dinner at Capitol Hill’s Pineapple & Pearls featured hits from Patrick O’Connell (The Inn at Little Washington), Aaron Silverman (Pineapple & Pearls), and Jorge Hernandez (Minibar by José Andrés) — with seven stars between the power restaurant trio, as of Thursday’s 2019 D.C. Michelin Guide announcement. While Minibar by Jose Andres and Pineapple & Pearls held on to their two-star ratings for 2019, the 40-year-old Inn nestled in rural Washington, Va. attained Michelin’s highest accolade of three stars, signifying “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” The Inn showcased its team’s talent with a daring dessert dubbed “Apparently a Pear” — a hand-painted fruit filled with poached pear compote and sauced with light amaretto cream. Michelin Guide director Michael Ellis, who was in attendance with his team, told Eater a standout bite that stuck in his mind was Pineapple & Pearls’ silver bowl of white sturgeon caviar, gummy bears, and sprinkles. The event benefited DC Central Kitchen and Andrés’ nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, which prepared more than 3 million meals for Puerto Rico hurricane victims over the course of three months. He recounts the experience in his latest book, We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time.<doc-sep>Washington, D.C., finally has a three-Michelin starred restaurant. Since 2017, the nation’s capital has been the only U.S. city without a destination offering what the guides consider to be three-star worthy: “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.” But in the 2019 edition launched today, chef Patrick O’Connell’s the Inn at Little Washington breaks that streak, becoming the first three-star restaurant in Michelin’s guide to Washington, D.C. Michelin launched its first list of D.C.’s restaurants in 2016 with just 12 restaurants total. Three of these earned two stars: the Inn at Little Washington, Minibar, and Pineapple & Pearls. Back then, Eater NY critic Ryan Sutton characterized the Inn at Little Washington’s inclusion in the two-star ranks as “unexpected” due to the fact that the classic American restaurant isn’t actually located in Washington, D.C., proper but the Virginia countryside. With the new three-star designation, the exception seems especially warranted. But aside from the location, the Inn at Little Washington checks all of Michelin’s usual boxes: the destination restaurant serves a $200-plus tasting menu of high-end American cuisine. In fact O’Connell told Eater DC that prior to the restaurant opening in 1978, he traveled to Michelin-starred properties in France for inspiration. Forty years later, his restaurant is at the top of Michelin’s rankings. In other news, both Bresca and Siren by RW received one star for the first time; Aaron Silverman’s Pineapple and Pearls and José Andrés’s Minibar retained their two-star status. So although there are still technically no three-star restaurants in Washington, D.C., listed in the capital’s third Michelin guide, there’s at least one nearby. • Here Are Washington D.C.’s New Michelin Starred Restaurants for 2019 [Eater DC]<doc-sep>
Forty years ago, it got its start as a small restaurant in a former auto repair shop. Now, it's the D.C.-area's only three-star Michelin restaurant. Here's the breakdown of the 2019 Michelin star restaurants. The Inn at Little Washington is the first D.C.-area restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars. (©2012 Gordon Beall/Gordon Beall) ©2012 Gordon Beall/Gordon Beall Patrick O’Connell is the chef and proprietor of The Inn at Little Washington. This year, he is celebrating The Inn’s 40th anniversary. (Courtesy The Inn at Little Washington) Courtesy The Inn at Little Washington Pictured: Radish tartine with Virginia country ham and caviar at The Inn at Little Washington, a three-star Michelin restaurant about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. (Courtesy The Inn at Little Washington) Courtesy The Inn at Little Washington The design for the kitchen at The Inn at Little Washington came from Windsor Castle. (Courtesy The Inn at Little Washington) Courtesy Gordon Beall/ The Inn at Little Washington Chef José Andrés’ restaurant, Minibar, maintained its two-star status in the 2019 Michelin Guide. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) AP/Kathy Willens Blue Duck Tavern held on to its star status. It was one of 13 D.C.-area restaurants to receive one star in the 2019 Michelin Guide. (Courtesy Park Hyatt Washington) Courtesy Park Hyatt Washington Masseria, in D.C.’s Union Market district, also held onto its star status in the 2019 Michelin Guide. (Photo Credit Scott Suchman) SCOTT SUCHMAN Komi, a Greek and Mediterranean restaurant, was awarded one Michelin star. One star denotes “high-quality cooking, worth a stop.” (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) AP/Charles Dharapak Plume is one of D.C.’s Michelin-starred restaurants. It’s located in the Jefferson Hotel on 16th Street NW. (Courtesy Kyle Schmitz) Courtesy Kyle Schmitz Pictured: Peanut-crusted softshell crab tempura, perfumed with orange and lemongrass at The Inn at Little Washington. (Courtesy The Inn at Little Washington) Courtesy The Inn at Little Washington A view from the ballroom at The Inn at Little Washington, located about 70 miles outside of Washington, D.C. (Gordon Beall) Gordon Beall ( 1 /11) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print. 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.