The Texas restaurant scene is once again basking in an international spotlight. The Michelin Guide has revealed its statewide selections at an invite-only ceremony held Tuesday, October 28, in Houston.
Overall, 16 San Antonio restaurants are included in this year’s edition of the guide. They are divided as follows:
Michelin Star — Awarded to “establishments serving exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed, and infused with the personality of a talented chef.”
One Star: Isidore (Chefs Danny Parada and Ian Lanphear)One Star: Nicosi (Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph)One star: Mixtli (Chefs Diego Galicia and Rico Torres)
Bib Gourmand — Awarded to “restaurants that offer good quality food for a good value”
Burnt Bean Co. (Seguin)Cullum’s AttaboyThe Jerk ShackLadinoMezquiteSoutherleigh Fine Food & Brewery
Recommended — For quality restaurants that don’t qualify for either a Bib Gourmand or a Michelin star
2M SmokehouseBarbecue StationGarcia’s Mexican FoodLeche de TigreLittle Em’s Oyster BarReese Bros BarbecueSignature Restaurant
Green Star — For “restaurants that are leaders in sustainable gastronomy”
It was an exceptional evening for Pearl’s Pullman Market, which received one stars for Nicosi and Isidore (a newcomer to the guide), plus a Bib Gourmand for Mezquite. Reese Bros Barbecue was the only new Recommended restaurant added to the list. No Alamo City eateries were omitted.
Michelin announced its plans to launch the inaugural Texas guide in July 2024 and revealed its selections last November. In all, 13 San Antonio-area restaurants made the 2024 guide, divided into a single one-star restaurants, five Bib Gourmands, and seven recommended.
Considered to be the most prestigious restaurant review authority in the world, Michelin uses five criteria to evaluate restaurants. They are: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu.
Michelin employs a team of anonymous inspectors to visit restaurants and assess their worthiness for the guide. The system has certain advantages — for example, anonymity helps ensure inspectors don’t receive special treatment during their visits. It also has disadvantages — neither readers nor the restaurants know when or how many times the inspectors visited before deciding on a rating.
Earlier this month, Michelin announced its “key” ratings for hotels across America. While Hotel Saint Augustine, a boutique property in Houston, was the only Texas addition to the list of recognized hotels, Hotel Emma retained its two-key rating.
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