The 2008 Michelin Red Guide was released a couple of days ago. The first restaurant in Marseille to ever be awarded the coveted 3 star award, Le Petit Nice of chef Gérald Passédat was one of only 26 restaurants in France rated at the 3 star level (must be expensive bouilliabaisse). A famous restaurant in Paris, the Grand Véfour, lost one of the three stars it has held for the past eight years. The Grand Véfour has had many famous clients dine there since it was established in 1784.
Rating restaurants is serious business in France. A famous chef appeared to have committed suicide in 2003 after his restaurant was downgraded (not by the Michelin Red Guide but by another well known restaurant guide).
Only 68 other restaurants in France were awarded 2 stars, and 435 rated 1 star this year. If you have ever dined in a restaurant in France rated even 1 star, you know that is a treat. We are looking forward to dining in a 2 star restaurant for two nights later this summer with one of our groups.
The 2008 Michelin Red Guide rated 3,569 restaurants in total. Even those not awarded stars will still be quite good. You can purchase a copy on Amazon, or if you are in France you can pick up one of the guides almost anywhere. Your hotel will probably have a copy as well, so ask if you can have a look. The guide also rates hotels.
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