HispanicBusiness

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelin revealed today the contents of the 2007 edition of its restaurant and hotel guide for New York City, the Michelin Guide New York City 2007, which arrives in stores Wednesday, Oct. 25. Published in 13 editions covering 20 European countries, the Michelin Guide's rating system is internationally recognized as the height of culinary success.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061024/CLTU017)

"In 2005, the Michelin Guide came to New York as the first in North America," said Jean-Luc Naret, director of the Michelin Guides. "It has been a resounding success. This city has such a dynamic, passionate, rich culinary community and we are just honored to participate in the city's unique dining personality."

Overall, 526 restaurants and 50 hotels in every category of cuisine and comfort and at prices to suit all budgets were selected for inclusion in the guide, which is considered a distinction in itself. Three restaurants, Jean Georges, Le Bernardin, and Per Se, received a three-star rating for providing "an exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." Four restaurants received a two-star rating providing "excellent cooking, worth a detour," including Chelsea newcomer Del Posto; 32 restaurants received a one-star rating for being "a very good restaurant in its category," and 487 additional restaurants were selected for the guide as they provide a quality experience. Restaurants and hotels from all five boroughs were considered for the guide. (A complete list of the star winners are at the end of the document).

To evaluate the culinary and service aspects of each restaurant and hotel, highly trained Michelin inspectors anonymously visited each establishment and provided objective evaluations. Stars are awarded by the Michelin inspectors to restaurants offering the finest cooking, regardless of the style of cuisine or level of comfort. The stars judge only the quality of the cuisine. Five criteria are used in determining a star rating: the quality of products, the mastering of flavors and cooking, the "personality" of the cuisine, the value for money and the consistency.

A general listing in the guide indicates "a quality restaurant that stands out from others" in the same category of comfort.

The star ratings are as follows: - One star indicates "a very good restaurant in its category," a place offering cuisine prepared to a consistently high standard. - Two stars denote "excellent cuisine, worth a detour," skillfully and carefully crafted dishes of outstanding quality. - Three stars reward "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." One always eats extremely well here, often superbly. Distinctive dishes are precisely executed, using superlative ingredients.

The decision to award a star is a collective one, based on the consensus of all inspectors who have visited a particular establishment. A written description of each establishment and a variety of other symbols will give readers further insight into an establishment's ambience, cuisine type, specialties and wine lists. These descriptions are customized to American tastes and needs.

Although the Michelin Guide is known and recognized for its "star" system, these restaurants represent a small percent of the whole selection, the rest of which is comprised of consistently good establishments. The Bib Gourmand pictogram indicates a restaurant offering good food at moderate prices, "our inspectors' favorites for good value." This symbol indicates a restaurant where you can get a meal, including two dishes and a glass of wine or dessert, for less than $40. The Michelin Guide New York City 2007 includes 44 Bib Gourmand restaurants, listed at the end of this document.