As promised, here are exclusive photos and details of the Michelin Guide 2009 Los Angeles and Las Vegas luncheon and press briefing which I attended earlier today. It was a private event with approximately 30 guests held at The London, West Hollywood which is a fabulous and chic hotel located just off the Sunset strip.
Michelin Guide Director Jean-Luc Naret
Michelin Guide Director Jean-Luc Naret announced the 2009 recipients which you can see here and shared highlights including Providence gaining a star to enter the two star realm, and new one star restaurants including Bastide, Gordon Ramsay at The London, Hatfield's, Osteria Mozza, and Sushi Zo.
Mika Takeuchi & Michelin Director Jean-Luc Naret
Jean-Luc also announced the newly added Bib Gourmand section of The Michelin Guide which share's Michelin Guide inspector's favorite restaurants for a good value. In addition, I was honored to be introduced by Jean-Luc as the Guest Explorer for Michelin Guide Los Angeles. As a guest explorer, I will be using the Michelin Guide to make dining choices and then writing about it and sharing it on the Michelin Guide website and also here on FoodFashionista.com.
L.A. Michelin Guides- Served Fresh and Hot off the Press
Gordon Ramsay's John Dory atop of Risotto
Following Jean-Luc Naret's briefing, the wait staff served us exclusive first hand, hot off the press 2009 Los Angeles Michelin Guides off of silver platters. We were then treated to a two course lunch from the newly awarded 1 star Michelin kitchen at Gordon Ramsay, which included a John Dory over Risotto entree and a warm chocolate souffle and Vanilla Ice Cream desert.
Eddie Lin, Hugh Garvey, Jean-Luc Naret
Mika Takeuchi and Jackie Weiss
I can't tell you how wonderful it was being surrounded by other obsessed foodies. Unlike some events where your focus completely drifts off with the humdrum chit chat, this luncheon had no sign of that with all of us being completely engaged in our gastronomic focused conversation. In addition to the fab folks at Michelin, I shared my table with a wonderful group including Hugh Garvey of Bon Appetit, Jeff Miller of Thrillist, Lesley Balla of EaterLA, Matt Armedariz of MattBites, KT from Gastronomy101, and Eddie Lin of Deep End Dining.
Bibendum adorned Goodie Bags
And yes, there were goodie bags. As a frequent fashion show attendee, I always look forward to the goodie bag and this one was particularly special because it had my favorite male mascot Bibendum on it.
Mika Takeuchi & Hugh Garvey of Bon Appetit
Now that all of the 2009 North America Michelin Guides are released, I recommend purchasing one, two, three, or even four. The Michelin Guide Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and New York are a great dining reference and also make fantastic gifts!
To Purchase your 2009 Michelin Guide, visit Michelin Guide
