Sunday May 27, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

What do you think of restaurant guides like Michelin?

Have Your Say Oct. 23, 2009 - 06:44AM JST ( 15 )

Order by Time Order by Popularity

15 Comments

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bdiegoOct. 23, 2009 - 06:57AM JST

They're a mixed bag. Michelen's pros are their critics are always anonymous, their criteria is secret, and their top picks are consistently good. Their cons are they overemphasize the importance of wine-lists (being very French-centric), hence no matter how good your cuisine is it doesn't matter if it doesn't go well with red or white wine. For example, the French love genuine Chinese food but they'll never get a single star unless they stoop to making dishes that go well with wines and serving wines with them - nonsensical for the authentic Chinese that real French gastronomists love. The other con is they are pompous douchebags who think you must adhere to their idea of a restaurant or should get out of business. But no surprise there, even the French know that.
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KallyPygousOct. 23, 2009 - 07:16AM JST

I think on the one hand restaurant guides help to inform the public about good eateries, and also do a good service to the establishments included within them, but on the other hand they are restrictive, in that they can't possibly cover every single restaurant and those that aren't included may get unjustly ignored. Also, depending on the judging criteria, the reviews are likely to be subjective and biased in some way, so can't really be trusted.
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hellhoundOct. 23, 2009 - 07:45AM JST

I don't like it because Taco Bell is not in their books. I miss Taco Bell
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nisegaijinOct. 23, 2009 - 09:53AM JST

useless. i think gurunavi is a lot better.
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AltriaOct. 23, 2009 - 10:00AM JST

Michelin is overrated, but I like Hot Pepper.
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GWOct. 23, 2009 - 10:08AM JST

of next to no use except to someone who finds themselves somewhere on short notice & they dont want to hunt around for a place to chow down
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FoxieOct. 23, 2009 - 11:59AM JST

I use them a lot when I travel thru France. They are very convenient when I go to a town for the first time as I can be sure that I will be served a good meal.
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pawatanOct. 23, 2009 - 02:24PM JST

Snobby ones like Michelin I never use, but ones for normal people with normal tastes on normal budgets are pretty decent.

I do prefer to discover restaurants myself, though.
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neverknow2Oct. 23, 2009 - 03:49PM JST

Hot Pepper

I'm with you. Much better food in Hot Pepper.
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Klein2Oct. 23, 2009 - 05:52PM JST

I have never used one. I guess I say that sheepishly, but I don't go to places based on a writeup at all. Word of mouth, or I just check a place out when I feel hungry. I poke my head in and check five things. I won't say what they are, but if two of them are wrong, I go someplace else.

If a maitre d' will not just let me look at the place, I go someplace else, of course.
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bdiegoOct. 24, 2009 - 04:31AM JST

To be fair Michelin picks are pretty high end. A one star restaurant is typically 20-30 Euros ($40) while a three star is often 150 Euros ($240). But if you're going to France, I don't see why not. Never failed to have an excellent meal at a 1 star - always something creative, fresh, and superior. 3 star would be a good anniversary dinner if you had the budget. For most people, these are special occasion or vacation places not day to day eateries.

Hot Pepper is much better for day to day places. But the truth is your best guide is someone who loves food because they'll be more up to date than any guide. I used Chowhound whenever I vacation in Europe.
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morriconeloverOct. 24, 2009 - 08:28AM JST

I think in these times, there is not really any big need for the Michelin guide. There are so many food reviewers around both in magazines, newspapers and on the internet that can give tips for the best places.

Its nice though to see that the Michelin people are becoming more international, and it is still a name that is still linked to quality. But a problem is that its pretty much only the most expensive places that figure in their lists. I have never been to a place that has a michelin star, but there are a few places here in Copenhagen, Denmark, so i might try some out some day. But i try to rely also on additional reviews, to see if a place is really worth the extra money.
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morriconeloverOct. 24, 2009 - 08:29AM JST

And when i say pricey, then even a 1 star michelin restaurant in Copenhagen is at least 100 dollars. Danish prices :-)
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seesawOct. 24, 2009 - 10:33AM JST

rubbish...it's only for those who want to impress...
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2020hindsightOct. 24, 2009 - 10:35AM JST

Michelin is good for finding good restaurants at the top end of the price range. I don't agree that they judge on good wine; look at the Tokyo guide and many picks serve Nihonshu. Other posters here like Hot Pepper. Ha! I say. Pure advertising and no editorial. Well if that's the case, why not just walk down the street.