Tire company Michelin has added 16 new restaurants it’s eyeing for 2025 awards. On Wednesday, April 9, the Michelin Guide gave nods to the scrappy Il Gigante in Ridgewood as well as the posh new Tete d’Or French steakhouse from Daniel Boulud. The ones-to-watch join the 350 restaurants recommended in the city’s Michelin Guide. Yet there’s no guarantee that the new additions will get a Michelin star or a Michelin Bib Gourmand nod reserved for more affordable restaurants.
This announcement is the first of several teasers of the year that keep Michelin-watchers guessing who will join the 2025 selection of Bib Gourmands and Michelin stars when the awards are announced at a date not yet announced in the fall.
New to the list, there’s the Upper East Side’s Cafe Commerce, the revival of the West Village mainstay from chef Harold Moore, which the inspectors say, “ It’s the kind of menu where there’s always something for everyone, and the vibe makes it a classic weeknight outing.” Next up, there’s Chalong — also on our Eater 38 — the Thai restaurant that opened in 2023. Inspectors celebrate it for its location and shared plates menu, “ideal for the post-work or pre-show crowd.” It comes as no surprise that the buzzy Chez Fifi makes the list, “Upper East Side’s hottest reservation.” And Michelin follows in the footsteps of recent customer Taylor Swift in recommending “ritzy steakhouse” Crane Club from Jeff Katz, chef Melissa Rodriguez, and Tao.
Patricia Howard and Ed Szymanski’s newly-opened Crevette makes the list for its “vibrant, colorful dishes,” as does Williamsburg’s Field Guide, embraced for chef Tim Meyers’s “ingredient-driven approach in a contemporary manner,” an opening yet to receive food media attention at large.
Ariel Arce’s downtown Heroes gets a nod for its “electric” atmosphere and select dishes where “there’s joy to be found.” And Michelin finally paid attention to Hyderabadi Zaiqa — which Eater listed as part of our 2024 awards — noticed by inspectors for its “food with a big personality.” Then we head over to Ridgewood for Italian trattoria Il Gigante, with offerings that are “simple but hit all the right notes.” Union Square’s Vietnamese La Dong also gets a spotlight: The restaurant from the Thai Pranakhon folks serves items like “a clever riff on the Vietnamese turmeric crepe.”
Daniel Boulud’s new steakhouse La Tete d’Or is recognized for its “reminder of what steakhouses can be in their most satisfying and beautiful form.” Upper East Side’s Ly Ly Vietnam Cookhouse — another opening that hasn’t yet been reviewed — for its “plain charming” vibe and “seriously good” food.
Michael White’s Santi also gets some attention as a “perfect date-night reservation.” The lone spot from the Upper West Side, Sempre Oggi, is on the list for its dishes “with a bit of flair.” Meanwhile, Korean wine bar newcomer Sinsa is celebrated for its “talented team that puts considerably more oomph and thought into a short, playful, Korean-inspired menu.” New England-influenced Smithereens wraps up the new nods, for chef Nick Tamburo’s “tight menu that is light on meat and heavy on seafood.”
If Michelin follows years past, the next set of New York restaurants up for Michelin awards should be announced in September.
