Saint Emilion
Saint-Emilion
When Michelin, in all their wisdom (and a $900,000 check in their pocket), announced on July 16 that they’d be bringing their coveted stars to Texas, amateur prognosticators couldn’t help but take a stab at speculating which Fort Worth restaurants would make the guide.
And you may have noticed our publication decided it would avoid such conjecturing. We could easily name 25 restaurants worthy of inclusion in the world-famous gastronomy guide, which had previously sidestepped the Lone Star State. But such a list felt like a cheeky way to proclaim “these are the best restaurants in Fort Worth” — a completely subjective bit of editorial that no one in this office has the palate to confidently create. We all like food, but James Beard or Michelin Guide judges we are not.
That said, we don’t mind sharing other publications dabbling in the guessing game. A couple of weeks ago, hot on the heels of the news that the judging might be over, Texas Monthly released their best guesses.
According to the article by Patricia Sharpe, the state-wide magazine “polled the anonymous restaurant reviewers who contribute to [their] Dining Guide, as well as barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn and taco editor Jose R. Ralat, for their predictions for Michelin nods.”
The list includes the five cities where Michelin judges have reportedly stopped by — Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Ultimately, the magazine listed 11 Cowtown restaurants, fewer than any other city and less than half of what they had listed for Dallas (26).
Among the 11 receiving kudos, Texas Monthly didn’t include any surprises or throw any curveballs. They’re all good, solid restaurants that, as is the point of the Michelin Guide, I would recommend to visitors.
Below are the Fort Worth restaurants that appeared on their list:
61 Osteria, Ático, Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine, Clay Pigeon, Don Artemio, Ellerbe Fine Foods, Goldee’s Barbecue, Grace, Le Margot, Lonesome Dove, Panther City BBQ, Saint-Emilion, Tinies
What do you think, Fort Worth? Any restaurants you would add or subtract? Or are the dining folks at Texas Monthly spot-on?
Regardless, we will all find out which local restaurants cut the proverbial mustard in due time, as the Michelin Guide for Texas will come out later this year.
