Michelin Reveals Washington D.C.’s Bib Gourmand Selections Ahead of Inaugural MICHELIN Guide Debut Next Week

MICHELIN Guide’s Bib Gourmand List For City Represents Quality Dining at a Good Value

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2016 – Michelin today revealed a list of 19 restaurants in Washington D.C. that received its highly-regarded Bib Gourmand designation--a selection by Michelin of eateries that offer excellent food at a reasonable price. 

Bib Gourmand restaurants are chosen by Michelin’s famously anonymous restaurant inspectors who choose quality restaurants that have menu items that offer two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included). Most telling about the value of these selections is the fact that they are the restaurants that the Michelin inspectors themselves frequent when dining off the clock.

Michelin released its list of these more affordable fine-dining Bib Gourmand locations a week prior to the October 13th market debut of the MICHELIN Guide Washington D.C. 2017. On that day, Michelin will announce the star selections in the city.

This year’s initial list of 19 establishments is a confirmation of the city’s eclectic dining choices, with gastronomies that ranges from Afghanistan to America’s South. In all, 15 different cuisines are represented.

As stated, the Bib Gourmands are selected by Michelin’s inspectors who dine in anonymity at restaurants across the city. These inspectors are trained to scrupulously apply the same time-tested methods used by Michelin inspectors for many decades throughout the world. This ensures a uniform, international standard of excellence. As a further guarantee of complete objectivity, Michelin inspectors pay all their bills in full.

Washington D.C. MICHELIN Guide 2017

Bib Gourmands

About the MICHELIN Guide

Thanks to the rigorous MICHELIN Guide selection process that is applied independently and consistently around 27 countries, the MICHELIN Guide has become an international benchmark in fine dining. The selections of all restaurants in the Guide are made by Michelin's anonymous inspectors, who are trained to scrupulously apply the same time-tested methods used by Michelin inspectors for many decades throughout the world. This ensures a uniform, international standard of excellence. As a further guarantee of complete objectivity, Michelin inspectors pay all their bills in full, and only the quality of the cuisine is evaluated. To fully assess the quality of a restaurant, the inspectors apply five criteria defined by Michelin: product quality; preparation and flavors; the chef's personality as revealed through his or her cuisine; value for money; and consistency over time and across the entire menu. These objective criteria are respected by all MICHELIN Guide inspectors, whether in Japan, the United States, China or Europe. They guarantee a consistent selection so that a star restaurant as the same value regardless of whether it is located in Paris, New York or Tokyo.

Michelin has been a pioneering force in advancing mobility through innovation and excellence in manufacturing quality. The Company patented the pneumatic, or air-filled, tire in the late 1800s. This was a milestone moment in mobility, permitting automobile owners to travel at great length in a single journey. Then, in an effort to prompt travelers to enjoy their newfound mobility, the company created guides and detailed maps to steer travelers on their way.  The most famous publication that developed from this is the internationally recognized MICHELIN Guide.