Pittsburgh’s vibrant food scene has received a lot of national attention in recent years, from James Beard Award nods to Bon Appetit’s feature on our culinary culture to New York Times' list of best restaurants in America.
Now, Pittsburgh is set to join a global culinary map. Michelin Guide, a prestigious restaurant rating system and guide, announced it’s expanding to the Great Lakes region, which includes Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.
“This recognition will help attract new visitors, support local hospitality jobs, and strengthen Pittsburgh’s reputation as an exciting culinary destination for taste driven travelers,” VisitPITTSBURGH President and CEO Jerad Bachar said.
How does the Michelin Guide work?
The selection is based on evaluations from anonymous dining experts who look at five core criteria: quality of ingredients, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, how the chef’s personality shines through their menu, and consistency across multiple visits. They eat at a restaurant as many times as it takes to get a grasp on a place — so look around, you might be dining next to a Michelin judge!
How can restaurants be recognized by Michelin?
- One, two, and three star restaurants serve “exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.”
- Bib Gourmand is given to restaurants that offer high quality food for a good value.
- Michelin Green star honors restaurants that are “pioneers in mindful gastronomy.”
- Michelin “recommended” restaurants are also highlighted by inspectors, but they don’t necessarily meet the Bib Gourmand criteria.
The restaurant selections for the American Great Lakes Region will be revealed at a ceremony sometime next year.
Does Pittsburgh actually want a Michelin Guide?
Post-Gazette dining critic Hal B. Klein recently told City Cast Pittsburgh that we don’t need to be part of the Michelin Guide: “We should be Pittsburgh and be our own place.” (Were we clairvoyant with this episode, or what?)
The rubric for what qualifies a Michelin star is pretty strict. “It puts a certain type of restaurant, with an old school, generally Western European-based service at an advantage,” Klein said.
Getting the Michelin Guide to come to town is also a big expense, often paid for by a city’s tourism department. Eater reports that it cost Houston $90,000 per year to join the guide, and Atlanta spent $1 million over the course of three years.
What Pittsburgh restaurant should get a star?
Commenters on Reddit have name-dropped spots like Pusadee’s Garden, Fet-Fisk, Apteka, One by Spork, Dish Osteria, and Morcilla.
Others say we just don’t hit the mark. According to one Reddit commenter, “No restaurants here operate on a Michelin star level. That's not an indictment of the service anyone provides here, it's just not a game anyone here plays.”
Klein's picks for restaurants that probably won't get a star (because of the strict criteria) but should still be on everyone's list? Amazing Dumplings, Dish, Tasty Noodle, and Ramen King 2.
"All of those places serve food that's incredibly delicious and prepared from scratch with care,” he said.
