No additional stars were awarded for Orlando at Florida’s 2023 Michelin Guide Ceremony, held Thursday night at Miami’s LoanDepot Park, but 13 of the city’s restaurants joined the ranks of the Michelin-recommended. Additionally, Soseki beverage director Benjamin Coutts received the special Michelin Sommelier Award, a distinction that debuted in 2021.
“It’s given to a sommelier, wine director or beverage director for showing notable effort devoted to the beverage service — wine specifically, but at Soseki, sake, too — that adds to the dining experience,” an anonymous chief inspector for the Michelin Guide in North America told the Orlando Sentinel.
It’s a formidable addition to chef Michael Collantes’ Winter Park omakase, which was awarded a Michelin star in Florida’s inaugural year.
Coutts, said the inspector, demonstrated outstanding proficiency in recommending wines that added depth to the meal during the Michelin visits.
“His knowledge, confidence and approachability make Soseki guests feel comfortable when ordering wine. The inspectors were impressed by the thoughtful pairings and suggestions offered to accompany the unique cuisine.”
Awards like this one, said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, “create awareness around the entirety of the restaurant team and salute those whose efforts might sometimes be overlooked. We want to spotlight these important roles, so they attract talented professionals — for a healthy future of the dining industry and a positive dining experience for guests.”
New Orlando additions to the Guide this year: AVA MediterrAegean, Doshi, Edoboy. Juju, Kaya, Toledo, Twenty Pho Hour, Victoria & Albert’s, and YH Seafood Club, with four — Isan Zaap, Otto’s High Dive, Norigami, and Taste of Chengdu — receiving the Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes great food at a great value (restaurants where one can have two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for about $50).
Each of the restaurants selected in 2022, the Michelin Guide’s inaugural year in Florida, retained their place in the Guide save Miami’s Buya Izakaya, which has since closed its doors.
Tampa debuted on the star map this year, with three restaurants — Koya (Japanese), Lilac (contemporary) and Rocca (Italian) — earning one each. Additional Bibs in Orlando’s neighbor to the west went to Gorkhali Kitchen and Psomi. In Miami, the Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt, serving contemporary cuisine inside the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, was awarded a star as well, with restaurants Jaguar and Rosie’s joining the ranks of the Bib Gourmand-awarded.
In all, the inspectors awarded stars to 19 Florida restaurants. These include those from 2022 and 2023. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami tops the list as the only two-starred venue.
“As we typically see in Year 2 of a new Michelin Guide destination, the culinary scene is evolving,” said Poullennec. “Orlando chefs and restaurant teams are inspired to take their craft to the next level for their guests, which is the right motivation.”
Anonymous inspectors, he noted, revisit all the restaurants in the selection each year to re-evaluate the cuisine.
“They’re also doing research, visiting other restaurants for the first time and adding to the selection as they see fit — as part of the Michelin Guide’s ‘new additions’ installments throughout the year,” said Poullennec.
“I’m so extremely proud of David Tsan for his work at Norigami and the new Bib Gourmand,” said an elated Johnny Tung, who attended with his partners in Bento Group, noting that Miami and the venue made for a beautiful event location. “The people from Isan Zaap are super nice and so excited to be here, Chef Tiger (Tang, from Taste of Chengdu) is here and everyone who came is just so excited to be here representing Orlando.”
All of Florida’s Michelin-recommended restaurants can be found at guide.michelin.com and on the free Michelin Guide app.
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