The Michelin Guide is back. The French dining bible officially drops its second DC edition on October 20 (the full list of starred restaurants will be unveiled October 17), but this morning they’ve released the list of their “Bib Gourmand” honorees—restaurants that excel at a cheap eats price point. In Michelin world, that’s $40 for two courses—apparently tapas-style portions count, given the number of share plate spots on the list—plus a glass of wine or dessert, excluding tax and tip.
The 2018 Bib Gourmand roster is identical to last year’s list, but with three new additions: Hazel, Ivy City Smokehouse, and Sfoglina. None of last year’s honorees dropped off. There are some happy surprises (it’s nice to see Ivy City Smokehouse get its due), but also some odd selections and omissions. We were surprised to see Bad Saint on this list, which makes the Filipino gem ineligible for a more prestigious Michelin star. Also, where are worthy restaurants like Estadio? Etto? Himitsu? All-Purpose? And while Van Ness restaurant Sfoglina can be lovely, you can’t get out of there for 40 bucks—the cheapest appetizers are $10, pastas start at $22, desserts are $10, and glasses of wine are $11 and up. If the larger Michelin guide is anything like the new Bib Gourmand lineup, there’s bound to be controversy.
The full list, below:
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
