Michelin Selects Best Restaurants Aan Hotels In New York City

























"New York City's cultural diversity makes it one of the most interesting cities in the world, and restaurateurs have shown
great determination and hard work in developing high standards of gastronomy and service," commented Naret. "They
also have to sustain creativity and progressive thinking in a market that is so abundant, so fast-changing and therefore
unique. We felt it was important to expand the Michelin Guide beyond Europe to acknowledge the achievements and the
talent of these people who are making New York City an undisputed leader in fine restaurants and hotels."

Four restaurants, Per Se, Le Bernardin, Alain Ducasse, and Jean-Georges, received a three-star rating for providing "an
exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey." Four restaurants received a two-star rating providing "excellent cooking, worth
a detour," 31 received a one-star rating for being "a very good restaurant in its category" and 468 additional restaurants
were selected in the guide as they provide a quality experience that Michelin recommends trying. All five boroughs were
considered for the guide: 25 establishments were ultimately included in Brooklyn (2 of these Brooklyn restaurants received
stars), 13 establishments were selected in Queens, 4 in Staten Island, 2 in the Bronx, and 463 in Manhattan (37 of these
Manhattan restaurants have received stars).

The Michelin Guide New York City 2006 offers a selection of 507 restaurants and 50 hotels in every category of cuisine and
comfort at prices to suit all budgets. One, two or three Michelin stars identify restaurants that deserve recognition for the
particularly fine quality of their cuisine. Just being included among the 507 selected restaurants (out of the 23,000 in New
York City's five boroughs) is, however, a distinction in itself. To evaluate the culinary and service aspect of each restaurant
and hotel, highly trained Michelin inspectors anonymously visited each establishment and provided objective evaluations.
Stars are awarded by the Michelin inspectors to restaurants offering the finest cooking, regardless of the style of cuisine and
the level of comfort. Stars are awarded according to five criteria, the quality of products, the mastering of flavors and
cooking, the "personality" of the cuisine, the value for money and the consistency.
Premier edition of the Michelin Guide in North America features 39 star-rated
establishments

NEW YORK (November 1, 2005) –  Michelin announced today the contents of its first
restaurant and hotel guide in North America, the Michelin Guide New York City 2006,
which arrives in stores Friday, Nov. 4. Over the last eight months, suspense has been
building over which restaurants and hotels would garner listings in the guide, which
has existed for more than a century throughout Europe. Today, Michelin produces 13
(hotel and restaurant) guides annually, covering 21 countries; 15 Must See Guides
(designed to highlight the best of a destination for a quick trip in North America), 60
Green Guides (geared toward longer trips around the world, outlining the history,
culture, art and architecture of a location), and one wine guide, "The Wine Regions of
France."

"Travelers from across the globe have long considered New York to be one of the
world's most exciting travel and culinary destinations," said Jim Micali, chairman and
president of Michelin North America, Inc. "The arrival of the Michelin Guide will
enable visitors, as well as New Yorkers, to enjoy this wonderful city to the fullest."

According to Jean-Luc Naret, director of publications for the Michelin Guide, Michelin
decided to publish its first North American guide in New York because of the city's
reputation as one of the world's leading fine-dining and lodging centers, on par with
international destinations such as London, Madrid or Paris.