An Evening of Culinary Stars: Unpacking the 2023 Florida Michelin Guide Event
By: Steve Turk
MIAMI — As the sun set on LoanDepot Park last night, the stars were just beginning to shine at the Florida Michelin Star event. It was an evening punctuated by celebration and recognition, as four new restaurants joined the revered ranks of Michelin-starred eateries in Florida.
This year's Michelin Guide, encompassing Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, awarded stars to a total of 19 establishments. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami held its position at the summit, retaining its two Michelin Stars. The 2023 selection includes a grand total of 144 restaurants, representing 38 types of cuisine that patrons will relish exploring.
"Florida has three distinct culinary hotspots that make the state a premier destination for gourmet-travelers," said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. He also expressed his delight at announcing three new one-star restaurants in Tampa — Koya, Lilac, and Rocca — and a one-star establishment in Miami Beach: Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt.
New Stars in the Sunshine State
Koya, helmed by Adriana and Eric Fralick, invites diners to an intimate eight-seat counter, where a tasting menu reveals a unique interpretation of Japanese cuisine. Their dishes surprise and delight, merging Eastern and Western culinary perspectives into unexpected creations. With seafood flown in weekly from Kagoshima market, every bite is a taste of luxury.
Lilac, John Fraser's chic concept nestled in the Edition hotel, offers a contemporary prix-fixe menu infused with Mediterranean flair, local ingredients, and French techniques. The restaurant's champagne cocktail cart, a delightful novelty, is part of the experience, as is the dramatic presentation of dishes like rosemary-smoked diver scallops.
Rocca showcases Chef Bryce Bonsack's fusion of New York sensibilities and Italian techniques. Here, guests are treated to an assortment of scrupulous pastas and innovative dishes. The mozzarella, hand-pulled to order in a tableside cart, is a showstopper, matched only by its exquisite flavor.
Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt, in the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, offers a vibrant tasting menu underpinned by French cuisine with distinct Asian influences. The starkly elegant dining space provides a calm backdrop to the menu's bold, rich flavors.
Recognizing Excellence
In addition to the stars, the Michelin Guide also bestowed 33 restaurants with the Bib Gourmand distinction, a recognition of great food offered at an outstanding value. This year, the award was evenly distributed across the state, with 18 in the Miami area, 11 in the Orlando area, and four in the Tampa area.
On top of the Bib Gourmand and Stars awards, four special awards were announced, celebrating the diversity and excellence of Florida's culinary scene.
Bridging Gastronomy and Hospitality
The Michelin Guide not only sets a benchmark in gastronomy but also in the hospitality industry. Alongside the restaurant selection, the Michelin Guide includes a curation of unique and exciting places to stay in Florida and worldwide. Ranging from sustainability pioneers like the Hotel Greystone to cutting-edge luxury designs like the Tampa EDITION, the selection caters to all tastes and budgets.
As the evening concluded, it was clear that the Florida culinary scene continues to bloom under the stars. The Michelin Guide serves as a testament to the state's culinary talents and a beacon for gourmands worldwide. Florida, it seems, is ready to welcome the world to its table.
