We’re not talking about the kind of restaurants where the waiter judges your life choices based on how you hold your fork. No, these new stars are surprisingly down-to-earth, if a little obsessed with tweezers. One new star went to La Dame de Pic in the City, a place where a carrot is treated with more respect than most of us treat our houseplants. You’ll eat a dish that looks like a tiny, edible garden, and you’ll feel a bit bad for chewing it.
Another big winner was Rovi in Fitzrovia, Yotam Ottolenghi’s veggie-forward spot. Getting a star for vegetables is like winning an Oscar for best supporting actor in a mime film—very difficult and deeply impressive. The food is so cleverly spiced that you’ll forget you’re not eating a steak and start texting your carnivore friends about the joys of a perfectly charred cauliflower.
Why You Should Actually Care (Even if You Can’t Cook)
You might think “Michelin star” just means tiny portions on huge plates. And okay, yes, that’s partially true. But these restaurants aren’t just about the food; they’re about the feeling. Imagine the pure joy of finding a parking spot right outside your flat. Now imagine that feeling, but covered in truffle foam.
For example, the newly starred Humo in Mayfair is all about wood-fire cooking. It smells like the best barbecue you’ve ever been to, but instead of paper plates, you get hand-thrown ceramics. The waiter explains where your pork was raised like it’s a long-lost relative. You nod seriously, even though you’re thinking, “Just let me eat the pig.”
