Michelin Announces 2012 Bib Gourmand List

By Anthony Todd in Food on Nov 9, 2011 4:40PM

The Michelin Guide released their 2012 Bib Gourmand winners late last night. These are our favorite awards, even better than the restaurants that earn those coveted stars. Not only do they come with a super-cool logo, chalked in the night by Michelin's team of restaurant ninjas, they signify "affordable" restaurants. [Of course, looking at this list, we must point out that Michelin's version of affordable (an appetizer, an entree and a glass of wine for $40) might be a stretch.]

15 new restaurants made the list, bringing the total to 56. A few restaurants were dropped from this year's list, notably the shuttered Kith and Kin and Otom. Speaking of Otom, its successor iNG didn't make the list - a potential star contender, or simply too expensive?

For Michelin groupies, this is only the run-up to the stars, which will be announced next week. However, if you like speculation, it may provide some clues. Bib Gourmand winners don't usually get stars, so some potential winners may be off the list. of particular note in this regard is Avec, a potential one-star contender that many foodies felt was ignored last year. Boka Group is on a roller-coaster ride of emotions this morning: GT Fish & Oyster and Perennial Virant joined Girl and the Goat on the list. However, that likely means neither of them are up for a star either. On the plus side, this is a place for Michelin to recognize ethnic restaurants - we're especially happy to see Lao Sze Chuan getting some love.

Here's the full list. The entries in bold are new this year.

Ann Sather
Arami
Avec
Belly Shack
Bistronomic
The Bristol
Browntrout
Ceres’ Table
Cumin
De Cero
deca
DeCOLORES
Fogon
Frontera Grill
Gemini Bistro
Gilt Bar
Girl & The Goat
Green Zebra
GT Fish & Oyster
Han 202
Hopleaf
Jaipur
Jin Thai
Kabul House
La Creperie
La Petite Folie
Lao Sze Chuan
Los Nopales
Lula Café
M. Henry
Maude’s Liquor Bar
Mexique
Mixteco Grill
Mundial Cocina Mestiza
Nana
Nightwood
Opart Thai House
Owen & Engine
Paramount Room
Perennial Virant
The Publican
The Purple Pig
Raj Darbar
Riccardo Trattoria
Sen
Smak-Tak
Smoque BBQ
Sol de Mexico
Spacca Napoli
Taste of Peru
Thai Village
Twin Anchors
Urban Belly
West Town Tavern
Xni-Pec de Yucatan
Yolo