From Mighty Michelin, Le Crocodile Gains That Third Star

The 80th edition of the venerable Michelin food and travel guide was published in France on Thursday with the news that Le Crocodile in Strasbourg, has been added to the guide’s three-star ranking. The newest member of the Michelin firmament brings the guide’s number of three-star restaurants in France to just 19 restaurants.

Le Crocodile, founded about 1790, was bought by its present owner/chef, Emile Jung, in 1971. Jung earned his first Michelin star at the restaurant the following year, and his second star in 1975.

Shut out of the three-star category was Paris’ long-favored three-star candidate, Guy Savoy, which almost every established French critic argues is among the best and most consistent restaurants in France.

Paris is also abuzz over the demotion of four prominent two-star restaurants that were dropped to one star. They include the Chantecler at the Hotel Negresco in Nice (penalized because its high-profile chef, Jacques Maximin, left to open his own restaurant) and the Beau Rivage Condrieu, whose longtime patronne , Paulette Castaing, retired last year and sold the restaurant.

The guide, available in the United States in April, is expected to sell for $17.95.