News, Tips & Bargains : New Stars at Michelin

Two restaurants in London and one near Annecy, France, have been promoted to three-star ratings in the 1995 Michelin Guides for France and Britain. Marc Veyrat, chef-owner of Auberge de l’Eridan, known for his use of wild herbs, won the coveted ranking along with London’s The Restaurant in Hyde Park and Chez Nico in Mayfair.

Two other well-known French establishments lost a star: The longtime three-star restaurant Pic, in Valence, was reduced to two stars, and Andre Daguin’s restaurant, France, in Auch, went from two stars to one. Parisian fish restaurant, Paul Minchelli, won a single star.

In Italy, Restaurant Vissani in Baschi, in the Umbria region, was elevated to two stars, and Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence was reduced from three to two.

In Germany, Munich’s three-star Aubergine was reduced to a single star and in Brussels, the La Maison du Cygne lost its single star.

New Nonstop From LAX to Tel Aviv

El Al will begin nonstop service from Los Angeles International Airport to Tel Aviv once a week starting June 24. The 13 1/2-hour flights, which will depart at 10:30 p.m. Saturdays, will be the only nonstop flights to Israel from the West Coast, a spokeswoman said. El Al also offers connecting flights from LAX through JFK Airport in New York on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

In connection with the new service, El Al will offer two early check-in sites--in Beverly Hills and North Hollywood--where travelers can check their luggage and pick up boarding passes on Fridays. Doing so means they have to be at the airport an hour and 15 minutes before departure instead of the usual 2 1/2 hours that the airline requires. Round-trip fares to Tel Aviv range $1,221-$1,598. Information: (800) 223-6700.

Bullet Trains Running Again

Japanese authorities said bullet train service between Osaka, Kobe, Nishi-Akashi and Himeji will resume Monday, about a month ahead of schedule. The line was damaged by the Jan. 17 earthquake. Work continues on smaller rail lines around Kobe, with operations expected to resume in June.

Virginia’s Garden Show

More than 250 of Virginia’s finest homes, gardens and landmarks will be open for Historic Garden Week from April 22 to 29. Sponsored by the Garden Club of Virginia, the 62nd annual event will feature 36 tours of city and country gardens as well as 18th-, 19th- and 20th-Century homes. Individual site admissions cost $2-$4. A free brochure is available from Historic Garden Week, 12 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219; tel. (804) 644-7776.