We're Seeing Stars, Michelin Stars! Five New DC Restaurants Get a Star

Husband & Wife team, Henji Cheung & Sarah Thompson, got the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award for Queen's English, for their creative Cantonese cuisine served up in Columbia Heights.

DC is the home of the youngest US chef to be awarded 2 Michelin stars

By Susan Able | Edible DC

After a crushing year for the restaurant and hospitality industry, good news sprinkled out like fairy dust over DC area restaurants this week. With crowds steadily increasing as vaccinations and good weather take hold, Michelin “celebrated the resiliency” of DC dining establishments by releasing today their list of the six new restaurants receiving stars.

Notable to the list was a restaurant with the youngest chef to get two stars, and also the fastest to go straight from opening to receiving two stars in just 5 months. Congratulations Chef Ryan Ratino, and to his newest concept, Jônt. Ratino had won acclaim for Bresca, and now has another win. From a press release he issued:

“I am without words.  This past year has been incredibly challenging for everyone, particularly our industry,” said Ratino.  “So being recognized by the Michelin Guide for two of our concepts – in the middle of a pandemic - makes me incredibly humble and grateful to have an amazing team of hardworking and talented individuals behind me.  This is a recognition to their passion, their dedication, and their love for hospitality. I couldn’t have asked for a better team – my family – to embark on this exciting journey.”

Notable to Ratino’s philosophy is sustainability.  Both at Jônt and Bresca, the team work together to interlace sustainability into the daily practices of restaurant operations such as recycling, composting, and sourcing products from purveyors who prioritize sustainable practices. 

From Michelin, the list of new starred restaurants, with inspector notes from each restaurant:

Jônt (Two Star)
This anticipated opening by Chef Ryan Ratino of Bresca is a showstopper with impeccable technique and pristine ingredients.

Cranes (One Star)
Spanish kaiseki is a unique concept for Washington, D.C. Chef Pepe Moncayo’s menu is delightful and “unbound by geography.”

Elcielo D.C. (One Star)
With locations in Medallín and Bogotá, this star-worthy tasting menu arrives to Washington D.C. courtesy of Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos. The level of showmanship and flair is admirable.

Rooster & Owl (One Star)
Chef/owner Yuan Tang runs this delightful new venture in partnership with his wife Carey Tang. The menu is contemporary with global influences from Asia to Europe and everywhere in between.

Xiquet (One Star)
Chef Danny Lledo crafts an outstanding paella, but that is only a small part of the menu that focuses on a contemporary take of the Valencia region of Spain. The kitchen cooks with confidence, touches of elegance, subtlety and, of course, flavor.

Another husband and wife team celebrate their new Michelin star, Yuan and Carey Tang of Rooster & Owl.

BIB GOURMAND AWARDS

Earlier in the week, Michelin awarded six new DC restaurants with the Bib Gourmand rating. Michelin describes Bib Gourmand as restaurants that have a simpler style of cooking, which is recognizable, easy-to-eat, and often something you feel you could attempt to replicate at home.’ There are two main criteria to qualify for a Bib Gourmand - the food must be delicious, and it must cost less than a set amount (depending on location) for three courses.

Here’s the list of DC’s new Bib Gourmands, with inspector notes from each restaurant:

Ellē
In addition to daily bread specials, there are also items such as uni grilled cheese slathered with raclette, caramelized onion, fermented chili and a labneh roasted vegetable salad.

Hitching Post
Fried chicken takes center stage. Like most other items on this menu, it is made-to-order daily and absolutely worth the wait.

Karma Modern Indian
In a city replete with options for Indian dining, Karma Modern Indian stands out, thanks to high-quality ingredients, thoughtful presentation and expert use of spices.

Makan
This kitchen serves cross-cultural deliciousness you expect from Malaysian cooking, which takes its culinary cues from India and China.

Queen's English
The menu reveals a modern take on Hong Kong plates. The high-heat wok dishes show a blend of fresh ingredients and balanced flavors.

Residents Café & Bar
The menu underscores an array of contemporary plates with Middle Eastern and European elements.

Newly awarded Bib Gourmand and Chef Ajay Kumar at Karma Modern Indian.