The 2007 Michelin guide to NYC restaurants (first one came out last year) has been released, and there have been a few changes, which have been noted below. Now you may not be familiar with Michelin because they just started publishing a guide to NYC restaurants last year. In fact the name probably reminds you vaguely of car stuff. You are right there — they produce travel guides and maps, among other review-oriented services.

The premise of their guides (travel or otherwise) is to recommend only things that are worthy. Yeah that sounds dumb and obvious but it’s actually quite handy after you’ve spent 30 minutes flipping through the Zagat’s, conference calling with your friends and exchanging countless texts over where to eat a goddamn dinner. The way I think about it is the less thinking I have to do, the better.

We have compiled the info about the changes from the 2006 list based on a NYT article.

Newly star-rated are in bold
Repeat appearances or downgraded restaurants are in normal font
Removed restaurants are crossed out

***
(Exceptional cuisine and worth the journey)

Le Bernadin
Per Se
Jean Georges
Alain Ducasse at Essex House (removed because they are closing and reopening elsewhere)

**
(Excellent cooking and worth a detour)

Del Posto
Masa
Bouley
Daniel

*

(A very good restaurant in its category)

Peter Luger
Saul
Jewel Bako
A Voce
Country Restaurant
Craft

Dévi
Fleur de Sel
Gramercy Tavern
Veritas
Annisa
Babbo
Cru Gotham Bar and Grill
Perry Street
Spotted Pig
Wallse
WD-50
Kurumazushi
Lever House
Oceana
Vong Cafe
Gray
The Modern
Fiamma Osteria
Danube (downgraded from **)
Aureole
Cafe Boulud
Etats-Unis
La Goulue
Sushi of Gari
Picholine
BLT Fish
Jo Jo
March
Nobu
Scalini Fedeli
Lo Scalco (closed)

Related:
Planning a Work Dinner
Michelin’s 2007 San Francisco ratings
Michelin 2006 NYC ratings
NYT coverage
NYMag with some foodie insider opinion on the ratings