Pierre Koffmann Slams Michelin’s ‘Rubbish’ Star Choices

French megastar decries Michelin Guide’s London judgment

Pierre Koffmann has slammed Michelin’s ability to judge one-star restaurants as “rubbish,” at a talk for London Restaurant Festival. Koffmann claimed that, “Michelin tries to be for young people. It is one of few guides you cannot really trust, except for maybe a three-star type of restaurant, but for one star it is terrible,” according to Big Hospitality. Koffmann’s London restaurant, La Tante Claire, of course, earned three stars in the 1980s; a trusted judgment. Koffmann also claimed that he has to “go to The Ritz” to eat game, because “not many young chefs are cooking it.” Lyle’s, Noble Rot, The Quality Chop House, Anglo, Leroy, Holborn Dining Room, Kiln, Littleduck the Picklery, Ducksoup, The Dairy, The Clove Club, Padella, Salon, Trullo, and 40 Maltby Street were all unavailable for comment.

Renowned Mayfair Indian restaurant wants its star back

Tamarind will reopen with a concerted effort to win that “rubbish” Michelin star. The renowned Mayfair Indian restaurant, the first of its kind in London to win a star, is reopening with Karunesh Khanna and Manav Tuli at the helm. Khanna — former head chef at Michelin-starred Amaya — told Hot Dinners that: “one of our goals is to win back the Michelin star as quickly as possible, but it’s just as important to both of us to create a menu and restaurant that is instantly recognised as one of the best of its genre.”

Tamarind [Official Photo]

Longstanding Italian cafe chain closes after 16 years

Caffe Fratelli has closed all of its cafe/delis with immediate effect. A message on the chain’s now dormant website reads: “Please note that the Caffè Fratelli website has now been taken down.Thank you to all our loyal customers who have been visiting our shops for the past 16 years.We wish you all the best for the future.”

Gizzi Erskine’s (second) Mare Street Market restaurant is off

Chef and food writer Gizzi Erskine will no longer open a second restaurant at Mare Street Market, next to Netil House. The project “to celebrate all things Hackney,” which Erskine co-founded with Marc-Francis Baum and Philip Way, told Big Hospitality that Erskine would now be acting as a “consultant.” Erskine had already — at least — partnered on the opening of The Dining Room.

Cult Copenhagen craft brewery opens bar with Rick Astley tomorrow

Mikkeller x Astley.