Photo by Carly Cooper
A nervous energy hung in the air as chefs, mixologists, and restaurateurs mingled with media and sponsors at the 2024 Atlanta Michelin Guide Ceremony. Would Lazy Betty, Mujo, Hayakawa, Bacchanalia, and Atlas hold onto their one Michelin stars, awarded at the inaugural ceremony last year? Which other exceptional eateries would be recognized?
After 75 minutes of passed hors d’oeuvres prepared by Tony Conway’s Legendary Events (think bite-sized shrimp and grits and hamachi in a tiny cone) and live harp music, guests filtered into the Sidney Marcus Auditorium at the Georgia World Congress Center for the announcements. Emceed by James Beard Award winner Mike Jordan, the ceremony welcomed four new one Star restaurants into the Guide, as well as four new Bib Gourmand winners and four Recommended restaurants. O by Brush, Omakase Table, Spring, and Staplehouse each earned one star, while all of last year’s winners retained theirs. Now four of Atlanta’s one Michelin Star winners focus on sushi.
“It was really a surprise. I think I’m still in shock,” says Leonard Yu, Omakase Table chef/owner. “It’s motivation to work that much harder and take it to the next level.”
When Staplehouse was announced, the crowd got emotional, perhaps reflecting on its poignant origin story.
Photo by Carly Cooper
Michelin awards one Star based on anonymous inspectors’ assessments of five aspects of a restaurant: quality of ingredients, master of flavor and technique, harmony and balance in the dishes, consistency, and personality of the chef. Restaurants that haven’t reached the high standard of a Star but still offer high quality at a good value may be awarded a Bib Gourmand. This year, Masterpiece, Superica, Table & Main, and Whoopsie’s joined Antico Pizza Napoletana, Arepa Mia, Banshee, Bomb Biscuit Co., the Busy Bee, Estrellita, Fishmonger, Fred’s Meat & Bread, Heirloom Market BBQ, and Little Bear in the Bib Gourmand category.
“Being recognized by Michelin is really exciting for all of us and levels up the entire city’s dining scene,” says Superica’s Ford Fry. “Most important, I love that it supports the hard work of our people—I’m so proud of our restaurant teams.”
Just being listed in the Michelin guide is considered an honor. Hen Mother Cookhouse, which recently opened a second location, now comes Michelin Recommended, as does Kevin Gillespie’s Nadair, Ford Fry’s Little Sparrow, and Woo Nam Jeong Stone Bowl House. They join the Alden, BoccaLupo, Chai Pani, the Chastain, the Deer and the Dove, Delbar, Food Terminal, the General Muir, Georgia Boy, Gunshow, Han Il Kwan, Home Grown, Kamayan ATL, Kimball House, LanZhou Ramen, Lyla Lila, Marcel, Miller Union, Nam Phuong, Poor Hendrix, Snackboxe Bistro, Southern Belle, Storico Fresco Alimentari, Talat Market, Ticonderoga Club, Tiny Lou’s, Tomo, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, the White Bull, and Xi’an Gourmet House. Signifying sustainability, the Green Star was conferred to Bacchanalia and the Chastain in 2023. Both restaurants maintained the accomplishment in 2024.
The Special Awards are given to chefs, rather than restaurants. Winners included Miles Macquarrie of Kimball House for Exceptional Cocktails, Ashleigh McFadden of Nàdair for the Sommelier Award, Daniel Crawford of Spring for Outstanding Service, and Nolan Wynn of Banshee as the Young Chef/Culinary Professional. Wynn gave up his seat to his colleagues since tickets were limited and he attended last year’s event. His chef de cuisine Ben Lee Park accepted the award on Wynn’s behalf.
Also notably absent from the festivities were Nadair’s Kevin Gillespie, who is fighting Covid; Fry, who welcomed new puppies at home; and Staplehouse’s Kara Hidinger and Ryan Smith, who were dealing with a family emergency.
Atlantans certainly stepped up their fashion game with plenty of sequins in the room. Lazy Betty’s Aaron Phillips donned a three-piece suit, while Miller Union’s Steven Satterfield sported a neckerchief with a navy blazer. Other prominent attendees included Giovanni di Palma (Antico), Todd Ginsberg (Fred’s), and Erika Council (Bomb Biscuit).
