Michelin Guide Announces Bib Gourmand Picks for 2012

Today the Michelin people announce the inclusions in the teaser Bib Gourmand category, leading up to the release of the restaurants that make the main part of the guide next week. The Bib Gourmand restaurants are far less exclusive and noteworthy than the few starred entrants that actually make the front pages of the guide. Mainly, Bib Gourmanders are highlighted for excellence on "a budget" (defined as two courses and wine or dessert for $40 a head), although debatably affordable place such as Cotogna, SPQR, The Slanted Door and Oenotri made the list this year. All together, there are 77 inclusions, all listed after the hop.

Next Tuesday, Oct. 25 Wednesday Oct. 26, the Michelin Guide will announce which restaurants made their 2012 Bay Area and Wine Country guide, revealing who was promoted, demoted, and removed entirely. The guide always offers a few surprises and head scratchers—remember what happened last year?—gives chefs another excuse to party, shed some tears, and inevitably leads to a debate about how influential the guide really is in the States.

A 16
Artisan Bistro
Bar Bambino
Bar Tartine
BarBersQ
Bay Wolf
Bellanico
Betelnut
Bistro 29
Bistro Aix
Bistro Jeanty
Boon Eat + Drink
Bottega
Burma Superstar
C Casa
Chapeau!
Chevalier
Chu
Colibrí
Contigo
Cook St. Helena
Corso
Cotogna
Crouching Tiger
Cucina Paradiso
Delarosa
Delfina
Domo
Dosa
eVe
Fish Story
FIVE
flour + water
Fringale
Gather
Hachi Ju Hachi
Hibiscus
Hot Box Grill
Incanto
Insalata's
Ippuku
K & L Bistro
Kabab & Curry's
Kappou Gomi
Kitchen (The)
Kokkari Estiatorio
LaSalette
Laurus
Le Charm
Le Garage
Mamacita
Marinitas
Monti's Rotisserie
Namu
Oenotri
Osteria Coppa
Perbacco
Picán
Plum
Risibisi
Rivoli
Sazón
Scopa
Slanted Door (The)
Slow Club
Sociale
SPQR
Starbelly
Sumika
Sushi Ran
Thai House
the girl & the fig
Troya
Willi's Wine Bar
Wood Tavern
Yank Sing
Zero Zero

· All Michelin Guide Coverage [~ ESF ~]
· All Michelin Guide 2011 Coverage [~ ESF ~]