It was a star-studded night for Orlando at the ceremony Thursday evening in Tampa to announce additions to the Miami, Tampa and Orlando Michelin Guide. Victoria & Albert’s, one of the Southeast’s most celebrated restaurants, finally achieved Michelin stardom, as was expected. But also earning a star along with V&A’s chef Matthew Sower were Camile (Tung Phan), Natsu (Stone Lin) and Papa Llama (Kevin Ruiz).
A new award this year, the Green Star, celebrating sustainability, went to Lordfer Lalicon of Kaya in the Mills 50 District.
They join Kadence, Soseki and Capa, the other Central Florida restaurants with one star. Knife & Spoon, a two-time previous one-star restaurant, did not retain its star but remains a recommended restaurant in the guide.
In addition, Israel Perez, Victoria & Albert’s longtime manager and sommelier, was given the award for Service, one of the night’s special awards.
Following the ceremony, Sower said, “It’s an honor to be standing on the stage and to represent the history and legacy of Victoria & Albert’s, it’s long and distinguished and I couldn’t be more happy to be the one wearing the jacket tonight.” He gave a nod to V&A’s longtime chef Scott Hunnel who also attended the ceremony. Hunnel said he was glad to see the team get the recognition but said the restaurant wouldn’t rest on its laurels. “We’re going to new heights,” he said.
Justin Levaughn of Otto’s High Dive in the Milk District won the award for Exceptional Cocktails, another of the special awards of the evening. Otto’s High Dive was named a Bib Gourmand restaurant last year.
As previously announced, Orlando’s Zaru and Sushi Saint were named Bib Gourmand restaurants in this year’s guide. Bib Gourmand selections are meant for restaurants that offer exceptional food at an exceptional value, which makes the choice of the somewhat pricy Sushi Saint curious. (Value is relative; an argument could be made that Victoria & Albert’s offers exceptional quality for less than you’d expect to pay.)
Swine & Sons lost its Bib Gourmand designation. All levels of Michelin Awards must be renewed each year. Papa Llama was a Bib Gourmand last year making it even more extraordinary to elevate to a star.
The only other previously named Orlando addition – Chuan Fu – enters the guide as a recommended restaurant.
Orlando now has 30 recommended restaurants, 11 Bib Gourmands and seven starred restaurants.
The invitation-only ceremony was held at the Tampa Edition hotel.
Victoria & Albert’s was named a recommended restaurant in last year’s guide, which surprise many (me) who were wondering if it would come in with one or two stars. It had not reopened after the pandemic for the first Florida edition in 2022.
Michelin rates restaurants with one to three stars. Only two-starred L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Miami has more than one. It retained both stars in Thursday’s ceremony.
Additions were also announced for Tampa and Miami (only those cities and Orlando are included in the Florida guide). See all the additions here.
