Jack the Horse Tavern Gets 'Bib Gourmand' Michelin Listing, and Some Are Asking Why

If you haven't already been to Jack the Horse Tavern, you may want to ride your pony over there now knowing it's on Michelin's 'Bib Gourmand' list. What the listing means is that Michelin recommends the establishment as a place you can go and eat a good meal, inclusive of two courses and a glass of wine, for $40 or less, not including tax and gratuity.

What's somewhat puzzling for some current and former patrons is that very, very few options exist on the dinner menu that allow you to have a glass of wine, an appetizer and an entree for $40 or less, which is why some are questioning the 'Bib Gourmand' listing. I did a double check on the Sunday brunch menu and, as you would expect, more options exist that allow you to get two courses and a glass of wine for $40 or less. That's just the more specialized Sunday brunch menu though, and not the regular dinner menu.

Other patrons questioned why they're listed in the Michelin Guide since the service is so bad, or because the place is so cramped.

To be fair, though, Michelin criteria for a Bib Gourmand restaurant doesn't necessitate that all of the prices of the menu selections equal $40 or less for two courses and a glass of wine or dessert. "Bib Gourmand restaurants...are restaurants serving two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less," says Michelin.

In the strictest sense, the restaurant may only offer one appetizer, one entree and one glass of wine or dessert that equal $40 or less, but the Michelin Inspector may have concluded that one meal is a very good value -- such a good value that it's worth the trip to the restaurant.

Michelin says a restaurant makes it onto the 'Bib Gourmand' list after first considering it, inspecting it with a view to giving it a star, or two or three. Although Jack the Horse Tavern didn't get a star, it was favored by the Michelin Inspector for its "Good Value," delivering the most value to its customers.

Michelin inspection of a restaurant doesn't include restaurant service and décor. Lots of things are considered, including Michelin readers' opinions, but all things about the food (and drink) are the primary focus.

Downtown Brooklyn should be overjoyed Jack the Horse Tavern made the Michelin 'Bib Gourmand' list. "Bib Gourmand restaurants represent the best hidden culinary value that the city has to offer." And you can be assured, Michelin did their homework on the culinary scene throughout the borough. They didn't just hand a Bib Gourmand listing to Jack the Horse Tavern. Whichever meal the Michelin Inspector ate, he thought it to be a "perfect meal for a reasonable price."

Sources:

New York's Tasty Hidden Gems Revealed! 21 New NYC Restaurants Earn 'Bib Gourmand' Status in Michelin Guide New York City 2011, Press Release, http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Newsroom/MultiQuery.aspx?SiteName=michelin&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=678723&XSL=Release&IncludeChildren=True

Claude Scales, Jack the Horse Gets Michelin Listing, Brooklyn Heights Blog, http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/23020