Michelin’s newest star: the NoMad restaurant.

October isn’t normally thought of as the start of a new year – unless you’re publishing a restaurant guide. This month biggies Michelin and Zagat unveiled their 2013 guides to New York City restaurants. As always, we snapped up copies (yes, we still like paper guides).

How did New York’s hotel restaurants fare? Thumbs up. The days when no one ate at a hotel restaurant except hotel guests too cowed by the city  are long gone.

Still, getting a nod from a tony guide book is no guarantee of longevity. Two hotel restaurants that scored 2013 Michelin stars – no mean feat – are closing. This summer Gilt, a two-M star restaurant at the New York Palace, is to be replaced by a new, somewhat formal restaurant by French chef Michel Richard, who operates restaurants in Washington, DC, Las Vegas and Carmel, California, Eater reports. Richard is, in fact, planning three properties at the Palace, including a bistro in a room currently used as an event space and a pastry shop in the lobby.

Michelin casualty #2 is Adour, Alain Ducasse’s pretty, pricey restaurant at the St. Regis.It will close November 17.  No word yet on its replacement.

We’re beginning to think a Michelin star for hotel restaurants is like being on the cover of

Cafe Boulud at the Surrey.

Time magazine once was, ie a big fat announcement that “You’ve peaked.”  L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at the Four Seasons scored two M stars in the 2012, but it’s history.

On the up side, the new(ish) NoMad, the new venture by Eleven Madison’s Daniel Humm and Will Guidara at the eponymous hotel, picked up a Michelin star.

Over at Zagat Jean Georges at the Trump International once again took the top spot with an overall score of 28 out of 30 (it also scored three stars from Michelin).

For foodies who love hotels, here are the results:

Fifty-two restaurants scored a single Michelin star (“a very good restaurant in its category.”) Five are at hotels, up from four in the 2012 guide.

+ Ai Fiori at the Setai Fifth Avenue

+ Adour at the St. Regis

+ The Breslin at Ace

+ Café Boulud at the Surrey

+ NoMad at the NoMad

Seven restaurants nabbed two Michelin stars (“excellent cuisine, worth a detour”).  Two are at hotels (for now).

+ Gilt at the New York Palace

+ Gordon Ramsay at The London NYC

Seven restaurants landed the coveted three Michelin stars (exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey).  Jean Georges was the lone hotel restaurant.

At Zagat seven hotels boast scores between 26 and 30 (extraordinary to perfection).

+ Jean Georges at Trump International (28)

+ Adour at the St. Regis (27)

+ Café Boulud at the Surrey (27)

+ Nougatine at Trump International (27)

+ Ai Fiori at Setai Fifth Avenue (26)

+ Benjamin Steak at the Dylan Hotel (26)

+ Maialino at the Gramercy (26)

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