MICHELIN GUIDE 2015: NEW ENTRIES AND MORE. ONE STAR FOR THE FIRST JAPANESE RESTAURANT IN ITALY, "IYO" IN MILAN, AND ONE STAR FOR “L’IMBUTO”, THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART IN LUCCA. LOMBARDY IS THE TOP REGION; ROME AND NAPLES TOP CITIES

A total of 332 venues starred this edition (3 more than 2014) and the 8 three stars restaurants are confirmed: "Reale" Castel di Sangro (L'Aquila);"Piazza Duomo" in Alba (Cuneo); "L'Osteria Francescana" in Modena; "Dal Pescatore" in Canneto (Mantova); "Le Calande” in Rubano (Padua); ''Enoteca Pinchiorri" in Florence; "La Pergola" of the Rome Cavalieri in Rome and "Da Vittorio" in Brusaporto (Bergamo). There are no new entries among the "2 stars", but a few changes, instead. "Rigoletto" in Reggiolo (Reggio Emilia) lost both stars while "Il Desco" in Verona and "Il Pelicano" in Porto Ercole (Grosseto) were reduced to one star. Giuseppe Mancino of "Il Piccolo Principe" in Viareggio and Francesco Esposito of "Taverna Estia" in Brusciano (Naples) were awarded two stars each. These are the top verdicts of "Michelin Guide" 2015 edition, the most anticipated and dreaded guide to Italian restaurants, curated by Sergio Lovrinovich, presented today in Milan.


Lots of news about the 285 venues awarded “1 star”. 24 restaurants either were not awarded a star this year or lost it due to ceased activity.
There are, however, 27 new entries, including the first Japanese restaurant in Italy, the "Iyo" in Milan, chef Haruo Ichikawa. Another absolute first is the Macelleria Damini in Arzignano (Vicenza), historic family run butcher shop and restaurant for four generations. Another first, awarded one star is “L’imbuto” in Lucca the restaurant in the Museum of Contemporary Art, chef Cristiano Tomei, and "Le Tre Lune" in Calenzano (Florence), a restaurant set up by three friends, Matteo Lorenzini, Ilaria Di Marzio and Thomas Verni, who have combined their culinary experiences abroad to bring some French flavor to the Grand Duchy.

"We are pleased to celebrate 60 years of the excellence in Italian cuisine that has always transcended national borders," said the director of International Michelin Guide Michael Ellis, who added: "We cannot create stars, but Italy remains one of the most dynamic culinary destinations in the world”. Italy is second in number of stars only to France.
The “Red Guide”, starting with edition 2015 will also be available in "app" to help travelers find the restaurants and hotels mentioned in the guide more easily. There are more than 6.500 addresses, including 1.330 restaurants that offer quality meals for under 25 euros, and 296 "Bib Gourmand" venues that offer typically regional quality cuisine, under 30 euros (35 euros in capital cities and top tourist resorts). The Lombardy region confirms its leadership with 58 starred restaurants, followed by Piedmont with 39 and Campania with 35. Tuscany is in 4th place with 30, and it is also the region with the most new entries, 7.
Rome is the capital city and has the most starred restaurants, 20, tied with Naples, but it also holds the record of 2 stars restaurants. Bolzano, with 19 starred restaurants, drops from first to third place.