These 5 East Village restaurants are seeing Michelin stars

[Ko file photo]

ICYMI: Back on Monday, Michelin announced its 2020 Starred Selections for New York City restaurants ... for the 15th edition of the "Michelin Guide New York City and Westchester County."

Five East Village restaurants are on the list of selections, including for the first time — Ukiyo at 239 E. Fifth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square.

Here's what Michelin had to say about the place from the wife-and-husband team behind fellow Michelin-starred Jewel Bako: "This lovely counter run by Chef Marco Prins is a delight for its high-quality ingredients and impeccable seasoning."

And the rest...

Two Stars, "excellent cooking, worth a detour"
• Momofuku Ko, 8 Extra Place

One Star, "high quality cooking, worth a stop"
• Jewel Bako, 239 E. Fifth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square

• Kanoyama, 175 Second Ave. at 11th Street

• Tuome, 536 E. Fifth St. between Avenue A and Avenue B

Meanwhile, Kyo Ya, 94 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, was dropped from the list. Chikara Sono, their longtime chef, left at the end of March.

Michelin released the list of Bib Gourmands last week.

These 3 East Village restaurants make list of new Bib Gourmands

[Violet on 5th Street between Avenue A and Avenue B]

Michelin yesterday released the list of Bib Gourmand restaurants in New York City for 2020, and three East Village establishments made it on for the first time.

Background, per the news release: "Introduced in 1997, the Bib Gourmands are awarded to restaurants that earn the attention of Michelin inspectors for an affordable and remarkable dining experience. Bib Gourmand restaurants offer a full menu of a starter, main course and dessert, making it possible to order two courses and a glass of wine or dessert for around $40 or less (tax and gratuity not included)."

Here’s the list of new East Village Bib Gourmands, with a short description of each restaurant that Michelin provided...

• Ruffian, 125 E. Seventh St.
"This natural wine bar offers 20 counter seats and a concise, well-executed menu."

• Van Đa, 234 E. Fourth St.
"Showcasing an updated take on Vietnamese cuisine, this new cafe offers reinvented street food signatures and a menu divided by region: Hue, Hanoi and Saigon."

• Violet, 511 E. Fifth St.
"This charming restaurant is notable for its unique focus on thin, crispy, grilled pizza inspired by the iconic Al Forno in Providence, Rhode Island."

And local holdovers from 2019...

• Bar Primi
• Double Zero
• Hunan Bistro
• Katz's
• Luzzo's
• MáLà Project
• Momofuku Noodle Bar
• Momofuku Ssäm Bar
• Prune
• Soba-Ya
• Somtum Der

The 2020 Michelin-starred restaurants for New York City will be released on Monday.

New signage and a Michelin star for Tuome on 5th Street

Tuome just received some new signage on the previously unmarked storefront here at 536 E. Fifth St.between Avenue A and Avenue B.



This should make the low-key restaurant a little easier to find — especially after yesterday's announcement that it has received a Michelin star.

Tuome was one of 13 new entries to receive a star in NYC from the world's oldest restaurant guide. Here's what Michelin had to say:

Tuome presents a unique and highly personal cuisine. Inspectors found the recent menus to reflect the harmonious balance of sound cooking skills and enticing Asian flavors. Tuome is a charming neighborhood gem.

Meanwhile, several East Village restaurants were awarded again (same as last year):

Two stars:
• Momofuku Ko, 8 Extra Place

One Star:
• Jewel Bako, 239 E. Fifth St.

• Kanoyama, 175 Second Ave.

• Kyo Ya, 94 E. Seventh St.

You can find the full list of NYC recipients at Grub Street. Eater has analysis here.

Thomas Chen, an accountant turned cook/chef, opened Tuome in August 2014. He worked his way up through the kitchen ranks at Eleven Madison Park (three Michelin stars!) before Tuome.

The restaurant is open from 6-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

4 East Village restaurants earn Michelin stars

[Ko photo from August]

Michelin announced its 2018 Starred Selections for New York City restaurants yesterday ... for the 13th edition of the "Michelin Guide New York City."

Four East Village restaurants are on the list of selections:

Two Stars, "excellent cooking, worth a detour"
• Momofuku Ko, 8 Extra Place

One Star, "high quality cooking, worth a stop"
• Jewel Bako, 239 E. Fifth St. between Second Avenue and Cooper Square

• Kanoyama, 175 Second Ave. at 11th Street

• Kyo Ya, 94 E. Seventh St. between Avenue A and First Avenue

Eater reports that Cagen, 414 E. Ninth St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, was dropped from the list.

In summation, the 2018 NYC selections include:
• 5 restaurants with three stars
• 11 restaurants with two stars
• 56 restaurants with one star
• 127 restaurants with a Bib Gourmand (13 East Village restaurants made this list)