28 Feb 2007: The new red Michelin Guide to France came out earlier. There was no mention of the Blanche Neige in the press release of stars awarded which was extremely surprising and puzzling to us.

Late last year the restaurant had indicated they thought they’d had a visit from a Michelin inspector and, based on our experience of starred restaurants in the region, we were expecting the Blanche Neige to be awarded a star. Not even a “Bib Gourmand”. The restaurant was also missing from another guide, the Bottin Gourmand, which came out at last November. Puzzling since it has had a 15/20 rating in GaultMillau for the past two years.

Our other favourite restaurant, the Auberge Frankenbourg in la Vancelle, retained the * it acquired a couple of years ago; it has also had 15/20 from GaultMillau for the past few years.

Hopefully we’ll find out more on our next visit but I wonder whether they were inspected or whether the rumours of guides and back-handers have some truth?

Update 8 Mar 2007: Having now seen a printed copy of the guide I have found the Blanche Neige was awarded two red knives and forks.

Michelin Guide FAQs http://www.michelin.co.uk/travel/downloads/Guide%20FAQs.DOC