11/14/2025
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Michelin has shaken the U.S. fine dining scene. Alinea, Masa, and the Inn at Little Washington have all been demoted from three stars to two ahead of the Northeast Cities ceremony, ending their reign at the pinnacle of American gastronomy. Each restaurant remains a temple of innovation—Grant Achatz’s Alinea continues to push modernist boundaries, Masa Takayama’s New York omakase remains unrivaled, and Patrick O’Connell’s rural Virginia haven still delivers farm-to-table magic. Michelin calls it a reassessment, but for diners and chefs alike, it’s a moment that underscores just how fiercely the guide maintains its standards.