frmichelin1-1, Exercise 1: Explaining the symbols

Model answer (check the details):

Stars are the guide's main award, given for the quality of the cooking. One star means a very good restaurant in its category, two mean excellent cooking worth a detour, and three mean exceptional cuisine worth a special journey. They are for the food, not for the decor, the service or the price.

The Bib Gourmand shows the face of the Michelin Man and marks good food at moderate prices. The Michelin Plate means that the inspectors thought the restaurant good enough to include, without a star or a Bib. The Green Star marks sustainable practices, and Keys (a newer award) mark hotels.

What a star does not tell you: how much the meal costs, whether the atmosphere suits you, how the restaurant treats its staff, whether it is good for children, or whether it suits your tastes. It also does not say what happened since the inspectors' last visit, because the awards are updated once a year.

Care: the wording and the range of symbols have changed over time. Check the current guide.