World renowned sushi restaurant loses its three Michelin stars because it is too exclusive - National Post

One of the world’s famed sushi restaurants, Sukiyabashi Jiro, has lost its three Michelin stars because it is no longer open to the public. 

“We recognize Sukiyabashi Jiro does not accept reservations from the general public, which makes it out of our scope,” said a Michelin Guide spokesperson. “It was not true to say the restaurant lost stars but it is not subject to coverage in our guide. Michelin’s policy is to introduce restaurants where everybody can go to eat.”

Known to many as Sushi Jiro, it’s received a three-star rating from Michelin each year since 2007, which is when the culinary guide released its first Tokyo edition. 

It’s known to be the restaurant where Barack Obama dined in 2014 with Shino Abe, the Japanese prime minister. Obama said the sushi was “the best I’ve ever had”, which explains why it’s also seen guests such as Hugh Jackman, David Beckham, Anne Hathaway and chef Joël Robuchon. It was also the subject of a 2011 documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”.

Sushi Jiro’s website said it was “currently experiencing difficulties in accepting reservations” and apologized for “any inconvenience to our valued customers”.

The website also added that the situation is likely to continue, since it can only seat up to 10 guests at a time.

The owner, Jiro Ono, who’s at least 90 years old, is still serving sushi at the restaurant, alongside his eldest son, Yoshikazu. His other son also runs a branch of the restaurant, which kept its two-star Michelin rating since it’s still open to the public. 

The fame restaurant opened in the Ginza district in 1965. Those who manage to get a reservation, need to be ready to spend at least 40,000 yen (around $485) for the chef’s selection. They also need to either be regulars, book through a concierge at their luxury hotel, or simply have special connections.

If you’re not able to reserve a seat, don’t worry. Michelin’s 2020 guide lists 226 starred restaurants in Tokyo, the most for any city in the world.

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November 27, 2019 at 12:29AM