x.com/hanno_sauer/status/2052291727738724823
1 correction found
he believes a Michelin-starred restaurant is a steakhouse, but just a really good one
This misstates what Scott Alexander wrote. In the cited essay he referred to a “Michelin-starred steakhouse” — a steakhouse that has Michelin stars — not to Michelin-starred restaurants in general as if they were all steakhouses.
Full reasoning
Scott Alexander’s essay does not say that a Michelin-starred restaurant is a steakhouse. The passage says: “the $100-a-plate Michelin-starred steakhouse.” Grammatically, that means a steakhouse that has Michelin stars.
That is different from saying he thinks a “Michelin-starred restaurant” means “a steakhouse, but better.” The post reverses the modifier and changes the meaning.
This matters because Michelin stars are not limited to steakhouses. The MICHELIN Guide explains that stars are awarded to restaurants for outstanding cooking, and its own listings include many cuisines besides steakhouse, such as sushi, French, Italian, Mexican, and others. So the post’s characterization is not a fair reading of the source text it refers to.
2 sources
- Contra Everyone On Taste - by Scott Alexander
The type of critic young Scott dreamed of could make true discoveries. They might learn that the family restaurant down the street makes a steak that beats the $100-a-plate Michelin-starred steakhouse.
- 1 Star – The MICHELIN Guide USA
The MICHELIN Guide’s U.S. 1-star listings include many cuisines, including French, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Seafood, and Steakhouse — showing Michelin stars are not synonymous with steakhouses.