Greenpoint's Restaurant Yuu earns the borough's only new Michelin star

The French-omakase hotspot Restaurant Yuu earned its first star Tuesday; River Café and Claro lost their stars

The 2023 Michelin Guide awards were given out to the city’s top restaurants at a raucous party in Tribeca Tuesday night. Most starred Brooklyn establishments retained their spots on the coveted list. But the borough’s biggest winner — and the only in Kings County to receive a new star — was Restaurant Yuu, a French-inspired omakase restaurant in Greenpoint.

Chef Yuu Shiman opened the pricey spot (the 18-course tasting menu costs $250) in May to rave reviews. Now that the restaurant has a star, good luck getting a reservation.

Elsewhere in the borough, Oxalis, in Prospect Heights, kept its single star, although it will be relocating later this year after a five-year run. A new cafe from the same owners will be taking its place. Oxalis will reopen in a new location nearby, according to Eater.

Also on the one-star list is Clover Hill in Dumbo, as well as the Four Horsemen and Francie in Williamsburg.

In Michelin verbiage, one star means “high quality cooking, worth a stop.” Two stars signify “excellent cooking that is worth a detour” (which is perhaps an understatement). Just 13 New York establishments have two stars. Seasonal Scandinavian eatery Aska in Williamsburg is the only Brooklyn-based restaurant to claim that honor, six years running.

A three-star restaurant is one that offers “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.” You can see all starred New York restaurants here.

Anonymous inspectors examine the restaurants all year. This year’s judging ending in September.

Cafe Mars, the spunky Italian restaurant in Carroll Gardens, received the special 2023 Service Award Winner for its beverage director Madalyn Summers. To her, offering good service is all about creating a “memorable and joyful experience,” she told Michelin.

Among the losers: perennial wedding hotspot River Café lost its star. So, too, did Claro, the Oaxacan-influenced restaurant in Gowanus. If it’s any consolation, Peter Luger, which lost its star last year, didn’t earn it back either.